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‘Inventor of Ingenious Machines’: Life and Career of Sir Marc Isambard Brunel (1769-1849)

Mark Kleinman


Regions:
East of England, London, Surrey, Kent
Notice Period:
Regular (more than one month's notice)
Fee:
Expensed: Standard Class rail travel or equivalent
Category:
History
Updated:
30th June 2026
Tagged:

Marc Isambard Brunel (1769-1849) shaped the modern world through two major innovations: the industrial production line which vastly expanded the scope and scale of the economy; and the tunnelling shield which enabled him to build the Thames Tunnel, the first tunnel under a major river anywhere in the world. Brunel's shield became the template for later tunnelling innovations for the development of urban subways which in turn enabled the exponential growth of cities. His achievements have been over-shadowed by the reputation of his son, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, but the genius of both Brunels deserve to be recognised.

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About Mark Kleinman

I am a writer, speaker and researcher, based in Cambridge and London. As a Museum Ambassador and Tour Guide at the Brunel Museum in Rotherhithe, London I tell the story of the Thames Tunnel, the first tunnel under a river anywhere in the world and the stories of its creators, Marc Isambard Brunel and his son Isambard Kingdom Brunel. I am also a Discover Volunteer at the Imperial War Museum Duxford and a Visitor Experience Volunteer at the Centre for Computing History in Cambridge.

Previously I have held a number of UK academic posts, including at the University of Cambridge, the London School of Economics and King’s College London, as well as visiting appointments at the University of Toronto and the University of New South Wales. I have written four books and more than 100 published papers, and I have given many talks and presentations across the UK, and in Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, China and Japan.


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