December 15, 2021

Virtual Lunch Meeting - 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Please join CSCE at a virtual lunch meeting on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. At this meeting, Steven Pennington, P.E., PLS, of Geo-Instruments will give a presentation on Benjamin Wright, the Father of American Civil Engineering. In Benjamin Wright. The Father of American Civil Engineering, Steven Pennington chronicles Wright’s life and varied career from country surveyor to his early work on America’s railroads. After surveying the Mohawk River for navigation improvements and supervising the engineering of the Erie Canal project, Wright then went on to contribute to such projects as the Chesapeake and Delaware canal near Philadelphia, and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal near Washington, DC. From the capital city, Wright advanced his engineering practice as America grew and viewed its manifest expansion to the West.

Throughout his life and work, Wright’s personal connections, politically, socially, and technically, were far reaching. Wright understood the mechanics and connectivity of how politics and economics demonstrated themselves. He worked with leaders across the business and the engineering community to make lasting social, economic, and historical contribution.

Benjamin Wright understood the necessity to establish an organization of practicing engineers to stimulate technical, business, ethical, and professional attitudes. In 1839, he participated in organizational meetings of what would become the American Society of Civil Engineers. For this reason, along with several others, ASCE declared Wright in 1970 the Father of American Civil Engineering. This presentation offers a glimpse into the life and work of Benjamin Wright, a native son of Connecticut, and explores the various facets of his career which set about ASCE’s decision to designate him the father of the profession in America. 

FREE Presentation
ATTENTION: There is no charge to view this presentation.
When registering for this presentation, please type NOFEE in the Promo Code Box. This will offset the $5 Event Fee listed in Constant Contact.