10 Facts About Henry Winstanley

Henry Winstanley was an English painter, engineer, and merchant who constructed the first Eddystone Lighthouse after losing two of his ships on the Eddystone rocks.

Henry Winstanley died while working on the project during the Great Storm of 1703.

Henry Winstanley designed a set of playing cards, which became very popular and sold well.

Henry Winstanley was appointed Clerk of Works at Audley End in 1679 on the death of his predecessor and held the post until 1701.

Henry Winstanley was well known in Essex for his fascination with mechanical and hydraulic gadgets.

Henry Winstanley had a house built for him at Littlebury, which he filled with whimsical mechanisms of his design and construction, and the "Essex House of Wonders" became a local landmark that was popular with visitors.

Henry Winstanley became a merchant, investing some of the money he had made from his work and commercial enterprises in five ships.

Henry Winstanley, therefore, had it rebuilt the following spring on a larger scale, with extra stonework and even more elaborate decoration.

Henry Winstanley was recorded as having expressed great faith in his construction, wishing he might be inside it during "the greatest storm there ever was".

Henry Winstanley was visiting the lighthouse that night to make repairs, and he lost his life.