John Colvin (engineer) facts for kids
Lieutenant-Colonel John Colvin CB (born 1794 – died 1871) was a smart British engineer. He worked for the East India Company in India. He is mostly remembered for building many important canals in northern India. These canals helped bring water to farms.
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John Colvin: The Canal Builder
John Colvin was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1794. His father, Thomas Colvin, was a local merchant. John was one of the first students to attend a special school. This was the East India Company's Military Seminary at Addiscombe. He finished his studies there in 1809.
Starting His Career in India
After school, John joined the Bengal Engineers in 1810. For the next 27 years, he worked mainly on building canals. These canals were in northern India. He became known as a very skilled engineer. People called him the "Father of irrigation in northern India." This was because he helped bring water to so many places. He was put in charge of the canals in the Delhi area.
His Interest in Fossils
John Colvin also had a hobby. He was very interested in fossils. He found many fossils in the Siwalik Hills. He gave many of these fossils to the Asiatic Society of Bengal's museum. He also sent some valuable specimens to museums in Britain.
Later Life and Retirement
In 1838, Colvin went back to England. He married Josephine Puget Baker in Ludlow. She was the sister of his friend and colleague, William Erskine Baker. John was also given a special award. He became a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1838.
Colvin retired in 1839. He then became involved in local activities. He worked with the Ludlow Natural History Society and its museum. He also served on local committees. He worked as a magistrate, which is like a local judge. John also supported good causes in his community. This included helping with education.
