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Informasia #6, Monday, June 15, 2026
Geoff Goolnik (Dr.)
“A Man of Resolve: Richard Henry Brunton. CivilEngineer at work in 19th century Great Britain, Japan and Ireland”
Vimeo video: will be posted June 16, 2026
Audio: will be posted June 16, 2026
Our Speaker Geoff Goolnik (Dr.),
2 LandaleCourt, Chapelton, Stonehaven
Aberdeenshire,AB39 8BF.
Abstract
Although he did sterling work in Japan in arelatively short critical period of time setting a lighthouse service - staffing it, maintaining guidelines of service and building structures - Brunton was, as a skilled trained civil engineer, consulted involved to a varying extent with other other matters of technical note.
Although a advocate of a strong communications links for economic development for instance was quite critical how some of the were and
were not implemented. I would also to mention (to complete the portrait of the stature of the man) touch on other concerns he was involved with (some of which were Japanese related) after his return to the U.K. - that saw him working again as a civil engineer in the widest sense of the term in
Scotland and for a time In Ireland.Recent Publication
https://troubador.co.uk/bookshop/biography/a-man-of-resolve-richard-henry-brunton-civil-engineer
A Man of Resolve: Richard Henry Brunton
Civil engineer at work in 19th Century GreatBritain, Japan and Ireland
Released: 28thApril, 2025Format: Paperback, eBookISBN: 9781805144885
eISBN: 9781836288701Paperback £25.00
The unique biography of an individual playing various pioneering roles in civil engineering, in the late nineteenth century, but with a social conscience. A long and eventful career which embraced everything from lighthouse design and construction in Japan to theatre architecture and ornamentation in Ireland.
Full synopsisA fascinating, well-illustrated and internationally researched biography of Richard Henry Brunton, a talented civil engineer in the nineteenth century and a proud representative of his profession in a rapidly changing world. Brunton was born in Muchalls, Aberdeenshire and initially worked on railway line development. He then came to prominence as Chief Engineer to the Japanese Government when the country was forced to ”open up”. As well as eventually supervising the building of 26 Western-style tower lighthouses along with various other navigational initiatives, he additionally established a groundbreaking staff training and technical complex for this move. Furthermore, he also took a lead in town planning of the chief trading settlement of Yokohama, and in other matters too.
Returning to the United Kingdom, Brunton eventually became manager of a large petrochemical plant in the central ‘belt’ of Scotland, getting involved as well with working man’s’ broader education and then, moving back south, took over an architectural ornaments business in London. The company won prizes and worked at home and around the globe. Unfortunately, although extensive, the work was over-stressful and he over-dipped into its income to the extent he was declared personally bankrupt. However, one of his theatrical clients, based in Ireland, approached him to become their architect and there he created three gems of theatre design, two of which, in the cities of Dublin and Cork, still successfully function.
E-mail
geoff.goolnik@gogglemail.com
Recommended by Ian Ruxton
