Edward Sargent Shaw (October 26, 1853[1] – October 3, 1919[2]) was a prominent civil engineer who lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts.[3][4] Born on October 26, 1853, he spent most of his life in Cambridge, and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in the class of 1874; his thesis being a design for a Murphy-Whipple truss bridge.[5] Immediately following graduation he continued his studies in some non-degree capacity at his alma mater.[6] During his professional career, his office was located in Boston, Massachusetts.[7] He died of heart failure at the age of 65, on October 3, 1919.[3]
Edward S. Shaw | |
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| Born | October 26, 1853 |
| Died | October 3, 1919 (aged 65) |
| Resting place | Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Alma mater | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S.) |
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| Years active | 1874 – c. 1917 |
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Shaw was responsible for a number of bridges in New England, including:
- Bennett's Meadow Bridge, Northfield, Massachusetts
- Schell Bridge, Northfield, Massachusetts
- Shelburne Falls Bridge, Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts
- Willimansett Bridge, Willimansett, Chicopee, Massachusetts
Shaw also held at least 3 patents, including one for the draw bridge, one for a railway superstructure design, and even a design for an electric locomotive. It is unknown if these designs were implemented in any capacity in his work.
- United States Patent 159,046, Edward S. Shaw, "Improvement in Joints for Iron Truss-Bridges", issued January 6, 1875
- United States Patent 361,029, Edward S. Shaw, "Elevated Railway Superstructure", issued April 12, 1887
- United States Patent 367,069, Edward S. Shaw, "Electric Locomotive", issued July 26, 1887
- United States Patent 564,164, Edward S. Shaw, "Bascule or Tilting Bridge", issued July 14, 1896