James Finley

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American civil engineer

United States ScientistsLived 1756 to 1828 · aged 72

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Fame38.3

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Languages8

In century#8,821

James Finley, aka Judge James Finley, is widely recognized as the first designer and builder of the modern suspension bridge. 16 km2) farm in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, near Uniontown.

Also inDeutsch

Photos 1

"View of the Chain Bridge invented by James Finley Esqr." (1810), wood engraving, William Strickland, delineator, The Port Folio [Magazine], June 1810. The 200-foot span shown in this image makes it almost certainly the Chain Bridge at Falls of Schuylkill.

Scientists from United States 6

Robert G. Sachs38.3

Alexander Gorlov38.3 Edward L. Wright38.3

Floy Agnes Lee38.3 Stephen Brush38.3 Kent Ford38.3

About this person

James Finley, aka Judge James Finley, is widely recognized as the first designer and builder of the modern suspension bridge. Born in Ireland, Finley moved to a 287-acre (1.16 km2) farm in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, near Uniontown. Elected a justice of the peace in 1784, he went on to become county commissioner in 1789, and a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate. From 1791 until his death, he was an Associate Judge for Fayette County. His Jacob's Creek Bridge, built in 1801 for US$600, and demolished in 1833, was the first example of a suspension bridge using wrought iron chains and with a level deck. It connected Uniontown to Greensburg, spanning 70 feet, and was 12 feet 6 inches (3.81 m) wide. Finley is also credited with designing and constructing a chain suspension bridge across Dunlap's Creek in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, in 1809. In 1820, however, the bridge collapsed under a heavy snow combined with the loads from a six-horse wagon team. The bridge was replaced by the Dunlap's Creek Bridge, the country's first cast-iron bridge, in 1835.

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United States