Metcalf, John

Metcalf, John (1717-1810), engineer, b. Knaresborough, Yorkshire, England.

'Blind Jack of Knaresborough', as Metcalf was known, was one of the great road builders of the 18th century.

He had smallpox at the age of six and this left him blind, but he was tall and vigorous and he joined the English Army as a musician.

He was present at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

Afterwards he carried goods by wagon in Yorkshire and only began road building at the age of forty-eight.

He built over 155 miles (250 kilometers) of roads in the North of England. First he made a firm base. Then he built up a top surface of broken stones and gravel in a curve. At the sides of the road he cut ditches to allow rainwater to run away.