Smeaton, John (1724–1792)

The first of England's great civil engineers. He rebuilt the Eddystone lighthouse in the English Channel 1756–59, having systematically investigated native limes in order to produce hydraulic mortar. He called his discovery ‘Roman cement’.

Smeaton adopted the term ‘civil engineer’ in contradistinction to the fast-growing number of engineers graduating from military colleges. He was also a consultant in the field of structural engineering, and from 1757 onwards he was responsible for projects including bridges, power stations operated by water or wind, steam engines, and river and harbour facilities.

Smeaton was born near Leeds and qualified as a lawyer, but then became a maker of scientific instruments.

Smeaton's research led to the abandonment of the established undershot water wheel (which operates through the action of the flow of water against blades in the wheel) in favour of the overshot wheel (which is operated by water moving the wheel by the force of its weight). Experimenting with models, Smeaton showed that overshot wheels were twice as efficient as undershot ones.

Smeaton performed extensive tests on the experimental steam engine of Thomas Newcomen, which led to improvements in its design and efficiency.