John Samuel Enys
Encyclopedia
John Samuel Enys was a British
mining engineer and scientist
who wrote several important papers on the "duty" of steam engine
s and other types of power delivery, from water wheels to horse
s, and made numerous studies on the extensive mining works in his home of Cornwall, England.
Enys was born 21 September 1796, son of Samuel Hunt and Luce Ann Enys, the daughter of Samuel and Valentine Enys. Hunt died in 1813, and his mother reverted her name to Enys. Enys was educated at Winchester College
, matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford
, and took an honorary third in classics.
In 1821 his great-uncle, Francis Enys, died, and he inherited the family land. He did not appear to be too interested in farming, and soon became active in local politics and took a position as a magistrate as High Sheriff of Cornwall
in 1824.
The steam engine was just becoming widely used in Cornwall
, after the introduction of the Watt steam engine
, and Enys spent considerable effort studying and improving the models used nearby. In the process he wrote several seminal papers on the comparative performance of the engines, notably Remarks on the Duty of the Steam Engines employed in the Mines of Cornwall at different Periods. His works appeared in the Transactions of the Institution of Civil Engineers
, the Transactions of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society
, the Reports of the British Association and others. He was voted a member of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall
in 1827.
On 17 April 1834 he married Catherine Gilbert, the daughter of Davies Gilbert
and Mary Ann Gilbert
. They had five children (see Enys family of Enys in Cornwall
). Davies was President of the Royal Society
at the time, and although not a member himself, this family connection opened Enys to the Society in a less formal way. He joined The Institution of Civil Engineers as an Associate on 12 March 1839.
With Henry de la Beche
, Enys took up the topic of geology
and mineralogy
, and through this work found an interest in architecture
. On a trip to Italy
, he became interested in boats and published several papers on improved buoy
s, reefing and hull shapes.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
mining engineer and scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
who wrote several important papers on the "duty" of steam engine
Steam engine
A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid.Steam engines are external combustion engines, where the working fluid is separate from the combustion products. Non-combustion heat sources such as solar power, nuclear power or geothermal energy may be...
s and other types of power delivery, from water wheels to horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
s, and made numerous studies on the extensive mining works in his home of Cornwall, England.
Enys was born 21 September 1796, son of Samuel Hunt and Luce Ann Enys, the daughter of Samuel and Valentine Enys. Hunt died in 1813, and his mother reverted her name to Enys. Enys was educated at Winchester College
Winchester College
Winchester College is an independent school for boys in the British public school tradition, situated in Winchester, Hampshire, the former capital of England. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years and claims the longest unbroken history of any school in England...
, matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England and the fourth oldest college of the University. The main entrance is on the east side of Turl Street...
, and took an honorary third in classics.
In 1821 his great-uncle, Francis Enys, died, and he inherited the family land. He did not appear to be too interested in farming, and soon became active in local politics and took a position as a magistrate as High Sheriff of Cornwall
High Sheriff of Cornwall
High Sheriffs of Cornwall: a chronological list:Note: The right to choose High Sheriffs each year is vested in the Duchy of Cornwall, rather than the Privy Council, chaired by the Sovereign, which chooses the Sheriffs of all other English counties, other than those in the Duchy of...
in 1824.
The steam engine was just becoming widely used in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, after the introduction of the Watt steam engine
Watt steam engine
The Watt steam engine was the first type of steam engine to make use of steam at a pressure just above atmospheric to drive the piston helped by a partial vacuum...
, and Enys spent considerable effort studying and improving the models used nearby. In the process he wrote several seminal papers on the comparative performance of the engines, notably Remarks on the Duty of the Steam Engines employed in the Mines of Cornwall at different Periods. His works appeared in the Transactions of the Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Civil Engineers
Founded on 2 January 1818, the Institution of Civil Engineers is an independent professional association, based in central London, representing civil engineering. Like its early membership, the majority of its current members are British engineers, but it also has members in more than 150...
, the Transactions of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society
Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society
The Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society is an educational, cultural and scientific charity, based in Falmouth, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The Society exists to promote innovation in the arts and sciences...
, the Reports of the British Association and others. He was voted a member of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall
Royal Geological Society of Cornwall
The Royal Geological Society of Cornwall is a geological society based in Cornwall in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1814 to promote the study of the geology of Cornwall, and is the second oldest geological society in the world....
in 1827.
On 17 April 1834 he married Catherine Gilbert, the daughter of Davies Gilbert
Davies Gilbert
Davies Gilbert FRS was a British engineer, author, and politician. He was elected to the Royal Society on 17 November 1791 and served as President of the Royal Society from 1827 to 1830....
and Mary Ann Gilbert
Mary Ann Gilbert
-Marriage:On 18 April 1808, she married Davies Giddy, a Cornish landowner, who had served as High Sheriff of the Duchy. He was an M.P. for Cornish constituencies from 1806 to 1832. Among his roles in Parliament was as Chairman of the Board of Agriculture. Mary Ann Gilbert was passionately concerned...
. They had five children (see Enys family of Enys in Cornwall
Enys family of Enys in Cornwall
The Enys family have lived at Enys, which lies on the northern outskirts of Penryn, time out of mind. The Enys Trust website says: "Robert de Enys lived there during the reign of Edward I." The 1709 edition of Camden's Magna Britannia mentioned that Enys was noted for its fine gardens.-The House...
). Davies was President of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
at the time, and although not a member himself, this family connection opened Enys to the Society in a less formal way. He joined The Institution of Civil Engineers as an Associate on 12 March 1839.
With Henry de la Beche
Henry De la Beche
Sir Henry Thomas De la Beche FRS was an English geologist and palaeontologist who helped pioneer early geological survey methods.-Biography:...
, Enys took up the topic of geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
and mineralogy
Mineralogy
Mineralogy is the study of chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation, classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization.-History:Early writing...
, and through this work found an interest in architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
. On a trip to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, he became interested in boats and published several papers on improved buoy
Buoy
A buoy is a floating device that can have many different purposes. It can be anchored or allowed to drift. The word, of Old French or Middle Dutch origin, is now most commonly in UK English, although some orthoepists have traditionally prescribed the pronunciation...
s, reefing and hull shapes.