November 27, 1880 – Sir Ralph Freeman, designer of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, is born

Sir Ralph Freeman

Ralph Freeman was born on 27 November 1880 in London, England.

After studying civil engineering at the City and Guilds of London Institute, he joined Douglas Fox & Partners, a firm of consulting engineers specialising in the design of steel bridges.

He rose to become senior partner and in 1938 the firm changed its name to Freeman Fox & Partners.

Freeman’s most famous design work can be seen on the Victoria Falls Bridge, completed in 1905, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, completed in 1932.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge connects the Sydney CBD with the North Shore commercial and residential areas on Sydney Harbour.

Pictures of the Harbour bridge, usually with the sails of the Sydney Opera House in the foreground, provide the image of Australia that tourists expect to see.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge remains an enduring testimony to the talent of its designer, Sir Ralph Freeman.