Autobiography of Sir John Rennie, F.R.S., Past President of the Institute of Civil Engineers Comprising the history of his professional life, together with reminiscences dating from the commencement of the century to the present time.

Born in London in 1794, he spent his formative years at a well‑run boys’ school in Isleworth, where classical studies mingled with the occasional spark of youthful rebellion. Among his schoolmates was the future poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, whose vivid imagination and tempestuous spirit left a lasting impression. These early experiences, set against the backdrop of spacious gardens and disciplined instruction, shaped a mind attuned to both technical precision and creative thinking.

After completing his education, he entered his father’s engineering office and quickly found himself at the heart of Britain’s great infrastructural ventures. He recounts the challenges of constructing the arches of Southwark Bridge and the triumph of witnessing Waterloo Bridge’s grand opening by the Prince Regent in 1817. His narrative blends detailed observations on hydraulic principles with anecdotes from the bustling world of early railway surveys, offering valuable insight for anyone interested in the foundations of modern civil engineering.

The memoir is written from memory, retaining a tone of kindness toward all his collaborators. It provides practical hints on the neglected art of hydraulics and earnest advice for young engineers embarking on their own careers, making it a rare window into the professional life of a 19th‑century engineering pioneer.