Famous Devon Figures

Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was born in April 1806, the only son of Sir Marc Brunel, who planned a tunnel under the Thames, which was built between 1825 and 1843. By the age of 16 Isambard was working in his father's office, and in his twenties became chief engineer to the Thames tunnel scheme. At 30 his first acquaintance with Torquay was when he was surveying land to extend the GWR line from Exeter to Newton Abbot. Deciding to retire to Devon Brunel and his wife Mary bought land at Watcombe where eventually Brunel Manor was built. After his death in 1859 his wife Mary continued to visit Torquay for another 20 years completing her husband's wish for a church and a school at Watcombe. There are blue plaques to Brunel at Barn Close Watcombe, Bishops Close at Paignton , Hookhills viaduct at Goodrington and Vomero House Torquay.