Leffert Lefferts Buck (February 5, 1837 – July 7, 1909)[2] was an American civil engineer and a pioneer in the use of steel arch bridge structures.[1]
Leffert L. Buck | |
|---|---|
 Leffert L. Buck at the age of 50 | |
| Born | Leffert Lefferts Buck February 5, 1837 |
| Died | July 17, 1909 (aged 72) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | St. Lawrence University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Engineering career | |
| Projects | Williamsburg Bridge |
| Signature | |
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Career
editLeffert Buck was born in Canton, New York.[3] He graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1863.[4] After his graduation from St. Lawrence, Buck enlisted and fought for the Union Army in the American Civil War under General Slocum, participating in the battles at Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Peachtree Creek, Resaca and Ringgold Gap.[5] Following the completion of the Civil War, Buck earned his civil engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, in 1868.[4]
Buck served as president of the American Society of Civil Engineers.[4] He also worked with Richard Buck, another prominent bridge engineer.[6]
Projects
editSome of his projects include:
- The Verrugas Viaduct on the Oroya Railroad in Peru (in the early 1870s).[7]
- The Whirlpool Rapids Bridge over the Niagara Gorge,[4] which still exists. He reconstructed and reinforced the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge,[3] which allowed traffic to continue while the Whirlpool bridge was under construction.[8] Steel towers and framework supporting the project were removed once it was completed.[9] At the time of completion, it was the longest arch bridge ever built (168 meters across).[10]
- The Williamsburg Bridge, one of New York City's most notable landmarks, with Henry Hornbostel. At 1,600 feet it was the longest bridge in the world when completed in 1903 and a key factor in opening Brooklyn up as a working-class neighborhood for Manhattan. The bridge is well known for its vast reach and massive symmetry.[11][5]
- The Pont De Rennes bridge (former Platt Street bridge) that spans the Genesee River in Rochester at the High Falls.[12]
- Engineered the Queensboro Bridge in New York City.[7]
Death and legacy
editBuck died on July 7, 1909, in Hastings, New York.[4] His widow, Mira Gould Buck, died in Eastview, New York, in 1946 at the age of 84.[13]
A dormitory in the Quadrangle complex at Rensselaer is named after him.[14]
References
edit- ^ a b The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. Vol. 10. New York: James T. White & Company. 1900. pp. 115–116.
- ^ a b "Great Bridge Builder Dead". The New York Sun. July 18, 1909. p. 2. Retrieved July 17, 2022 – via Chronicling America.
- ^ a b Lewis 2008, p. 30.
- ^ a b c d e "Leffert L. Buck, Bridgemaker, Dead; Well-Known Civil Engineer a Victim of Apoplexy at the Breakfast Table. Built Niagara Bridges; Also the Williamsburg Bridge Over the East River and Others Abroad -- Was Wounded in the War". The New York Times. Hastings, New York. July 18, 1909. Retrieved July 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Mr. Buck the Engineer; Will Look After the New East River Bridge". The New York Times. August 3, 1895. p. 9. Retrieved July 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Richard Buck Dies; Noted for Bridges; Retired Engineer Helped Design the Williamsburg, Queensboro and Manhattan Spans". The New York Times. August 5, 1951. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- ^ a b "Lindenthal Bridge Plans Discarded; Commissioner Best Deems Them to be Impracticable. Architect Hornbostel to Get $60,000 for Campanile Scheme, but Will Be Deprived of Opportunity to Get $100,000 for Carrying Them Out". The New York Times. February 14, 1904. p. 8. Retrieved July 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Lewis 2008, p. 34.
- ^ Lewis 2008, p. 33.
- ^ Lewis 2008, p. 40.
- ^ "Engineer Buck's Salary Cut.; Made Consulting Engineer of Williamsburg Bridge". The New York Times. May 1, 1902. p. 2. Retrieved July 17, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Teichman, Alan (November 5, 1999). "Leffert L. Buck Biography". www.teichman-home.org. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
- ^ "Mrs. Leffert Buck". The New York Times. January 8, 1946. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- ^ "Quadrangle Complex". Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Retrieved September 12, 2009.
Sources
edit- Lewis, Paul (2008). Niagara's Gorge Bridges. Looking Back Press. ISBN 978-1-55068-925-9.