The Last Known Photo of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Taken Ten Days Before His Death in 1859

A rare stereoscopic photograph of the British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, taken onboard the steamship Great Eastern, on September 5, 1859, the day of the Great Eastern’s maiden voyage. Seconds after the photo was taken Brunel suffered a massive stroke, collapsing on deck. He never regained consciousness, and died ten days later. The photo shows a man almost unrecognizable from his iconic, ruthless image.

Brunel is poised on the SS Great Eastern, leaning heavily on his walking stick for support.

There is a slight puffiness to his face and fingers, and he already looks like a sick man. Indeed, towards midday, he suffered a fit of paralysis and was taken back to his home in Duke Street. This was to be the last photograph of the great engineer.

Voted the second Greatest Briton of all time, after Winston Churchill, Isambard Kingdom Brunel was one of the 19th century engineering giants. His achievements, many of which are still part of our everyday lives and landscape, are a lasting testament to his far-sighted genius.