In the year of 1806, it was as if a miracle had happened in the Victorian era. Isambard Kingdom Brunel was born. Brunel had two sisters, Emma and Sophie. His parents were called Mark and Sophie Brunel. Mark Brunel was a famous French engineer and from an early age Brunel was encouraged to help his father.

It is said that in his early school years, Brunel was bright, inquisitive and open minded. So much so that he went to Caen collage, a boarding school in France, in 1820.

In 1830 Brunel’s first major job was as chief engineer for his father, on the Thames tunnel in London. The tunnel collapsed several times. One of the times it collapsed Brunel was extremely lucky, because when the water rushed into the tunnel, Brunel was washed up a stair well to safety.

After working for his father on the Thames Tunnel, in 1830, he went on to design and build railway bridges. As well as building railway bridges he also built ships. One of his most famous ships is the SS Great Britan and one of his most famous bridges is the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Sadly in 1859 at the age of 53 he tragically died from a stroke.

Brunel had a brilliant life and most of his designs/projects are still used today.

Year 5 pupil Peatmoor School, Swindon