Edward Bury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Bury
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by Unknown 1850s
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| Born | 22 October 1794 |
| Died | 25 November 1858 (aged 64) Scarborough, Yorkshire, England
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| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Spouse(s) | Priscilla Susan Falkner |
| Children | 3 |
| Engineering career | |
| Institutions | Royal Society (1844) Royal Astronomical Society Royal Historical Society Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers Institution of Civil Engineers |
Edward Bury (born October 22, 1794 – died November 25, 1858) was an important English engineer. He was known for building locomotives, which are the engines that pull trains. Edward was born in Salford, Lancashire, England. His father was a timber merchant, and Edward went to school in Chester.
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Edward Bury's Career
By 1823, Edward Bury was already a partner in a steam sawmill business in Liverpool. A few years later, in 1826, he decided to start his own business. He became an iron-founder and engineer. His first workshop was in Tabley Street, close to the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. He hoped to build locomotives for this new railway line. However, George Stephenson, the railway's main engineer, did not want to use Bury's locomotives.
Clarence Foundry & Steam Engine Works
Edward Bury soon moved his workshops to a new place in Love Lane, Liverpool. This new location was next to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and close to Clarence Dock. Because of this, he named his company the 'Clarence Foundry and Steam Engine Works'. Around this time, he hired James Kennedy as his manager. Kennedy had experience building locomotives with George Stephenson.
The first locomotive built by Edward Bury's company was called Dreadnought. It was meant to compete in the famous Rainhill Trials. However, it wasn't finished in time. This locomotive had six wheels. It helped with some construction work on the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. But the railway didn't like its six wheels, so it was sold to the Bolton and Leigh Railway in 1831.
Bury's second locomotive was named Liverpool. This one had four wheels. It was also tested on the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. This time, George Stephenson thought its large wheels (6 feet across) were "dangerous." The wheels were made smaller, but this engine also ended up being sold to the Bolton & Leigh Railway. After these attempts, Bury only managed to sell one engine, Liver, to the Liverpool & Manchester Railway.
The Liverpool locomotive had a very clever design. It used a special type of boiler called a multitubular boiler. It also had a strong, simple frame made of wrought-iron. This design was very advanced for its time and proved to be very successful. Many of Bury's later locomotives followed this same basic design. Other companies, even in Europe and the U.S.A., copied his ideas.
London & Birmingham Railway
In 1836, Edward Bury took on a big job for the new London & Birmingham Railway. He became the "Contractor for Locomotive Power." This meant the railway would provide locomotives built to Bury's plans. Then, Bury would be in charge of keeping them in good repair. He would also manage the trains, carrying passengers and goods.
This system didn't work out as planned. In 1839, the contract was changed. Bury then became the Manager of the Locomotive Department. He was paid a regular salary, plus a bonus if the department did well. At first, he insisted on using only locomotives with four wheels. His company built half of the first 90 engines for the London & Birmingham Railway.
Birmingham and Gloucester Railway
In 1838, Bury also became an advisor for the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway (B&GR). He helped them find two used locomotives and ordered four new ones. However, there was a very steep hill on this railway called the Lickey Incline. Bury did not want to supply locomotives for this incline because it was too difficult. He was asked to design a special stationary engine for the slope instead. The B&GR's engineer, Captain Moorsom, decided to buy powerful engines from an American company, Norris Locomotive Works, to handle the Lickey Incline.
Bury, Curtis and Kennedy
In 1842, Edward Bury brought his manager, James Kennedy, and two other people, Timothy Abraham Curtis and John Vernon, into his business as partners. Because of this, the company's name changed to Bury, Curtis and Kennedy.
London & North Western Railway
The London & Birmingham Railway became part of a much larger company, the London & North Western Railway, in 1846. Bury continued to be the Locomotive Superintendent for the southern part of this new railway. However, he left this job in March 1847.
Great Northern Railway
In February 1848, Edward Bury became the Locomotive Engineer for the new Great Northern Railway. He did such a good job that in June 1849, he was also made the General Manager of the line. But in March 1850, he resigned from the Great Northern Railway after an accusation was made against him.
Bedford, Burys & Co
In 1852, Edward Bury started a new business in Sheffield. It was a steelworks with a partner named Charles Cammell. In 1855, he started another steelworks with his son, William Tarleton Bury, and John Bedford. This company was called Bedford, Burys & Co. Edward Bury also gave advice on building three important railway towns: Swindon, Wolverton, and Doncaster.
Honours and Recognition
Edward Bury's achievements in engineering were recognized by many important groups. In 1844, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honour for scientists and engineers. He was also a member of several other important societies, including the Royal Astronomical Society, the Royal Historical Society, and the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Family Life
On March 4, 1830, Edward Bury married Priscilla Susan Falkner. Priscilla was a talented botanist and illustrator. She was also the daughter of a wealthy merchant from Liverpool. Between 1852 and 1860, Edward Bury and his family lived at Hillsborough Hall. Today, a special plaque on the building reminds people that his family once lived there.
Later Life and Death
Edward Bury retired to a place called Croft Lodge in Ambleside. However, he became ill in 1858 and passed away on November 25 in Scarborough. He was buried in Dean Road cemetery. In 1860, his wife, Priscilla, wrote a book about him called Recollections of Edward Bury.
