Ralph Modjeski
| Ralph Modjeski | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Rudolf Modrzejewski January 27, 1861 Bochnia, Poland (then Austrian Empire) |
| Died | June 26, 1940 (aged 79) Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality | Polish |
| Occupation | Civil engineer |
| Awards |
Howard N. Potts Medal (1914) Franklin Medal (1923) John Fritz Medal (1930) |
Ralph Modjeski (born Rudolf Modrzejewski; January 27, 1861 – June 26, 1940) was a Polish civil engineer who achieved prominence as a pre-eminent bridge designer in the United States.
He was born in Bochnia (Salzberg), then in Galicia, Austrian Empire, on January 27, 1861, to Gustav Sinnmayer Modrzejewski and actress Helena Opid Modrzejewska (best known outside Poland as Helena Modjeska). In 1865 his mother left Sinnmayer, and in 1868 she married "Count" Karol Bożenta Chłapowski. In July 1876 they emigrated to America, where, as a matter of convenience, the boy's mother altered her name to Helena Modjeska and her son's name to Ralph Modjeski.
He was a classmate of Ignacy Jan Paderewski in Poland and was a formidable pianist in his own right.
The son returned to Europe to study at l'Ecole des Ponts et Chaussées (the School of Bridges and Roads) in Paris, France. It was in 1883, while studying at Paris, that he obtained American citizenship. However, he always maintained contact with Poland, wrote much in Polish, and emphasized his Polish origins.
In 1885 he graduated from the School of Bridges and Roads at the top of his class. The same year, he married Felicie Benda; the couple had three children. He would later marry Virginia Mary Giblyn.
Modjeski returned to America to begin his career, working first under the "father of American bridge-building," George S. Morison. In 1893, in Chicago, Modjeski opened his own design office, which still exists as "Modjeski & Masters," after it was joined in 1924 by Frank M. Masters.
Modjeski's first project as chief engineer was the railroad bridge across the Mississippi River at Rock Island, Illinois. During his career, he served as chief or consulting engineer on dozens of bridges around the country.
...
Wikipedia