John B. Jervis

John B. Jervis

John Bloomfield Jervis (December 14, 1795 – January 12, 1885) was an American civil engineer. He was America's leading consulting engineer of the antebellum era (1820 – 1860). Jervis was a pioneer in the development of canals and railroads for the expanding United States. He designed and supervised the construction of five of America's earliest railroads, was chief engineer of three major canal projects, designed the first locomotive to run in America, designed and built the forty-one mile Croton Aqueduct – New York City's fresh water supply from 1842 to 1891 – and was a consulting engineer for the Boston water system.

Working as chief engineer for the Delaware and Hudson Canal and Railroad, he designed the Stourbridge Lion, as well as the first steam locomotives with a leading bogie that became the 4-2-0 locomotive type. The 4-2-0 type is called Jervis in his honor.

Jervis authored a book on economics, The Question of Labor and Capital (1877), helped found the Rome Iron Mills in upstate New York industry, and is the founder of the Rome, New York public library.

Read more about John B. Jervis:  Life and Career, Retirement and Legacy, Works

Famous quotes containing the words john b and/or john:

    Approval of what is approved of
    Is as false as a well-kept vow.
    Sir John Betjeman (1906–1984)

    Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
    —Bible: New Testament St. John the Divine, in Revelation, 22:20.

    from the penultimate verse in the New Testament; the last is: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”