John Edward Thornycroft
Encyclopedia
Sir John Edward Thornycroft KBE (1872–1960) was a British
mechanical
and civil engineer
.
Thornycroft was born in Chiswick
in 1872 and was the eldest son of Sir John Isaac Thornycroft
, the founder of the Thornycroft shipbuilding company
. He was educated at St Paul’s School in London
before receiving engineering training at the Central Technical College in South Kensington
. Following this training Thornycroft joined his father's shipyard where he worked on the construction of ships. He became managing director of the company in 1901. He worked on the design and construction of vessels for the Royal Navy
during the First World War, a service for which he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1918. He also developed road vehicles including a steam powered wagon and an oil engined tractor. He was elected president of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
for 1937 to 1938. Thornycroft was also elected president of the Institute of Civil Engineers for the November 1942 to November 1943 session. In 1946 he was made a fellow of Imperial College London
. He resigned as Chairman of the Company on 20 July 1960, being then elected as President of the Company. Sir John died five months later on 21 November 1960.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
mechanical
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
and civil engineer
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
.
Thornycroft was born in Chiswick
Chiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
in 1872 and was the eldest son of Sir John Isaac Thornycroft
John Isaac Thornycroft
Sir John Isaac Thornycroft was a British shipbuilder, the founder of the Thornycroft shipbuilding company and member of the Thornycroft family.-Biography:He was born in 1843 to Mary Francis and Thomas Thornycroft....
, the founder of the Thornycroft shipbuilding company
John I. Thornycroft & Company
John I. Thornycroft & Company Limited, usually known simply as Thornycroft was a British shipbuilding firm started by John Isaac Thornycroft in the 19th century.-History:...
. He was educated at St Paul’s School in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
before receiving engineering training at the Central Technical College in South Kensington
South Kensington
South Kensington is a district in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London. It is a built-up area located 2.4 miles west south-west of Charing Cross....
. Following this training Thornycroft joined his father's shipyard where he worked on the construction of ships. He became managing director of the company in 1901. He worked on the design and construction of vessels for the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during the First World War, a service for which he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1918. He also developed road vehicles including a steam powered wagon and an oil engined tractor. He was elected president of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is the British engineering society based in central London, representing mechanical engineering. It is licensed by the Engineering Council UK to assess candidates for inclusion on ECUK's Register of professional Engineers...
for 1937 to 1938. Thornycroft was also elected president of the Institute of Civil Engineers for the November 1942 to November 1943 session. In 1946 he was made a fellow of Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
. He resigned as Chairman of the Company on 20 July 1960, being then elected as President of the Company. Sir John died five months later on 21 November 1960.