The Honourable Sir Francis Spring KCIE |
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Member of the Imperial Legislative Council | |
In office 1910–1913 |
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Member of the Madras Legislative Council | |
In office 1900–1901 |
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Personal details | |
Born |
Francis Joseph Edward Spring 20 January 1849 Baltimore, County Cork, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
Died | 25 August 1933 Saint Aubin, Jersey, United Kingdom |
(aged 84)
Alma mater | Trinity College, Dublin |
Religion | Church of Ireland |
Sir Francis Joseph Edward Spring KCIE (20 January 1849 – 25 August 1933) was an Anglo-Irish civil engineer and member of the Imperial Legislative Council who played a pioneering role in development of the Indian Railways. Spring is largely remembered today for championing the cause of the Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.
Spring was born in Baltimore, County Cork, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on 20 January 1849 to Rev. Edward Spring and his wife Matilda. He was a descendant of the Spring family of County Kerry and a relation of Baron Monteagle of Brandon. Spring was educated at Midleton College and Trinity College, Dublin.
Upon graduating from Trinity College, Spring entered the Indian Imperial Civil Service's engineering section in 1870. He served as Consulting Engineer to the Government of India and played a pivotal role in the development of railways in East India. He is credited with the construction of an acclaimed railway bridge across the Godavari River. He served as the Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, Under Secretary to the Government of Bengal and as the manager of the extensive East Coast Railway. He was also Secretary to the Government of Madras with responsibility for railways in the region. Spring was a regular contributor to engineering and India-focused journals throughout his career.