Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859) was a British engineer and a key figure of the British Industrial Revolution (1760-1840). Brunel masterminded the Great Western Railway from London to Bristol, designed and built innovative giant steamships like SS Great Britain, constructed bridges and tunnels, and aided casualties in the Crimean War by designing the innovative Renkioi Hospital.
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Definition
Timeline
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1806 - 1859Life of the British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
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9 Apr 1806Isambard Kingdom Brunel is born in Portsmouth, England.
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1820 - 1822Isambard Kingdom Brunel studies in France, including an apprenticeship with watchmaker Louis Breguet.
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Jan 1828Isambard Kingdom Brunel nearly drowns in a serious flooding during construction of the Thames Tunnel.
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1829Isambard Kingdom Brunel submits four designs for Clifton Suspension Bridge, one is accepted.
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Mar 1833Isambard Kingdom Brunel is appointed the chief engineer of the Great Western Railway (GWR).
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5 Jul 1836Isambard Kingdom Brunel marries Mary Horsley.
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1838The Great Western Railway line from Bristol to London opens.
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1838Isambard Kingdom Brunel's steamship SS Great Western is launched.
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1840The Temple Meads railway station in Bristol, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, opens.
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19 Jul 1843Isambard Kingdom Brunel's steamship SS Great Britain is officially launched at Bristol.
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May 1845The steamship SS Great Britain completes its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York.
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Sep 1846The steamship SS Great Britain runs aground in Dundrum Bay on the northeast coast of Ireland.
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Dec 1851The Great Western Steamship Company sells the steamship SS Great Britain to Gibbs, Bright & Company.
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1854Paddington Station in London, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, opens.
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Feb 1855Isambard Kingdom Brunel is approached by the British government to design a new type of hospital for use in the Crimean War, the Renkioi Hospital.
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1858Isambard Kingdom Brunel's steamship SS Great Eastern is launched.
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15 Sep 1859Isambard Kingdom Brunel dies of ill-health.
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Jun 1860SS Great Eastern makes its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York.
