15 Facts About Bryan Donkin

Bryan Donkin was involved with Thomas Telford's Caledonian Canal, Marc and Isambard Brunel's Thames Tunnel, and Charles Babbage's computer.

Bryan Donkin was an advisor to the government and held in high esteem by his peers.

Bryan Donkin's company continued to make such machines, and by 1851 had produced nearly 200 machines for use across the world.

Bryan Donkin retired from an active role in the business in 1846 at the age of 78.

Bryan Donkin was unhappy that he had lost so much money on the project, which he attributed to the engine's unexpected intricacy and the fact that he had very little to base his original cost estimate on, Edvard Scheutz having given him very little information.

Bryan Donkin supported Thomas Telford's 1814 proposals for a massive suspension bridge at Runcorn, and in 1821 reported along with Henry Maudslay on an iron bridge erected by Ralph Dodd at Springfield, Chelmsford.

In 1820 Bryan Donkin worked with Sir William Congreve on preventing the forgery of excise stamps, using a method of two-colour printing with compound printing plates.

Bryan Donkin died at home in the New Kent Road, London, on 27 February 1855.

Bryan Donkin was buried in a vault in Nunhead Cemetery.

Bryan Donkin was a member of the Society of Arts, becoming a vice-president and chairman of the Committee of Mechanics.

Bryan Donkin was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1838.

Bryan Donkin was one of the originators and a vice-president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, which was founded by Henry Robinson Palmer, one of his pupils.

Bryan Donkin helped the institution to obtain its royal charter in 1828, advancing 100 guineas towards the costs.

Bryan Donkin was elected a member of the Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers in 1835 and served as its president in 1843.

Bryan Donkin was a founder member of the Royal Astronomical Society and served on its council.