John Wolfe-Barry

Sir John Wolfe Barry (7 December 1836 – 22 January 1918) was an English civil engineer known for engineering Tower Bridge over the River Thames in London, which was constructed between 1886 and 1894. He was the youngest son of architect Sir Charles Barry. He added "Wolfe" as a forename after receiving an inheritance from his godfather, the architect John Lewis Wolfe (1798–1881). After receiving a knighthood in 1897, he changed his surname to "Wolfe-Barry", so being known generally as Sir John Wolfe-Barry but legally as Sir John Wolfe Wolfe-Barry.

Early years and education Barry was born in London on 7 December 1836.

Barry was educated at Trinity College, Glenalmond and King's College, London.

Career Barry started his own practice in 1867, initially carrying out more work on railway projects signposting a lifelong interest in that area of engineering. Over his career to 1918, he "devoted himself largely to the construction of bridges, railways, and docks." In 1891 Wolfe Barry entered into partnership with his nephew Lt. Col. Arthur John Barry. In 1901, Edward Cruttwell who had been resident engineer on Blackfriars Railway Bridge and Tower Bridge resumed his relationship with Wolfe Barry when he joined Sir John Wolfe Barry and Partners as partner.

In 1902 Wolfe Barry also joined the consulting firm of Robert White & Partners, which was renamed Wolfe Barry, Robert White & Partners (later, in 1946, renamed Sir Bruce White, Wolfe Barry and Partners).

At Wolfe Barry's death, the partners in his firm, Sir John Wolfe Barry and Partners, were his second son Kenneth Alfred Wolfe Barry, Anthony George Lyster, past president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and Edward Cruttwell.

Bridge, railway and dock projects

Bridge projects Tower Bridge made Wolfe Barry's name. In 1878, architect Horace Jones first proposed a bascule bridge. An Act of Parliament allowing the Corporation of the City of London to build it was passed in 1885. Jones was appointed architect, and developed an initial scheme for which he was knighted in 1886. Wolfe Barry, already well-established with experience of bridges across the Thames, was introduced as the engineer for the project and with Henry Marc Brunel redesigned the mechanisms resulting in a modified plan. Within a month of construction starting Sir Horace Jones died, leaving Wolfe Barry and Brunel to oversee and complete the works. The bridge was completed in 1894. Wolfe Barry received a CBE for his work on Tower Bridge afterwards being styled Sir John Wolfe Barry.

In 1917, Barry delivered a lecture to the Institution of Civil Engineers on "The Standardisation of Engineering Materials and its Influence on the Prosperity of the Country." He was elected President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (Pres.Inst.C.E.) from 1896-97, and was a member of that body for fifty years, being on its council for thirty-four years. He chaired the Executive Committee of the City and Guilds of London Institute instituting the need for Civil Engineers to pass an exam for admission to membership of ICE.

Between 1892 and 1906 he represented the British Government alongside Sir Charles Hartley on the International Consultative Committee of the Suez Canal. was dedicated to his memory in the nave of Westminster Abbey.

Wolfe Barry published the results of an investigation into his family's genealogy in 1906.

Wolfe Barry died on 22 January 1918 aged 82,