The New International Encyclopædia/Rennie, George

REN'NIE, George (1791-1866). An English civil engineer. He was born in Surrey, the eldest son of John Rennie (q.v.), and at the ago of sixteen entered Edinburgh University. He returned to London in 1811, and began the practical study of engineering under his father. In 1818 he was appointed superintendent of the machinery of the mint, and at the same time aided his father in the planning and designing of several of his later works. After his father's death, in 1821, Rennie entered into partnership with his younger brother, John (afterwards Sir John Rennie), as engineer and machinery constructor. Their operations included the construction of bridges, harbors, docks, ship-yards, and dredging machinery, steam factories, both in Great Britain and on the Continent, and the furnishing of engines for warships of England, Russia, France, Italy, Mexico. etc. Rennie in addition was engaged in the drainage of large tracts in the midland counties of England and the construction of several Continental railways. He was greatly interested in the development of the screw propeller, and after building the engines for the Archimedes boat with a novel form of screw, constructed the Dwarf, the first screw vessel in the British Navy. He was the author of various papers published in the Philosophical Transactions.