Joshua Thomas Noble Anderson
Encyclopedia
Joshua Thomas Noble Anderson (J T N Anderson) (1865–1949) was an engineer
practising in Melbourne, Australia, and New Zealand during the difficult times in the Depressions of the 1890s and 1930s, but still practised innovative engineering in these periods.
in 1889, undertaking his first engineering in Victoria in connection with the Laanecoorie Weir
. He then took up a lectureship in mechanical engineering at the University of Melbourne
, where he met John Monash
.
patents and won several contracts for bridges using the technology and he and Monash concentrated on building concrete bridges.
Anderson was appointed as engineer with the Dunedin (New Zealand) Drainage Board in 1902 and continued to 1906. He then returned to Victoria to take up a post as Shire Engineer and engineering consultant for several local councils in different parts of Victoria. In the 1920s he acted as engineering consultant to Walter Burley Griffin
, on the design of the Cotter Dam and water supply system for the new capital at Canberra. Later he was Consulting Engineer to the City of Richmond. He joined the Victorian Institute of Engineers
in 1890, and was President 1900-2 and in 1919. He joined the IEAust
as a Corporate Member in 1926. He died in 1949.
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
practising in Melbourne, Australia, and New Zealand during the difficult times in the Depressions of the 1890s and 1930s, but still practised innovative engineering in these periods.
Early career and migration to Australia
Anderson, known commonly by his middle name Noble, was born in Ireland in 1865, and graduated in engineering and arts. Following short engineering engagements in Ireland, he came to VictoriaVictoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
in 1889, undertaking his first engineering in Victoria in connection with the Laanecoorie Weir
Laanecoorie Weir
Laanecoorie Weir or Laanecoorie Reservoir, is a water storage for irrigation and domestic purposes on the Loddon River, near the towns of Eddington, Victoria and Laanecoorie, Victoria. It was designed by construction engineer Andrew O'Keefe in conjunction with Joshua Thomas Noble Anderson. This...
. He then took up a lectureship in mechanical engineering at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, where he met John Monash
John Monash
General Sir John Monash GCMG, KCB, VD was a civil engineer who became the Australian military commander in the First World War. He commanded the 13th Infantry Brigade before the War and then became commander of the 4th Brigade in Egypt shortly after the outbreak of the War with whom he took part...
.
Monash & Anderson
In 1894 Monash and Anderson set up a consulting partnership, which lasted from 1894 to 1902, designing and contracting engineering works. After a meeting with Frank Gummow of Sydney in 1897, Anderson negotiated an agreement for the firm to became the Victorian agents for reinforced concrete using the MonierJoseph Monier
-Overview:Joseph Monier was a French gardener and one of the principal inventors of reinforced concrete....
patents and won several contracts for bridges using the technology and he and Monash concentrated on building concrete bridges.
Move to New Zealand
Anderson moved to New Zealand in 1902 after the company failed financially.Anderson was appointed as engineer with the Dunedin (New Zealand) Drainage Board in 1902 and continued to 1906. He then returned to Victoria to take up a post as Shire Engineer and engineering consultant for several local councils in different parts of Victoria. In the 1920s he acted as engineering consultant to Walter Burley Griffin
Walter Burley Griffin
Walter Burley Griffin was an American architect and landscape architect, who is best known for his role in designing Canberra, Australia's capital city...
, on the design of the Cotter Dam and water supply system for the new capital at Canberra. Later he was Consulting Engineer to the City of Richmond. He joined the Victorian Institute of Engineers
Victorian Institute of Engineers
The Victorian Institute of Engineers was founded in 1883 in Melbourne, Victoria Australia.In 1885 there were 124 members including 40 civil engineers engaged in hydraulic, gas, electric and roadway engineering, about 10 in mining, six in marine, and about 68 mechanical engineers...
in 1890, and was President 1900-2 and in 1919. He joined the IEAust
Engineers Australia
The Institution of Engineers Australia, often shortened to IEAust and trading as Engineers Australia, is a professional body and not-for-profit organisation dedicated to being the national forum for the advancement of the engineering field within Australia...
as a Corporate Member in 1926. He died in 1949.