Charles Dickinson West facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Dickinson West
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| Born | January 1847 |
| Died | 10 January 1908 Atami, Shizuoka, Japan
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| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | engineer, educator, foreign advisor to Japan |
| Known for | Foreign advisor to Meiji Japan |
Charles Dickinson West (born January 1847 – died 10 January 1908) was an Irish engineer. He specialized in mechanical engineering and designing ships. For many years, he worked in Meiji era Japan at the Imperial College of Engineering.
Contents
Who Was Charles Dickinson West?
Charles Dickinson West was born in Dublin, Ireland, in January 1847. He was the oldest son of John West, a church leader. In 1869, he finished his degree in civil engineering at Trinity College Dublin.
After college, he worked in Great Britain for five years. He gained important experience in building ships. He also learned about steel mills and how steam power works.
Moving to Japan
In 1882, the Japanese government hired Mr. West. They wanted him to be a foreign advisor. This meant he would teach Japanese students about engineering. He taught subjects like steam engines, mechanical drawing, and mechanical engineering.
He took over from another teacher, Henry Dyer. Mr. West taught at the Kobu Daigakko. This school later became the Imperial College of Engineering at Tokyo Imperial University. He was a professor of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture. He taught there for 25 years, until he passed away.
While in Japan, Mr. West helped the Naval Architectural Department. This department was part of the Imperial Japanese Navy. He also gave advice to several Japanese shipyards. These included big companies like Mitsubishi and Kawasaki. He also advised Osaka Iron Works.
His Life and Legacy
Charles West never married. He enjoyed hobbies like boating and photography. He took many pictures, and his large collection is now kept at the Tokyo University library. His diaries and notes are also saved. These include his lecture notes and exam questions for students.
He stayed in Japan for a long time. He only returned to Europe once during his entire stay. In 1905, Emperor Meiji gave him a special award. It was called the Order of the Rising Sun. This award was for his great help in teaching engineering in Japan.
In 1907, Mr. West was staying at a hot springs resort in Atami. He became sick with pneumonia. He passed away soon after, on January 10, 1908, at the University of Tokyo Hospital. He is buried in Aoyama Cemetery in Tokyo. A special monument with his bronze statue was put up at Tokyo University in 1910.
See also
- Ireland–Japan relations
- Mechanical Engineering Heritage (Japan) No.100 in 2020
