John Watkins Brett.
Telegraph engineer, was the son of a cabinet-maker, William Brett, of Bristol, England, and was born in that city in 1805.
Brett has been styled, and with apparent justice, the founder of submarine telegraphy.
The idea of sending electricity through submerged cables originated with him and his brother; after some years in perfecting his plans, he sought and obtained permission from Louis Phillipe in 1847 to establish telegraphic communication with France and England, but the project did not receive public attention, being regarded as too hazardous for general support.
The attempt was, however, made in 1850, and met with success, and the construction of numerous other submarine lines followed.
Brett always expressed confidence in the ultimate union of England and America by means of electricity, but did not live to see its final success.
He died on 3rd December, 1863, at the age of 58.
Brett published a book of 104 pages on the origin and progress of oceanic telegraphy. He also contributed several papers on the same subject to the Institute of Civil Engineers, of which he was a member.
A list of these contributions will be found in the index of the Proceedings of the Society.