Edward James Reed (1830–1906)

Naval architect and politician. Graduated from the Central School of Mathematics and Naval Architecture, Portsmouth, in 1852. Supernumerary draughtsman, Sheerness, 1852–3. Editor of Mechanic’s Magazine from 1853. Secretary of the Institute of Naval Architects from 1860; chief constructor of the Royal Navy, 1863–70. Proprietor and editor of Naval Science, 1872–5. Liberal MP for Pembroke from 1874; for Cardiff, 1880–95 and 1900–6. Innovator in ship design; designed ships for many countries, and wrote numerous books and articles, including the textbook Shipbuilding in iron and steel (1869) and two volumes of poetry. Knighted, 1880. FRS 1876.