About Robert West Holmes
Lived 1856 – 1936 (aged 79). Robert West Holmes was a New Zealand civil engineer and engineer.
Robert West Holmes (25 September 1856 – 8 February 1936) was a New Zealand civil engineer. He was born on 25 September 1856 in London.
In the Public Works Department he was responsible for the construction of the North Island Main Trunk Railway from 1891 to 1899, during which he completed the gap in the middle of the North Island with the Raurimu Spiral. He retired in 1920, having been Engineer-in-Chief of the department from 1907 to 1920 (and Undersecretary for a period in 1920).
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Important facts
Related people
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Robert West Holmes?
civil engineer (1856–1936)
When was Robert West Holmes born?
Robert West Holmes was born on 25 September 1856.
When did Robert West Holmes die?
Robert West Holmes died on 8 February 1936.
What was Robert West Holmes's occupation?
Robert West Holmes was a civil engineer and engineer.
What nationality was Robert West Holmes?
Robert West Holmes was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Robert West Holmes
· DBpedia: Robert Holmes (engineer)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert West Holmes. https://biography.guide/robert-west-holmes/
MLA: "Robert West Holmes." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-west-holmes/.
Chicago: "Robert West Holmes." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-west-holmes/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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