20 Facts About Francis Spring

Francis Spring was born in Baltimore, County Cork, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on 20 January 1849 to Rev Edward Francis Spring and his wife Matilda.

Francis Spring was a descendant of the Spring family of County Kerry and a relation of Baron Monteagle of Brandon.

Francis Spring was educated at Midleton College and Trinity College Dublin.

Francis Spring served as Consulting Engineer to the Government of India and played a pivotal role in the development of railways in East India.

Francis Spring is credited with the construction of an acclaimed railway bridge across the Godavari River.

Francis Spring served as the Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, Under Secretary to the Government of Bengal and as the manager of the extensive East Coast Railway.

Francis Spring was Secretary to the Government of Madras with responsibility for railways in the region.

Francis Spring was a regular contributor to engineering and India-focused journals throughout his career.

Francis Spring was a member of the Madras Legislative Council between 1900 and 1901, and was a fellow of the University of Madras and the University of Calcutta.

Soon, Francis Spring developed an interest in him and lobbied for government support and sponsorship of his research studies in England.

In 1873, Francis Spring married Charlotte, the daughter of Mr Samuel Townsend JP.

Francis Spring founded the Royal Madras Yacht Club in 1911, which still exists as the premier sailing club in India.

Francis Spring retired in 1919, shortly after his seventieth birthday.

Francis Spring left India and moved to Jersey in the Channel Islands, where he lived for the last fourteen years of his life.

Francis Spring died at Saint Aubin on 25 August 1933 at the age of 84.

Francis Spring was a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers, Institute of Mechanical Engineers and American Society of Civil Engineers.

Francis Spring was the first person in Madras city to own a registered automobile.

Francis Spring was an honorary major in the South India Railway Volunteer Rifles.

Francis Spring was portrayed by Stephen Fry in the 2015 British biographical film The Man Who Knew Infinity, which recounts the story of Ramanujan's adult life and his career at Cambridge University.

Francis Spring was portrayed by Richard Walsh in the 2014 film Ramanujan.