Brian Harper (engineer)

He later retired from professional practice and pursued his interest in the history of civil engineering. He also studied under Roderick Weir Home, Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Melbourne. Harper became a member of the National Trust expert historic bridges committee in 2000, continuing on the committee up to its folding in 2012.^[5] He has been active in nominating National Engineering Landmarks^[6] and also became a member of the exclusive Wallaby Club in 2008.^[7]

His research has looked into the development of civil engineering during the 19th century, in Britain and in Victoria and links between engineers training in Britain and working on railway and water supply in Victoria, Australia. In particular he has focused his research and publications on the Gold Fields Railways, and the design of the iron bridges on the Bendigo and Ballarat railway lines.^[8]

• Craft to Applied Science: The Institution of Civil Engineers^[9]
• The chalk-water controversy in early Victorian London^[10]
• Edward Dobson and the Mass Concrete Gravity Dam on Stony Creek for the Geelong Water Supply^[11]
• The True History of the Design of the Melbourne, Mt Alexander and Murray River Railway.^[12]
• Early Iron Bridges on the Bendigo Railway^[13]
• The Victorian Gold Fields Water Supply Scheme of 1862^[14]