Henry Grissell
Encyclopedia
Henry Grissell sometimes known as "Iron Henry", was an English foundry
-man who was responsible for the ironwork in a number of prestigious buildings in England, Russia, Austria and Egypt.
. He started work with John Joseph Bramah, of the Bramah
company, known for his intricate castings and metal work.
, Bidder, Walker & Burges, and Sir William Cubitt
.
The company made the ironwork for some major bridges, including at the river Nene, Sutton, Lincolnshire, Great Yarmouth
, and the Nile
in Egypt, as well as works in Portsmouth and Devonport dockyards. Overseas jobs included waterworks at Vienna
, Leipzig
, Russia
, and various lighthouses. They also made ironwork for Covent Garden Opera House, for the some of the Houses of Parliament and the new museum at South Kensington
. He also made the gates for Sir William Tite's Royal Exchange
, the gates and railings round Buckingham Palace
and at the British Museum
.
Another brother, Thomas Grissell
, was a major public works contractor, with cousin Henry Peto.
After the banking crisis of 1866, Henry closed the foundry and developed his interests in Scandinavian timber. He died in 1883 at his home in Montagu Square
and was interred at West Norwood Cemetery
in an elaborate Gothic tomb made of iron, constructed initially for his father.
Foundry
A foundry is a factory that produces metal castings. Metals are cast into shapes by melting them into a liquid, pouring the metal in a mold, and removing the mold material or casting after the metal has solidified as it cools. The most common metals processed are aluminum and cast iron...
-man who was responsible for the ironwork in a number of prestigious buildings in England, Russia, Austria and Egypt.
Early life and education
Henry Grissell was born in London to Thomas de la Garde Grissell, who worked with the East India CompanyBritish East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
. He started work with John Joseph Bramah, of the Bramah
Joseph Bramah
Joseph Bramah , born Stainborough Lane Farm, Wentworth, Yorkshire, England, was an inventor and locksmith. He is best known for having invented the hydraulic press...
company, known for his intricate castings and metal work.
Career
Grissell start his own business in partnership with his brother, Martin De La Garde Grissell, at the Regent's Canal Ironworks, Eagle Wharf Road, as ironfounders and contractors in about 1841. Martin left the partnership in 1858. They worked with the major engineers of the time, including Robert StephensonRobert Stephenson
Robert Stephenson FRS was an English civil engineer. He was the only son of George Stephenson, the famed locomotive builder and railway engineer; many of the achievements popularly credited to his father were actually the joint efforts of father and son.-Early life :He was born on the 16th of...
, Bidder, Walker & Burges, and Sir William Cubitt
William Cubitt
Sir William Cubitt was an eminent English civil engineer and millwright. Born in Norfolk, England, he was employed in many of the great engineering undertakings of his time. He invented a type of windmill sail and the prison treadwheel, and was employed as chief engineer, at Ransomes of Ipswich,...
.
The company made the ironwork for some major bridges, including at the river Nene, Sutton, Lincolnshire, Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth, often known to locals as Yarmouth, is a coastal town in Norfolk, England. It is at the mouth of the River Yare, east of Norwich.It has been a seaside resort since 1760, and is the gateway from the Norfolk Broads to the sea...
, and the Nile
Nile
The Nile is a major north-flowing river in North Africa, generally regarded as the longest river in the world. It is long. It runs through the ten countries of Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Egypt.The Nile has two major...
in Egypt, as well as works in Portsmouth and Devonport dockyards. Overseas jobs included waterworks at Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, and various lighthouses. They also made ironwork for Covent Garden Opera House, for the some of the Houses of Parliament and the new museum at South Kensington
South Kensington
South Kensington is a district in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London. It is a built-up area located 2.4 miles west south-west of Charing Cross....
. He also made the gates for Sir William Tite's Royal Exchange
Royal Exchange
Royal Exchange may refer to:*Royal Exchange, Belfast a major mixed-use regeneration scheme in the North East Quarter of Belfast City Centre*Royal Exchange, Manchester, a 19th century classical building, home of the Royal Exchange Theatre...
, the gates and railings round Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
and at the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
.
Another brother, Thomas Grissell
Thomas Grissell
Thomas Grissell was an English public works contractor who was responsible for constructing a number of prestigious buildings in England.-Early life and education:...
, was a major public works contractor, with cousin Henry Peto.
After the banking crisis of 1866, Henry closed the foundry and developed his interests in Scandinavian timber. He died in 1883 at his home in Montagu Square
Montagu Square
Montagu Square is a square in Marylebone, London. It is situated a little north of Marble Arch. It is oriented on an axis approximately NNW on the same grid plan that extends eastwards as far as Portland Place. Montagu Place runs along the north end, George Street along the south end...
and was interred at West Norwood Cemetery
West Norwood Cemetery
West Norwood Cemetery is a cemetery in West Norwood in London, England. It was also known as the South Metropolitan Cemetery.One of the first private landscaped cemeteries in London, it is one of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries of London, and is a site of major historical, architectural and...
in an elaborate Gothic tomb made of iron, constructed initially for his father.