Joseph Glynn (engineer)
Encyclopedia
Joseph Glynn, FRS was a British steam engine designer.
He was born the son of James Glynn of the Ouseburn Iron Foundry in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and taught by John Bruce at the Percy Street Academy.
He started work as an assistant to his father at the Ouseburn foundry until 1820 when he designed and built a steam engine to drain the Talkin Colliery in Cumberland. In 1821 he designed the system for street lighting by coal gas in Berwick-on-Tweed and subsequently in Aberdeen.
He moved to become Engineer at the Butterley Iron Company
in Derbyshire, where he improved the design of the emergent steam engines up to 200 horse power. He was then commissioned to design a series of marine steam engines for the General Steam Navigation Company and for the Royal Navy (HMS Firefly and HMS Firebrand
).
His most remembered achievement was the design and construction of steam engines to drain the Fens of eastern England, making it possible to farm many thousands of acres for the first time.
He wrote a book "Cranes, the Construction of, and other Machinery for Raising Heavy Bodies"
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1838. He died in London in 1863 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.
He was born the son of James Glynn of the Ouseburn Iron Foundry in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and taught by John Bruce at the Percy Street Academy.
He started work as an assistant to his father at the Ouseburn foundry until 1820 when he designed and built a steam engine to drain the Talkin Colliery in Cumberland. In 1821 he designed the system for street lighting by coal gas in Berwick-on-Tweed and subsequently in Aberdeen.
He moved to become Engineer at the Butterley Iron Company
Butterley Company
Butterley Engineering was an engineering company based in Ripley, Derbyshire. The company was formed from the Butterley Company which began as Benjamin Outram and Company in 1790 and existed until 2009.-Origins:...
in Derbyshire, where he improved the design of the emergent steam engines up to 200 horse power. He was then commissioned to design a series of marine steam engines for the General Steam Navigation Company and for the Royal Navy (HMS Firefly and HMS Firebrand
HMS Firebrand
Eleven ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Firebrand. was an 8-gun fireship launched in 1694 and wrecked in 1707. was an 8-gun fireship, previously the civilian vessel Charming Jenny. She was purchased in 1739 and sold in 1743....
).
His most remembered achievement was the design and construction of steam engines to drain the Fens of eastern England, making it possible to farm many thousands of acres for the first time.
He wrote a book "Cranes, the Construction of, and other Machinery for Raising Heavy Bodies"
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1838. He died in London in 1863 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.