The English-Speaking Union and The Victorian Society                                                 Present 

Brunel: The Man Who Changed the World

The Victorians' favorite word for machines and engineering was 'promethean' and the adjective suggests gigantic, world changing, world shocking design. Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859) was the quintessential promethean engineer who changed the world. His first project, London's Thames Tunnel, is the birthplace of urban transport. It was the eighth wonder of the world to the Victorians. His last project, the SS Great Eastern, changed trade and the shape of the world. People lined Manhattan fifty deep to see the first modern ocean liner come up the river in 1860. Robert Hulse will examine Brunel as visionary engineer, showman and world changer. Of Isambard Brunel, BBC broadcaster Jeremy Clarkson explained, 'Brunel built Britain, and Britain built the world, which means Brunel built the world'.

Robert Hulse, MA, is one of the English-Speaking Union's Evelyn Wrench Speakers for 2015. He is the Director of London's Brunel Museum, housed in Brunel's original Thames Tunnel engine house and winner of The Queen's Award in 2010. He is co-author of   The Brunels' Tunnel, with a foreword by Michael Palin. Mr. Hulse has worked in education and museums for 20 years. He has taught at London University and City University; lectured at Chiba University, Tokyo; the Royal Institution of Great Britain and Tel Aviv University. Hulse worked with the Greater London Authority to organize the first public walks through the Thames Tunnel in 145 years. He is now working with Brunel Museum Trustees on a new project to build a visitor center in Brunel's Grand Entrance Hall.

His talk will take place on Wednesday, April 22 at 6:00 PM at the West End Museum, 150 Staniford Street, Boston.

Seating is limited and upon reaching capacity a waiting list will be started.   

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