James Brindley

James Brindley (1716-1772) was an English Engineer. He was born in Thornsett, Derbyshire, and lived in Leek, Staffordshire. Brindley received little formal education and was practically illiterate, this however didn't stop him from becoming one of the most notable engineers of the 18th century.

He built 365 miles of canals and many watermills, including the Bridgewater Canal (the first canal of the modern era), the Coventry Canal, the Oxford Canal and numerous others, and he also constructed the watermill at Leek, now the Brindley Water Museum.

He is remembered in Birmingham by Brindley Drive (on the site of former canal yards), the Brindleyplace mixed-use development and a pub, The James Brindley (both being canal-side features).