Monday Mems #6: WHM The Woman Behind the Brooklyn Bridge

EMILY ROEBLING

Commonly described as "a woman of strong character with an almost masculine intellect", Emily Roebling's legacy is just now beginning to receive the respect it deserves. Born in Cold Springs, NY in 1843, Roebling was one of 12 siblings. Her father, an New York State assemblyman, and mother, a house wife, had always encouraged Emily to pursue education; so long as that education was in housekeeping and needle-work. It was her older brother, Gouverneur K. Warren, who encouraged her to pursue education how she saw fit. Roebling attended the prestigious "Georgetown Academy of the Visitation, where she studied history, astronomy, French and algebra, among other subjects[.]" Shortly after, her brother introduced her to her future husband, Washington Roebling; a civil engineer known for his work in suspension bridges. Washington always regarded Emily as a woman of "infinite tact and wisest counsel", so when it came time to build what he called "the greatest bridge in existence" (the Brooklyn bridge), his wife became his greatest counsel. However, when he fell ill to a mysterious illness that incapacitated him, Emily took over and became his "eyes and ears". She negotiated the supply materials, oversaw the contracts, and acted as liaison to the board of trustees. While her husband was the de jure Chief Engineer, she had become the projects de facto Chief Engineer. It is widely accepted among historians that without Emily Roebling and her innate knack for diplomacy and project management, the Brooklyn Bridge would have never been completed

See the complete story on our Instagram @rbconstructandremodel.