Joseph Lane Manby
Joseph Lane Manby (1814-1862)
1863 Obituary [1]
Joseph Lane Manby, the third son of the late Aaron Manby (M. Inst. C.E.), was born at Horseley, Staffordshire, December 22nd, 1814.
At an early age he was sent to Paris for education at the school of Monsieur Massin, and in due time he was placed in the gas works of Manby, Wilson and Co, where he studied gas engineering.
He then returned to England, and was for a time engaged in the mercantile and banking establishment of Messrs. Jeremiah Harman and Co., Adam’s Court, Broad Street, where he acquired the aptitude for commercial affairs which was subsequently so useful to him.
At the dissolution of the firm under whom he was engaged, he sought the advice of his father’s old friend, George Lowe (M. Inst. C.E.), by whom he was induced to undertake the management in France of the concerns of the Continental Gas Company, which he continued to direct for some years.
He then became connected with similar affairs in Spain, where he resided for some time, but he eventually settled in Paris, where, associated with the late Monsieur Savalete, he undertook contracts for the construction of the Seville and Cordova Railway, for some building speculations in Paris, and other works.
After the decease of his partner he came to London, in prosecution of some building speculations in Paris and elsewhere, and having some contract work in view at Cadiz, he, in 1862, visited that city. He there engaged to make a survey in Africa, where he received a sun-stroke, from the effects of which he rapidly sunk, and died shortly after his return to Cadiz, on the 18th of August, 1862, at the early age of forty-eight years.
Mr. J. L. Manby, although not strictly educated as an Engineer, had a very good knowledge of his special branch of the profession, and his natural talent and acuteness carried him through all difficulties.
He was an excellent companion, a very well read and well-informed man, and possessed abilities which, under favourable circumstances, would have carried him probably to fame and fortune. He was deeply regretted by his relatives and friends.
He joined the Institution as an Associate in June, 1844, and was transferred to Membership in May, 1854.