Person    | Male  Born 6/8/1844  Died 21/10/1896

James Henry Greathead

Categories: Engineering

Countries: South Africa

Railway and tunnelling engineer. Born in Grahamstown, South Africa. Arrived in England in 1859. Studied with and then worked with civil engineer Peter W. Barlow on the Tower Subway tunnel. The travelling shield was invented by Marc Isambard Brunel. Greathead introduced modifications which meant it was generally used in constructing tunnels, in particular the tunnels of London's deep level tube system including the Waterloo and City line. Chief engineer, City and South London Railway.

We have found 3 abandoned tunnelling shields around London: at either end of the Rotherhithe tunnel and in a tunnel at Bank station. Died in London.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
James Henry Greathead

Commemorated ati

Greathead shield at Bank

This 'Greathead' type tunnelling shield ws left at this point 18 metres below...

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James Greathead statue

Note that part of the Greathead shield used in digging the tunnels at Bank St...

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James Greathead - SW13

James Henry Greathead, 1844 - 1896, railway and tunnellng engineer, lived her...

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First traffic lights in world

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J. & E. Hall, Dartford

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Brunel's Engine House

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Building, Engineering

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Previously viewed

Punch magazine

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Founded in early June 1841 at a meeting at the Edinburgh Castle public house in the Strand, attended by Henry Mayhew, brewery manager Mark Lemon, and engraver Ebenezer Landells.  The first issue wa...

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4 memorials