Benjamin Henry Latrobe, II
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Henry Latrobe, II (December 19, 1806 – October 19, 1878) was an American
civil engineer
, best known for his railway bridges.
He was the son of Benjamin Latrobe
, architect of the United States Capitol
and the Basilica of the Assumption
. The junior Latrobe was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, and was educated in Baltimore, Maryland, and later at Georgetown College
. He married Maria Eleanor "Ellen" Hazlehurst on March 12, 1833.
Around 1820 Latrobe worked with his father to establish a water supply for New Orleans, Louisiana
. Between 1833 and 1835, as assistant engineer for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
, he saw his design for the Thomas Viaduct
take shape. The viaduct spans the Patapsco River
between Relay
and Elkridge, Maryland
.
Early on it was nicknamed "Latrobe's Folly" as many doubted the massive structure could support itself. The fact that it remains in use as of 2010, carrying far heavier loads than ever envisioned, is a testament to his skill. He later became chief engineer of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
civil engineer
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
, best known for his railway bridges.
He was the son of Benjamin Latrobe
Benjamin Latrobe
Benjamin Henry Boneval Latrobe was a British-born American neoclassical architect best known for his design of the United States Capitol, along with his work on the Baltimore Basilica, the first Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States...
, architect of the United States Capitol
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
and the Basilica of the Assumption
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also called the Baltimore Basilica, was the first Roman Catholic cathedral built in the United States, and was the first major religious building constructed in the nation after the adoption of the U.S. Constitution...
. The junior Latrobe was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, and was educated in Baltimore, Maryland, and later at Georgetown College
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
. He married Maria Eleanor "Ellen" Hazlehurst on March 12, 1833.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. Between 1833 and 1835, as assistant engineer for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
, he saw his design for the Thomas Viaduct
Thomas Viaduct
The Thomas Viaduct spans the Patapsco River and Patapsco Valley between Relay and Elkridge, Maryland, USA. It is the first multi-span masonry railroad bridge in the United States to be built on a curve...
take shape. The viaduct spans the Patapsco River
Patapsco River
The Patapsco River is a river in central Maryland which flows into Chesapeake Bay. The river's tidal portion forms the harbor for the city of Baltimore...
between Relay
Arbutus, Maryland
As of the 2010 Census Arbutus had a population of 20,583. The racial and ethnic compositon of the population was 76.6% non-Hispanic white, 9.5% non-Hispanic black, 0.2% Native American, 2.1% Asian Indian, 6.5% other Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.2% non-Hispanic from some other race, 2.3% from...
and Elkridge, Maryland
Elkridge, Maryland
Elkridge is a census-designated place in Howard County, Maryland, United States. The population was 22,042 at the 2000 census. Founded early in the 18th century, Elkridge is located at the confluence of three counties, the other two being Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties...
.
Early on it was nicknamed "Latrobe's Folly" as many doubted the massive structure could support itself. The fact that it remains in use as of 2010, carrying far heavier loads than ever envisioned, is a testament to his skill. He later became chief engineer of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.