Henry Taylor Bovey

Who was Henry Taylor Bovey?

Henry Taylor Bovey, LLD, DCL, FRS was an engineering science academic. He was the first Rector of Imperial College of Science and Technology in London.

Henry Bovey was born in Devon. He was educated at Queens' College, Cambridge, where he graduated BA in 1873. He was subsequently elected a Fellow of the college. Joining the staff of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board in Liverpool, he became an assistant engineer. He trained with Sir George Lister in the area of structures.

In 1877, Bovey took up the position of professor of civil engineering and applied mechanics at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where using his administrative skills he developed the Engineering Faculty.

Bovey was offered the position of Rector of Imperial College in 1907, although his health was failing by this time. The appointment was confirmed in May 1908 but his bad health meant that he had to resign the position at the end of 1909. In 1912, he died in Eastbourne.

Henry Bovey was a founder member of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers and the Liverpool Society of Civil Engineers. He was elected at a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.