Reports of the Late John Smeaton : Made on Various Occasions, in the Course of his Employment as a Civil Engineer

Celebrated as the builder of the Eddystone Lighthouse near Plymouth, John Smeaton (1724–92) made major contributions to civil engineering. Posthumously published between 1812 and 1814, this four-volume illustrated set contains Smeaton's complete reports on the various engineering works he constructed during his career, and his technical papers.

Celebrated for his construction of the Eddystone Lighthouse near Plymouth, John Smeaton (1724–92) established himself as Britain's foremost civil engineer in the eighteenth century. A founder member of the Society of Civil Engineers, he was instrumental in promoting the growth of the profession. After his death his papers were acquired by the president of the Royal Society, Sir Joseph Banks, Smeaton's friend and patron. Using these materials, a special committee decided to publish 'every paper of any consequence' written by Smeaton, as a 'fund of practical instruction' for current and future engineers. These were published in four illustrated volumes between 1812 and 1814. As a consulting engineer, Smeaton carried out surveys and reports of existing structures, as well as drawing up proposals for new designs. Volume 3 contains mainly reports relating to bridges and harbours, including work at such major ports as Aberdeen, Dover and Hull.