John Penn (engineer)

John Penn
John Penn
Born1805
Died1878
Lee, Kent
NationalityBritish [English]
OccupationEngineer
SpouseEllen English (m. 1847)
Engineering career
InstitutionsRoyal Society
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Significant advanceHigh-power oscillating engine
Trunk engine
Lignum vitae stern bearing (with Francis Pettit Smith)

John Penn FRS (1805–1878) was an English marine engineer whose firm was pre-eminent in the middle of the 19th century due to his innovations in engine and propeller systems, which led his firm to be the major supplier to the Royal Navy as it made the transition from sail to steam power. He was also president of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers on two occasions.