Victorian Engineering

by L.T.C. Rolt

Describing the course of British engineering throughout the 19th century, this survey gives accounts of such major developments as the building of the railways, the growth of ship-building and the introduction of gas and electricity. It examines the individual achievements of Brunel, Joseph Paxton and Robert Stephenson among others, and explains how industrialization changed the face of the environment. The book concludes by considering why the Victorians' mood of optimism turned to one of disillusionment. It argues that the Victorians failed to come to terms with the consequences of industrialization, and that many of the innovations of British engineers found their best expression in other countries.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Victorian, Science, Architecture

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 1986

About the author

Lionel Thomas Caswall Rolt (usually abbreviated to Tom Rolt or L.T.C. Rolt) was a prolific English writer and the biographer of major civil engineering figures including Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Thomas Telford. He is also regarded as one of the pioneers of the leisure cruising industry on Britain's inland waterways, and as an enthusiast for both vintage cars and heritage railways.

Reviews

[Ashley Panter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good facts but ugh

[Stephen Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting overview of the engineering progress made during the 19th century - indeed, "Nineteenth Century Engineering" might have been a more appropriate title, as there is a fair bit pre-Victoria here.

The big names and big engineering are covered, as are the less obvious (to me at least) ideas and concepts which helped Britain make such rapid progress and, for a time, lead the world.

As with all of Rolt's books, there is a campaigning undertone, but it doesn't significantly impact on the job of historian that he should have restricted himself to in such volumes.