The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Thomas, Hon. James Henry
Thomas, Hon. James Henry, M.L.C., M.I.C.E., formerly Director of Public Works and Commissioner of Railways, Western Australia, was the fourth son of William Thomas, of Berners Street, Oxford St., London, and was born on March 2nd, 1826. He was educated at University College School, London, from 1848 to 1854, and was engaged as superintending engineer in the royal arsenal of Spain, and on railways and other works in England, France and Belgium. In 1853 he became Engineer to the Fitzroy Dry Dock, Sydney, upon which he was employed from the laying of the first stone to its completion. At various times subsequently he held the offices, under the New South Wales Government, of Assistant Engineer for Roads and Bridges, Assistant Engineer for Railways, and for six years was Chief Engineer and Locomotive Superintendent of existing lines of railways. During his residence in New South Wales he surveyed the roads to Braidwood and Queanbeyan, with special reference to the laying down of a horse tramway from the city of Goulburn to those townships. In 1876 Mr. Thomas was appointed Director of Public Works and Commissioner of Railways in Western Australia, and subsequently became a member of the Executive and Legislative Councils. Mr. Thomas, who was elected a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers on Jan. 14th, 1879, died on July 16th, 1884.