History

In the north aisle of the nave of Westminster Abbey is a memorial stone to civil engineer John Smeaton. The Purbeck marble stone includes a bronze inlay of Smeaton's most famous work, the third Eddystone lighthouse completed in 1759. It was unveiled on 7 November 1994 by Noel Ordman, President of the Smeatonian Society. The inscription reads:

JOHN

SMEATON

CIVIL ENGINEER

1724

1792

He was born in the parish of Whitkirk near Leeds in Yorkshire, son of William Smeaton and his wife Mary (Stones). After education at Leeds Grammar School he studied in London and in 1748 set up as an instrument maker in London. Early successes included the perfecting of a mariner's compass, which was adopted by the Royal Navy. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society at the early age of 28. In 1756 he married Ann Jenkinson and they had three daughters Ann, Mary and Hannah (who died young). He made many scientific investigations relating to instruments, astronomy and mechanics and designed numerous bridges, harbours, canals, mills and steam engines. He founded the Society of Civil Engineers, known after his death as the Smeatonian Society. He died of a stroke on 28 October 1792 and is buried at Whitkirk.

A photo of the memorial can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library.

Further reading:

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2004.