Isambard Kingdom Brunel was an English civil engineer who is considered one of the most ingenious figures in engineering history, his designs revolutionised public transport and modern engineering.
Brunel built the longest steam-powered paddle ship at the time and the first iron-hulled propeller-driven ship to cross the Atlantic
He nearly drowned working on the Thames Tunnel, almost fell off a basket hanging over the Avon River Gorge, survived a fire on the SS Great Western and nearly choked on a coin while performing a trick for his kids.
Brunel wanted his railway to be a smooth and fast journey, so he built the longest train tunnel at the time through Box hill.
Brunel was voted Second Greatest Briton after Churchill. He has several statues around the UK, a University named after him and many of his Bridges are still in use. You can even visit his preserved Ship the SS Great Britain.