Grace's Guide To British Industrial History

Registered UK Charity (No. 115342)

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 167,105 pages of information and 246,739 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 147,919 pages of information and 233,587 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Robert Mylne

From Graces Guide

Robert Mylne (1733–1811), F.R.S., architect and engineer (building contractor)

1733 Born on 4 January in Edinburgh; his father, Thomas Mylne (d. 1763), was a master mason.

1747 Apprenticed to Daniel Wright, a carpenter

1755 Travelled to Rome with his brother William, who also became an architect but remained in Edinburgh. Met Piranesi, the architect, who encouraged Robert Mylne's interest in ancient water systems.

1759 Returned to London where he entered the competition for a new bridge over the Thames at Blackfriars.

1760 Mylne's design was chosen; he was also appointed surveyor to oversee the construction. The bridge was completed in 1768 and survived for a century. Also provided designs for St Cecilia's Hall, Edinburgh

Responsible for the design of the Almack's Club, London, for important alterations to houses at King's Weston, near Bristol, and Cally, in Galloway. He was also consulted on several bridges, and was involved in the design or reconstruction of many others, including those at Newcastle and Glasgow. Appointed surveyor to St Paul's Cathedral.

1767 Appointed assistant surveyor (1767) of the New River Co and elected a fellow of the Royal Society

1770 Married Maria (May) Home (1748–1797); they had two sons, Robert Mylne and William Chadwell Mylne (1781–1863); the latter succeeded his father in several appointments.

1771 Appointed surveyor of the New River Co

With John Smeaton, founded the Society of Civil Engineers.

Many other commissions for architectural design and for engineering

Appointed chief engineer to the Gloucester and Berkeley Canal but was dismissed in 1798

1807 Featured in William Walker et al’s painting of "Men of science living in 1807-8"[1]

1810 Retired from his position with the New River Co

1811 Died at his home, New River Head, Clerkenwell, on 6 May


See Also

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Sources of Information

  1. National Portrait Gallery: [1]
  • Biography of Robert Mylne, ODNB [2]