Cornelius Vermuyden was a Dutch engineer who played a significant role in the drainage of the fens in eastern England during the 17th century.
He was born in Tholen, Zeeland, Netherlands, in 1595 and trained as an engineer.
In 1626, he was hired by King Charles I to drain the fens, which were prone to flooding and made agriculture difficult.
Vermuyden’s approach involved constructing large drainage channels called ‘washes’ that would carry water from the fens into nearby rivers. He also built embankments to prevent flooding and created new farmland by lowering the water table.
His work transformed the landscape of eastern England and made farming more profitable.
However, Vermuyden’s methods were controversial as they caused flooding downstream and displaced local communities. He faced opposition from landowners who had previously used the flooded areas for hunting and fishing.
Despite this, Vermuyden continued his work until his death in 1677.
Today, Vermuyden is remembered as a pioneer of land reclamation and drainage engineering. His legacy can be seen in the fertile farmland of eastern England which he helped to create.
The Fens App 