Historedia
Person

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Events
8
Episodes
13
Years
1843–1892

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Isambard Kingdom Brunel, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Launch of SS Great Britain

    1843

    Role: Designer and Engineer

    1. 19 July 1843 · Bristol (harbour locality)Launch of SS Great Britain

      SS Great Britain was launched in Bristol on 19 July 1843, in a float-out; at the time she was by far the largest vessel ever built.

  2. Thames Tunnel opens to pedestrians

    1843

    Role: Resident Engineer

    1. 25 March 1843 · Thames TunnelPublic Opening of the Thames Tunnel

      The Thames Tunnel officially opened to pedestrians on 25 March 1843, marking the completion of the first tunnel under a navigable river.

  3. SS Great Britain makes first screw-propelled transatlantic crossing

    1845

    Role: Designer

    1. 26 July 1845 – on or about 10 August 1845 · Departure portMaiden Voyage to New York

      Great Britain departed Liverpool on 26 July 1845, completing the transatlantic crossing in 14 days and 21 hours to become the first iron-hulled, screw-propelled ship to cross the Atlantic.

  4. Britannia Bridge opens over the Menai Strait

    1850

    Role: Professional rival (per attributed remark)

    1. 5 March 1850 · Britannia Bridge siteOfficial Completion

      Robert Stephenson fitted the last rivet on 5 March 1850, marking the bridge's official completion.

    2. 18 March 1850 · Britannia Bridge siteFirst Rail Traffic

      A single tube opened to rail traffic on 18 March 1850, shortly after the official completion.

  5. Brunel accepts Scott Russell's tender for SS Great Eastern

    1853

    Role: Engineer

    1. 1853 · LondonPartnership Formation

      Brunel entered into a partnership with John Scott Russell to build the SS Great Eastern, an arrangement placed in 1853 by inference from the September fire at Russell's shipyard.

  6. Royal Albert Bridge opens the Cornwall Railway

    1857–1859

    Role: Engineer

    1. 1857-1859 · Tamar River construction siteConstruction Milestones

      Key spans were floated into position in 1857 and 1858, with inspections occurring in April 1859 before the opening.

    2. 2 May 1859 · Tamar River crossingBridge Opening Ceremony

      Prince Albert opened the Royal Albert Bridge on 2 May 1859, traveling from Windsor on the Royal Train for the ceremony.

    3. 4 May 1859 · Cornwall Railway line, Plymouth to TruroRailway Service Commencement

      Public passenger services began on 4 May 1859, two days after the bridge's official opening, linking Plymouth to Truro.

  7. Clifton Suspension Bridge opens, 8 December 1864

    1864

    Role: Original Designer

    1. 1864 · Clifton Suspension BridgeConstruction Completion

      Construction work was completed in 1864, 111 years after a bridge at the site was first planned.

    2. 8 December 1864 · Clifton Suspension BridgeCeremonial Opening

      The bridge was lit by electric arc lamps, magnesium flares, and limelights for its ceremonial opening ceremony on 8 December 1864.

  8. Last broad gauge train from Paddington

    1892

    Role: Designer of the GWR broad gauge (historical context)

    1. 1892 · BritainWeekend Conversion

      The last of Brunel's broad gauge was converted over a weekend in 1892.

    2. 1892-05-20 · London PaddingtonFinal Broad Gauge Departure

      The last broad-gauge service left Paddington station on Friday, 20 May 1892, ending the era of Brunel's gauge.

Sources

  1. SS Great Britain Wikipedia, revision of 2026-07-26
  2. Isambard Kingdom Brunel Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-02
  3. Marc Isambard Brunel Wikipedia, revision of 2026-07-11
  4. Thames Tunnel Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-16
  5. Britannia Bridge Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-29
  6. SS Great Eastern Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-01
  7. Royal Albert Bridge Wikipedia, revision of 2026-06-24
  8. Clifton Suspension Bridge Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-02
  9. Great Western Railway Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-09
  10. Broad-gauge railway Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-02