Joseph Bazalgette

Joseph Bazalgette by Lock & Whitfield

Sir Joseph William Bazalgette (28 March 1819 – 15 March 1891) was a 19th-century English civil engineer. As chief engineer of London's Metropolitan Board of Works, his major achievement was the creation of a comprehensive sewer network for central London, which was instrumental in relieving the city from cholera epidemics and reducing the incidence of other waterborne diseases.

Early Life and Career

Joseph Bazalgette was born in Enfield, London, the son of a retired Royal Navy captain. He trained as a civil engineer and initially worked on railway projects. His early career was marked by his involvement in the construction of the Great Western Railway under the guidance of Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

The Great Stink and the London Sewer System

In the summer of 1858, the stench from the River Thames became unbearable, a period known as the Great Stink. This event, combined with recurring cholera outbreaks, prompted the government to take action. Bazalgette was appointed to design and implement a modern sewer system for London.

Design and Implementation

Bazalgette's design was revolutionary. He proposed a network of intercepting sewers that would divert waste away from the Thames and into treatment facilities. The system included over 1,100 miles of street sewers and 82 miles of main intercepting sewers. Key components of the system included the construction of the Victoria Embankment, the Albert Embankment, and the Chelsea Embankment, which also provided new roads and public spaces.

Legacy

Bazalgette's work had a profound impact on public health and urban planning. His sewer system is still in use today, a testament to his engineering prowess. He was knighted in 1875 for his contributions to public health and engineering.

Personal Life

Bazalgette married Maria Kough in 1845, and they had ten children. He lived in Wimbledon, London, where he passed away in 1891. He is buried in Wimbledon Cemetery.

See Also

• Civil engineering
• Public health
• Victorian era
• London infrastructure