HUGH MYDDELTON
Hugh Myddleton was a Welshman who became a successful goldsmith in the City of London and amassed further wealth from financing some of Sir Walter Raleigh's expeditions. He was also a Member of Parliament for 25 years. In 1609 he took over the franchise to supply London's water from springs in Hertfordshire. For this he designed a revolutionary aqueduct, “The New River”, which was completed in 1613. The technical skills required to achieve this feat has led some to call The New River “the greatest work of civil engineering since the Romans”. It stills supplies 8% of London’s fresh water over 400 years after it opened. Though not a household name, Myddleton is widely commemorated around the capital. He got a brand new statue just last year in Holborn.
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Peter Berthoud is an award winning City of Westminster Guide and self-confessed London obsessive. He spends virtually all of his time walking in, writing about, collecting images or reading material on London. |
