1-156-337 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Isambard Kingdom Brunel, English civil and mechanical engineer. Obverse of a medal commemorating his ship the 'Great Eastern'. One of the most prolific figures in the annals of British engineering history, Brunel (1806-1859) initially worked for his father Marc Isambard Brunel on the construction of the Thames Tunnel. He was the chief engineer of the Great Western Railway (GWR) from 1833 to 1858, for whom he designed many bridges and viaducts, including the Royal Albert Bridge, Cornwall, and Clifton Suspension Bridge. Brunel also designed the steamships 'Great Britain', 'Great Western' and 'Great Eastern'.