Washington Augustus Roebling was born as the first child by Johann and Johanna Roebling in Saxonburg/Pennsylvania on May 26th, 1837. He passed his test as a Civil Engineer in July 1857.
Washington Augustus Roebling was born as the first child by Johann and Johanna Roebling in Saxonburg/Pennsylvania on May 26th, 1837. He passed his test as a Civil Engineer in July 1857. He could gain valuable experience as a soldier in the American Civil War (1861 - 1864) in the practice of bridge building. He married in January 1865 the 21-year-old Emily Warren. As of spring 1865 he supported his father at the completion of the Ohio Bridge in Cincinnati. His father sent the young couple to Europe in summer 1867. Washington could study the compressed air proceedings for the foundation of piers under water. After the tragic death of his father he was appointed Chief Engineer on August 3rd, 1869. The work on the Brooklyn Bridge was started on January 3rd, 1870. In summer 1872 he suffered from the caisson disease it kept him away from physical work, since he was paralyzed. His wife was respected by the engineer