The College for Civil Engineers in

Putney Putney () is a district of southwest London, England, in the London Borough of Wandsworth, southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London. History Putney is an ancient paris ...

, Southwest

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

, was one of the earliest educational establishments to teach

civil engineering Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage ...

History

A private college, it was founded in 1839 and initially based in Gordon House in

Kentish Town Kentish Town is an area of northwest London, England in the London Borough of Camden, immediately north of Camden Town. Less than four miles north of central London, Kentish Town has good transport connections and is situated close to the ope ...

but was relocated to two riverside mansions, Putney House and The Cedars, in Putney in August 1840. Fully titled as the College for Civil Engineers and of General, Practical and Scientific Education,Russell (2003), p.22-23. it was established under the presidency of the

Duke of Buccleuch Duke of Buccleuch (pronounced ), formerly also spelt Duke of Buccleugh, is a title in the Peerage of Scotland created twice on 20 April 1663, first for James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth and second suo jure for his wife Anne Scott, 4th Cou ...

, for the purpose of affording sound instruction in the theory and practice of civil engineering and architecture. At the time, the civil engineering profession tended to prefer pupillage routes and was sceptical about the quality of the engineers educational establishments produced. A lengthy 1840 article in ''The Civil Engineer and Architects' Journal'' (reproduced in ''Mechanics' Magazine and Journal of Science, Arts, and Manufactures'') condemned the College venture as "ridiculous" and a "clumsy imitation of the Polytechnic School" (presumably the

Royal Polytechnic Institution , mottoeng = The Lord is our Strength , type = Public , established = 1838: Royal Polytechnic Institution 1891: Polytechnic-Regent Street 1970: Polytechnic of Central London 1992: University of Westminster , endowment = £5.1 million ...

, founded in 1838), before concluding: :"We have been influenced by no prejudice against the college or its objects, but we feel that we have best done our duty both to it and our readers, by unsparingly denouncing what we consider an erroneous and inefficient system of education, and a certain delusion to those who have the misfortune to be its victims." The college was not a financial success and closed during the 1850s - sources variously suggest 1851, 1852 or 1857 - though local records suggest the college was demolished sometime before 1853.

Notable teachers

David T. Ansted David Thomas Ansted FRS (5 February 181413 May 1880) was an English professor of geology and author of numerous books on geology. His role as a teacher at Addiscombe Military Seminary, where future East India Company army officers were trained ...

(professor of geology, from 1845) * Oliver Byrne (professor of mathematics, 1839-1841) *

Samuel Clegg Samuel Clegg (2 March 1781 – 8 January 1861) was a British engineer, known mostly for his development of the gas works process. Biography Clegg was born at Manchester on 2 March 1781, received a scientific education under the care of Dr. Dalt ...

(professor of civil engineering and architecture from 1849) *Sir

Edward Frankland Sir Edward Frankland, (18 January 18259 August 1899) was an English chemist. He was one of the originators of organometallic chemistry and introduced the concept of combining power or valence. An expert in water quality and analysis, he was a ...

(chair of chemistry, c. 1847)Russell (2003), p.109. *

John Arthur Phillips John Arthur Phillips FRS, FCS (18 February 1822 – 5 January 1887) was a British geologist, metallurgist, and mining engineer. Life He was born at Polgooth, near St Austell in Cornwall the son of John Phillips, who at one time was occupied ...

(professor of metallurgy, 1848 to 1850) *Sir

Lyon Playfair Lyon Playfair, 1st Baron Playfair (1 May 1818 – 29 May 1898) was a British scientist and Liberal politician who was Postmaster-General from 1873 to 1874. Early life Playfair was born at Chunar, Bengal, the son of George Playfair (1782-1846) ...

(professor of chemistry)

Notable students

* Frederick Arnold * James B. Cook *

Parkin Jeffcock Parkin Jeffcock (27 October 1829 – 13 December 1866) was an English mining engineer who died trying to effect the rescue of miners during the Oaks mining disaster which eventually killed more than 350 people. Biography Parkin was born on 2 ...

*Sir Guilford Molesworth *

Edward Selby Smyth General Sir Edward Selby Smyth, (31 March 1819 22 September 1896) was a United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, British General officer, General. He served as the first Commander of the Canadian Army, General Officer Commanding the Militia ...

Henry Palfrey Stephenson Henry Palfrey Stephenson (27 March 1826 – 30 April 1890) was a Scottish-born civil engineer, and a founder of the Society of Engineers. The son of Major John Stephenson of the 6th Dragoon Guards, Stephenson was born at Portobello, near Edi ...

George Vesey Stewart George Vesey Stewart (1832–1920) was a notable New Zealand farmer, coloniser and local politician. He was born in Brighton, Sussex, England in about 1832. The in the newly formed electorate was hotly contested. Four candidates were nomin ...

Story: Stewart, George Vesey
Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved: 30 September 2015. *

John Lorenzo Young John Lorenzo Young (30 May 1826 in London – 26 July 1881 at sea) was an English-Australian educationalist and founder of the Adelaide Educational Institution. History Young was born in London, a son of John Tonkin Young (1802 – 10 April 188 ...

References

Sources

*{{cite book, last1=Russell, first1=Colin A., title=Edward Frankland: Chemistry, Controversy and Conspiracy in Victorian England, date=2003, publisher=Cambridge University Press, isbn=9780521545815 Civil engineering organizations 1839 establishments in the United Kingdom Engineering universities and colleges in the United Kingdom 1850s disestablishments in the United Kingdom Defunct universities and colleges in London Putney