William Howard

William Howard (1793–1834) was an American topographical engineer who was one of the first to work for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. When the railroad built its first cars using friction bearings first developed by Ross Winans, Howard made his own design and patented it on November 2, 1828.

Early life William Howard was born at the Belvedere mansion in Baltimore, Maryland in 1793 to Peggy (née Chew) and John Eager Howard. He received his degree in medicine from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1817. On July 12, 1819, Howard and his friend became the first Americans to ascend Mount Blanc. In April 1821, Howard published his account in a book called A Narrative of a Journey to the Summit of Mont Blanc, made in July, 1819. In 1827, Howard worked on an early survey for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. He confirmed previous surveys that a route through Montgomery County wasn't possible, and instead proposed a northeastern route along the Potomac, Anacostia, and Patuxent rivers.

In the summer of 1834, Howard was assigned by Abert along with two other assistants the task of surveying areas of the Chesapeake Bay and the Susquehanna River. This would be one of his last projects as the project was abandoned likely due in part to his death.

Invention In 1829, the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia published his Specification for an Improvement in Locomotive Engines. He also designed McKim's School with Small and Barnum's Hotel in Baltimore.

Howard served as the corresponding secretary for the Maryland Institute for the Promotion of the Arts (later named the Maryland Institute College of Art).

Personal life Howard married Rebecca Ann Key (1809-1880) in 1828. She was the daughter of Anne (née Plater) and Philip Barton Key. Together, they had one son, William Key.

Howard had an extensive private library covering all branches of science and literature.

Death Howard died in 1834.