14 Facts About Thomas Yeoman

Thomas Yeoman was a millwright, surveyor and civil engineer who played a significant part in the early industrial revolution and became the first president of the first engineering society in the world, the Society of Civil Engineers, now known as the Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers.

Thomas Yeoman was here with his wife Sarah and their son James.

Thomas Yeoman was a notable member of the local Baptist Church in College Lane.

Thomas Yeoman's ventilators sold as far as Rotterdam, for use on the British merchant fleet.

Thomas Yeoman's talents extended to surveying, which he was already trying his hand at in 1752 when he drew up a map of the estate of the late Bartholomew Clarke of Hardingstone, a wealthy Turkey Merchant and grandfather of Edward Bouverie, who would later purchase Delapre Abbey.

In 1756, Thomas Yeoman moved to London where he advertised his services in The Gentleman's Magazine and took up residence in Little Peter Street, Westminster.

Thomas Yeoman had Admiralty contracts to install ventilators both in ships of the fleet and in their naval hospitals.

Thomas Yeoman ventilated the Drury Lane Theatre and the Houses of Parliament.

Thomas Yeoman was elected to the Society of Arts which was founded by his friend William Shipley in the 1760s.

Thomas Yeoman introduced other members and he was the active chairman of the Committee of Mechanics for many years.

Thomas Yeoman was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1764, described on his application citation as an Inspector of Ventilators in his Majestys Fleet.

In 1771 Smeaton and Thomas Yeoman were joined Robert Mylne, Joseph Nickalls, John Grundy, John Thompson, and James King at the King's Head in Holborn where they "agreed that the civil engineers of this Kingdom do form themselves into a Society".

Thomas Yeoman was elected the first president of a Society of Civil Engineers in 1771 which was later called the Smeatonian Society.

Thomas Yeoman died a widower in 1781, being buried in Bunhill Fields.