Vermuyden, Cornelius (c.1596–c.1683)

Dutch-born British engineer who devoted his life to land reclamation schemes. He began his first drainage work in Yorkshire in 1626, and in the period 1629–37 was engaged on a major project to drain the Bedford Level, part of the Cambridgeshire Fens. The Bedford dikes were broken during the Civil War to prevent a Royalist army advance, but were repaired by Vermuyden 1649–56.

Vermuyden was born on the island of Tholen, in Zeeland. In England, his patrons included the 4th Earl of Bedford and Oliver Cromwell. He was knighted in 1628 and became a British subject five years later.