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William Edwards (architect)
Encyclopedia
William Edwards was a Welsh Methodist minister
who also practised as a stonemason, architect
and bridge
engineer
.
Edwards was born in Eglwysilan, Glamorgan
, and began preaching in his early twenties. In 1745 he became joint pastor of a newly-established Independent chapel
at Groeswen, remaining in the post until his death. He is buried in the graveyard of Eglwysilan church.
Edwards' most famous creation was the Old Bridge
at Pontypridd
, built between 1746 and 1754. The contract included a "guarantee" clause, and Edwards actually constructed three successive bridges at the same site, with only the last surviving the torrential waters of the River Taff
. At 140 ft, the bridge was the largest single span in the world when it was constructed. Edwards' master-stroke was to lighten the weight of the stone by leaving "holes" in the lower part of the structure. The resulting construction still stands today, although another bridge next to it carries modern traffic. The bridge opened in 1755 and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2005.
Edwards also built bridges in Aberafan, Betws
, Cilycwm
Pontardawe
and Usk
, and he was responsible for the layout of Morriston
, the planned industrial village near Swansea.
Minister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
who also practised as a stonemason, architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
and bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
.
Edwards was born in Eglwysilan, Glamorgan
Glamorgan
Glamorgan or Glamorganshire is one of the thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. It was originally an early medieval kingdom of varying boundaries known as Glywysing until taken over by the Normans as a lordship. Glamorgan is latterly represented by the three...
, and began preaching in his early twenties. In 1745 he became joint pastor of a newly-established Independent chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
at Groeswen, remaining in the post until his death. He is buried in the graveyard of Eglwysilan church.
Famous Bridges
Old Bridge, Pontypridd
The Old Bridge , which is now also known as the William Edwards Bridge or Pontypridd Bridge, was originally known as the New Bridge or Newbridge, it is an arched single-span footbridge that spans the River Taff at Pontypridd in Wales. The bridge was built by William Edwards and was completed in 1756...
at Pontypridd
Pontypridd
Pontypridd is both a community and a principal town of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales and is situated 12 miles/19 km north of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff...
, built between 1746 and 1754. The contract included a "guarantee" clause, and Edwards actually constructed three successive bridges at the same site, with only the last surviving the torrential waters of the River Taff
River Taff
The River Taff is a large river in Wales. It rises as two rivers in the Brecon Beacons — the Taf Fechan and the Taf Fawr — before joining to form the Taff north of Merthyr Tydfil...
. At 140 ft, the bridge was the largest single span in the world when it was constructed. Edwards' master-stroke was to lighten the weight of the stone by leaving "holes" in the lower part of the structure. The resulting construction still stands today, although another bridge next to it carries modern traffic. The bridge opened in 1755 and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2005.
Edwards also built bridges in Aberafan, Betws
Betws
Betws is a small village on the River Amman, some 15 miles north of Swansea, Wales; it is part of the ecclesiastical parish of Betws and Ammanford...
, Cilycwm
Cilycwm
Cilycwm is a village and parish located in Carmarthenshire, West Wales.Cilycwm lies on the west bank of Afon Gwenlais, a tributary of the Tywi, north of the town of Llandovery...
Pontardawe
Pontardawe
Pontardawe is a town of some 5,000 inhabitants in the Swansea Valley in south Wales...
and Usk
Usk
Usk is a small town in Monmouthshire, Wales, situated 10 miles northeast of Newport.The River Usk flows through the town and is spanned by an ancient, arched stone bridge at the western entrance to the town. A castle above the town overlooks the ancient Anglo-Welsh border crossing - the river can...
, and he was responsible for the layout of Morriston
Morriston
Morriston is a community in the City and County of Swansea, Wales and falls within the Morriston ward. Morriston is sometimes referred to as a distinct town , however Morriston never had a town charter, and is now part of the continuous urban area around Swansea, the centre of which lies three...
, the planned industrial village near Swansea.