Montgomery Case

Montgomery Babcock Case (February 11, 1882 — May 7, 1953) was an American civil engineer and esteemed bridge builder.[1][2] He is associated with the development of 14 bridges. As of 2018, they cumulatively transit over 400 million vehicles per year.

Montgomery B. Case
BornFebruary 11, 1882
Monmouth, Illinois
DiedMay 7, 1953 (aged 71)
Englewood, New Jersey
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Illinois
OccupationCivil engineer
Known forGeorge Washington Bridge
Spouse(s)Maybelle B. Case (m.1910-1945)
Relatives

His most notable project, the George Washington Bridge, achieved multiple world records including span length, cofferdam size, and use of deflection; earning the designation "Eighth Wonder of the World."[3] Le Corbusier called it "the most beautiful bridge in the world."[4] As of 2018, it is the busiest motor vehicle bridge on earth, transiting over 1 billion vehicles from 2008-2018.[5] It is also home to the world's largest free-flying American flag and was featured on the History Channel series Modern Marvels.

Case was named after his third great-grandfather, William Montgomery,[6] who was a colonel in the America Revolutionary War. During the New York and New Jersey Campaign, Colonel Montgomery's regiment retreated from Fort Washington across the Hudson River to Fort Lee. One hundred and fifty one years later, Case erected the George Washington Bridge at the same location.

Career

Montgomery Case was born in Monmouth, Illinois, to Lyman and Carrie (née Rice) Case. His uncle, Thomas Munger, was a major influence on his career.[7] From his guidance, Case attended the University of Nebraska from 1902-1904 and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1906 with a bachelor of science in civil engineering.[8] He was a member of Delta Tau Delta. After graduation, he married Maybelle Betsy McConnell (b.1880—d.1945) in 1910[9] and began working with Ralph Modjeski on the Columbia River Railroad Bridge, followed by several more projects into the early 1920s. Throughout the 1920s he worked with Othmar Ammann. Following the death of Clement E. Chase, who was killed during an inspection of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Case returned to Modjeski in 1933 and became a full partner alongside Frank M. Masters, forming Modjeski, Masters, and Case.[10][11] He retired in 1940.[1]

Case also served as an advisor to the War Manpower Commission,[1] chief construction engineer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,[12] and regularly lectured at Princeton University.[13] He was a member of American Society of Civil Engineers and American Railway Bridge and Building Association.

Associated projects

Media
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References
  1. "MONTGOMERY-CASE, A BRIDGE ENGINEER; Construction Chief on George Washington Span Dead — Was Expert on Design". New York Times. May 9, 1953.
  2. "Montgomery B. Case, Noted Bridge Builder, Dies". The Morning News. 9 May 1953.
  3. Hull, Reuben (October 25, 2016). "85 Years Strong, George Washington Bridge Still Adds Grace to NYC Skyline". American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
  4. CARMODY, DEIRDRE (October 10, 1981). "A 50-YEAR VIEW OF THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE". New York Times.
  5. "GWB Traffic & Volume Information". Port of Authority NY & NJ.
  6. "Find A Grave - Montgomery Babcock Case".
  7. "Schools and Colleges". The Nebraska State Journal. 31 July 1916.
  8. "Nebraskan Has Big Bridge Job". The Lincoln Star. 22 January 1922.
  9. "MRS. MONTGOMERY B. CASE, Wife of Construction Engineer for George Washington Bridge". New York Times. October 5, 1945.
  10. "Modjeski and Masters History, 1930-1939".
  11. "John R. Giese To Supervise Blue Water Main Span". The Times Herald. 30 June 1937.
  12. "The Port of New York Authority, Eleventh Annual Report" (PDF). 31 December 1931.
  13. "Princeton Alumni Weekly, Volume 32, Number 1". 25 September 1931.
  14. "Harahan Bridge In use". The Nebraska State Journal. 23 July 1916.
  15. "New Span To Be Lecture Subject". The Montclair Times. 6 November 1931.
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