William Mylne (1734-1790), an architect
1734 Born in Edinburgh; his father, Thomas Mylne (d. 1763), was a master mason. Brother of Robert Mylne.
Apprenticed as a mason.
1755 The brothers travelled to Rome.
1758 Took over his father's business in Edinburgh on his return from Italy in 1758.
1768–72 With Robert, designed the Jamaica Bridge in Glasgow. Also preceded Robert in the work at Inveraray Castle.
William's main achievement would have been the [North Bridge at Edinburgh Waverley|North Bridge in Edinburgh]], but in August 1769, during its construction, an arch collapsed, killing five people. He was held financially responsible for this disaster.
1773 In some distress, he migrated to North America, where he worked as a planter in South Carolina and attempted, unsuccessfully, to become an architect in New York.
1774 he returned to settle in Ireland, where he became engineer to the Dublin waterworks, in which capacity he was responsible for extensive improvements.
1790 Died. 'At Dublin, William Mylne, Efq; architect, and chief engineer to the city Dublin. That city was very ill fupplied with water, but, by Mr Mylne's exertions, is now (next London) the beft fupplied with that neceffary article any city in the three kingdoms. A few years ago, the Magiftrates of Dublin prefented him with handfome piece of plate, a teftimony of their efteem. Mr was a member of the corporation of Edinburgh; was convener of the trades in and built the North Bridge that city. His anceftors have been mafons from father to fon in Edinburgh fome hundred years, one of which built the Palace of Holyrood houfe.'[1]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Scots Magazine - Monday 01 March 1790
- Biography of Robert Mylne, ODNB