Cubitt,

Cubitt, SIR WILLIAM, engineer, born at Dilham, in Norfolk, in 1785, was a miller, cabinet-maker, and millwright until 1812, when he became chief-engineer in Messrs Ransome's works at Ipswich, where he was a partner from 1821 to 1826. In 1823 he joined the Institution of Civil Engineers, and removing to London, was afterwards engaged in most of the public undertakings of his day. The improvement of the Severn and of Boulogne port, the Bute docks at Cardiff, and the water-works for Berlin are among his works. He also invented the treadmill, and constructed the South-Eastern Railway; and for his services in connection with the erection of the Great Exhibition buildings he was knighted in 1851. He died 13th October 1861.