Benjamin Henry Latrobe II | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | December 19, 1806 |
| Died | October 19, 1878 (aged 71) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Resting place |
|
| Occupations |
|
| Employer | Baltimore and Ohio Railroad |
| Known for | Thomas Viaduct |
| Spouse |
Maria Eleanor "Ellen" Hazlehurst
(m. 1833; died 1872) |
| Children | 7 |
| Father | Benjamin Henry Latrobe |
| Relatives | Henry Sellon Boneval Latrobe (brother),Julia Latrobe (sister) John H. B. Latrobe (brother), |
Benjamin Henry Latrobe II (December 19, 1806 – October 19, 1878) was an American civil engineer best known for pioneering railway bridges, notably the Thomas Viaduct, and serving as chief engineer for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. His innovations in wooden bridges and curved masonry viaduct designs significantly advanced American civil engineering in the 19th century. Latrobe also collaborated with Wendel Bollman, a prominent bridge designer, who contributed to early developments in iron truss bridges. His engineering survey plans for crossing the Allegheny Mountains were later incorporated into legislation guiding the construction of the Pacific railroads, establishing his lasting impact on national infrastructure.