Did you know? Masonic Philately

Sir George Cathcart No. 617

Sir Thomas Telford.  (1757–1834)

Scottish Civil Engineer.

Operative and Speculative Mason

 

 

 

 

Nicknamed “The Collossus of Roads”but told everyone to call him “Tammy”

Telford opened up Northern Scotland by building roads and waterways. He constructed many aqueducts and canals, including the Caledonian Canal 1802–23, and erected the Menai road suspension bridge 1819–26, a type of structure scarcely tried previously in England. In Scotland he constructed over 1,600 km/1,000 ml of road and 1,200 bridges, churches, and harbours.

 

In 1963 the new town of Telford, Shropshire, 32 km/20 ml NW of Birmingham, was named after him, and a local roundabout has as its centrepiece a large copy of Telfords Masons Mark.

 

Telford was born in Westerkirk, Dumfries, and began as a stonemason. Moving to London, he found employment building additions to Somerset House in the Strand under the supervision of architect William Chambers. Recognising his talents, the rich and famous were soon consulting him about their own buildings.

 

In 1786, Telford was appointed official surveyor to the county of Shropshire. There he built three bridges over the river Severn, among other structures. He also rebuilt many Roman roads to meet the need for faster travel.

 

As engineer to the Ellesmere Canal Company from 1793, Telford was responsible for the building of aqueducts over the Ceirog and Dee valleys in Wales, using a new method of construction consisting of troughs made from cast-iron plates and fixed in masonry.

 

Bro. Thomas was a member of Salopian Lodge. No.262 E.C.

 

Stamps Issued:- G.B.  2007  Telford is depicted visualising a new bridge