Francis Spring facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Francis Spring
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| Member of the Imperial Legislative Council | |
| In office 1910–1913 |
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| Member of the Madras Legislative Council | |
| In office 1900–1901 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Francis Joseph Edward Spring
20 January 1849 Baltimore, County Cork, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Died | 25 August 1933 (aged 84) Saint Aubin, Jersey, United Kingdom |
| Alma mater | Trinity College Dublin |
Sir Francis Joseph Edward Spring (born January 20, 1849 – died August 25, 1933) was an important engineer from Ireland. He worked in India and helped build many railways. He is also remembered for supporting a brilliant Indian mathematician named Srinivasa Ramanujan.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Francis Spring was born in Baltimore, a town in County Cork, Ireland. This was on January 20, 1849. His parents were Edward and Matilda Spring. He went to school at Midleton College. Later, he studied at Trinity College Dublin.
Career in India
After finishing college in 1870, Francis Spring joined the Indian Civil Service. This was a group of people who helped run India when it was under British rule. He became an engineer. He played a big part in building railways across India.
He helped build a famous railway bridge over the Godavari River. He also worked as a top engineer for the Government of India. He managed the large East Coast Railway. He was also in charge of railways in the Madras region. Francis Spring often wrote articles for engineering journals.
Work at Madras Port
In 1904, Francis Spring left the civil service. He became the Chairman of the Madras Port Trust. He held this job until 1919. In this role, he made the harbor at Madras much better. He made it bigger and stronger. This helped the port handle more ships. It also protected it from damage by cyclones.
He was also a member of the Madras Legislative Council from 1900 to 1901. He was a special member, called a fellow, at the University of Madras and the University of Calcutta. From 1910 to 1913, he was a member of the Imperial Legislative Council of India.
Helping Ramanujan
A famous Indian mathematician named Srinivasa Ramanujan worked at the Madras Port Trust. This was from 1912 to 1914. Francis Spring was the chairman at that time. Ramanujan's amazing math skills were noticed by the chief accountant, S. Narayana Iyer.
Spring soon became very interested in Ramanujan's talent. He worked hard to get government help for Ramanujan. He wanted Ramanujan to study in England. He wrote letters to important people like Sir Alfred Bourne to make this happen.
Personal Life and Later Years
In 1873, Francis Spring married Charlotte. She was the daughter of Samuel Townsend. Charlotte passed away in 1930.
In 1911, Spring started the Royal Madras Yacht Club. This club is still a top sailing club in India today. Its marina is even called Springhaven.
He retired in 1919, after his 70th birthday. He left India and moved to Jersey in the Channel Islands. He lived there for the last 14 years of his life. He had a lot of money and gave a large amount to restore St Peter and St Paul's Church, Lavenham. This was his family's old church. He has a memorial there. Francis Spring died in Saint Aubin on August 25, 1933, when he was 84 years old.
Honours and Legacy
For his achievements, Spring received several honors. In 1894, he was made a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire. In 1911, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire. This means he was given the title "Sir."
He was also a member of important engineering groups. These included the Institute of Civil Engineers and the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. In 1901, he received an honorary degree from Dublin University. Francis Spring was also the first person in Madras city to own a registered car.
Today, a tug boat in Madras harbor is named Sir Francis Spring. The main road leading to the port is also named after him.
