Geoffrey de Havilland
| Sir Geoffrey de Havilland | |
|---|---|
| Born |
27 July 1882 High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England |
| Died | 21 May 1965 (aged 82) Watford, Hertfordshire, England |
| Cause of death | Cerebral haemorrhage |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Oxford |
| Occupation | Aircraft engineer |
| Known for | Aircraft designer |
| Spouse(s) | Louise Thomas (1909–1949) ended with her death Joan Mary Firth (1951–1965) ended with his death |
| Children | 3 sons, Geoffrey Jr., Peter and John |
| Parent(s) | Charles de Havilland (father) Jeanette "Nettie" Saunders (mother) |
| Relatives |
Hereward (brother) Olivia de Havilland (cousin) Joan Fontaine (cousin) |
Captain Sir Geoffrey de Havilland OM CBE AFC RDI FRAeS (27 July 1882 – 21 May 1965) was a British aviation pioneer and aircraft engineer. His Mosquito has been considered the most versatile warplane ever built, and his Comet was the first jet airliner to go into production.
Born at Magdala House, Terriers, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, de Havilland was the second son of The Reverend Charles de Havilland and his first wife, Alice Jeannette (née Saunders). He was educated at Nuneaton Grammar School, St Edward's School, Oxford and the Crystal Palace School of Engineering (from 1900 to 1903).
Upon graduating from engineering training, de Havilland pursued a career in automotive engineering, building cars and motorcycles. He took an apprenticeship with engine manufacturers Willans & Robinson of Rugby, after which he worked as a draughtsman for The Wolseley Tool and Motor Car Company Limited in Birmingham, a job from which he resigned after a year. He then spent two years working in the design office of Motor Omnibus Construction Company Limited in Walthamstow. While there he designed his first aero engine and had the first prototype made by Iris Motor Company of Willesden.
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