Biographical entry Buncle, John (1822 - 1889)

Summary

John Buncle established an engineering firm in Melbourne in 1853, supplying the ironwork for several large bridges for Melbourne and other parts of Victoria. The agricultural implements and machinery he invented were significant in the evolution of 'extensive' farming techniques in the nineteenth century.

Details

Born Edinburgh, 12 October 1822. Died Melbourne, 26 December 1889. Apprenticeships in engineering and pianoforte-making; worked for several firms designing steam engines and locomotives; chief draftsman and designer, London and Northwestern Railway workshops, Crewe, Cheshire for six years; Vulcan foundry ca 1845-52; arrived Melbourne 1852; Langlands foundry 1853; his own business from 1853, doing a variety of tradesmen's jobs, later settled to engineering and contracting interests and gradually turning to the design and construction of agricultural implements and machinery with which his name is chiefly associated; took an active part in founding the Hotham School of Design and taught mechanical drawing in its early years. Sometime president, Melbourne Chamber of Manufactures. Twice mayor of Hotham (North Melbourne).

Published resources

Book Sections

• Thompson, A. G., 'Buncle, John (1822?-1889), manufacturer and inventor', in Douglas Pike (ed.), Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 3, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1969, pp. 295-296. Also available at http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A030274b.htm. Details

Online Resources

• 'Buncle, John (1822-1889)', Trove, National Library of Australia, 2009, http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-1463796. Details