John Henry Brett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Henry Brett
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| Born | 1835 |
| Died | 1920 |
| Nationality | British / Irish (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland) |
| Other names | John H. Brett |
| Occupation | Surveyor, Architect, Builder |
| Known for | County surveyor, architect, builder |
John H. Brett (1835–1920) was an important Irish architect and builder. He also worked as a county surveyor in different parts of Ireland during the late 1800s and early 1900s. A county surveyor was like a chief engineer for a county, planning and overseeing public works.
He was known for designing many useful buildings and projects. Even though his work was practical, his designs often looked fancy. He mixed different styles like Victorian Italian and Venetian Renaissance. This style was inspired by a famous writer named John Ruskin.
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John Brett's Career Journey
John Brett started his career working on railways for William Dargan. Railways were a big deal back then, connecting towns and cities. This job gave him great experience in building large projects.
Later, he became a county surveyor. This was a very important job! He worked in County Limerick starting in 1863, then County Kildare in 1869, and finally County Antrim in 1885. As a county surveyor, he was in charge of public buildings, roads, and other important structures.
Working with Family
In the late 1860s, John also worked with his father in a business called Henry Brett & Son. His brother, Charles Henry Brett, later joined them. After their father passed away in 1882, John and Charles continued the business together. They called their new company John H. & H.C. Brett.
John Brett was also a member of several important groups. He joined the Architectural Association of Ireland in 1872. He also became part of the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland in 1874. These groups were for professionals in building and engineering. He retired in 1914 and became a Justice of the Peace for County Antrim.
About John Brett's Life
John Brett was born in 1835 in Tobercurry, a town in County Sligo, Ireland. His father, Henry Brett, was also a builder. John went to school at the Waterford Academy.
Around 1876, John married Mary Josephine Brady in Dublin. They had a daughter and five sons. He lived in Belfast at 3 Alexandra Gardens, Fortwilliam Park, for many years.
Notable Projects by John Brett
John Brett designed and worked on many different kinds of projects. Here are some examples of his work:
- County Kildare Court House, Naas (1871-1873): He worked on repairs and improvements for this important building. Later, in 1876, he added a new record court.
- Sewerage Scheme, Naas (1875–1879): He proposed a plan to improve the sewer system in Naas. This was a very important project for public health, even though it was not built due to cost.
- County Wicklow Court House, Wicklow (1876): John Brett helped with repairs and added a new record court to this courthouse.
- Military Barracks, Newbridge (1879): He designed a new sewerage system for the military barracks in Newbridge.
- Mercer's Hospital, Dublin (1880-1888): John Brett won a competition to design a new wing for this hospital. The new part included offices, new patient wards, a lecture hall, and rooms for doctors, students, and nurses. He worked on this project with W. M. Mitchell.
- FBD Insurance, Waterford (1887): This building was originally a branch bank for the National Bank of Ireland.
- Sewerage Scheme, Ballymena-Cullybackey (1901): He worked on another important sewer system project in County Antrim.
- Weir, Toomebridge (1910): He helped repair a weir, which is a low dam built across a river to control water flow. He worked with C. L. Boddie on this project.
