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As a professional body, it is committed to support and promote professional learning (both to students and existing practitioners), managing professional ethics and safeguarding the status of engineers, and representing the interests of the profession in dealings with government, etc. It sets standards for membership of the body; works with industry and academia to progress engineering standards and to advise on education and training curricula; publishes technical studies of aspects of civil engineering, and publishes a weekly magazine, the New Civil Engineer.
Students pursuing recognised academic courses in civil engineering can join the ICE as student members. After completing their studies, individuals can become graduate members – a step closer to achieving full Member status (MICE). The pinnacle of professional standing is to then be accepted as a Fellow.
The late 18th century and early 19th century saw the founding of many learned societies and professional bodies (for example, the Royal Society and the Law Society). Groups calling themselves civil engineers had been meeting for some years from the late 18th century, notably the Society of Civil Engineers formed in 1771 by John Smeaton (renamed the Smeatonian Society after his death). However, apart from groups centred upon universities and other centres of learning such as military engineering academies (eg: the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich) and Mechanics Institutes, there was no body promoting the profession of civil engineering.
The initiative to found the Institution was taken in 1818 by three young engineers, Henry Robinson Palmer (23), James Jones (28) and Joshua Field (32), who organised an inaugural meeting on the 2nd January 1818, at the Kendel Coffee House in Fleet StreetFor the television series tentatively titled Fleet Street, see Boston Legal. Fleet Street is a famous London street, traditionally the home of the national press. Despite the fact that all the major newspapers have now moved out of their Fleet Street offi. The institution made little headway until a key step was taken - the appointment of Thomas TelfordThomas Telford ( August 9, 1757 September 2, 1834) was born in Westerkirk, Scotland. He was a stonemason, architect and civil engineer a noted road-, bridge- and canal- builder. Early career At the age of 14 he was apprenticed to a stonemason, and some of as the first President of the body. Greatly respected within the profession and blessed with numerous contacts across the industry and in government circles, he was instrumental in drumming up membership and getting a Royal CharterIn the United Kingdom a Royal Charter is a charter granted by the Sovereign on the advice of the Privy Council, which creates or gives special status to an incorporated body. It is an exercise of the Royal Prerogative. At one time a Royal Charter was the for the ICE in 1828Events January 4 The Vicomte de Martignac succeeds the Comte de Villele as Prime Minister of France. January 22 The Duke of Wellington succeeds Lord Goderich as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He repeals the Test Act, emancipating all Catholics, and. This official recognition helped establish the ICE as the pre-eminent organisation for civil engineers.
After Telford’s death in 1834, the organisation moved into premises in Great George Street in the heart of WestminsterWestminster is the name of a city that covers much of central London, located to the west of the ancient City of London, and which has been the principal seat of government in England for more than nine hundred years. Both cities, and much of the surround in 1839, and began to publish learned papers on engineering topics. Its members, notably William Cubitt , were also prominent in the organisation of the Great Exhibition of 1851.
In some respects the ICE was ahead of its time, providing a focus for engineers from other disciplines. Mechanical engineer and tool-maker Henry MaudslayHenry Maudslay ( August 22, 1771 February 14 1831), born Woolwich, England. He was a Machine tool maker and inventor. His father served as a Wheelwright in the Royal Engineers but was wounded in action so became a storekeeper at the Woolwich Arsenal, Lond was an early member and Joseph WhitworthSir Joseph Whitworth, Baronet ( December 21, 1803 January 22, 1887) was an English engineer and entrepreneur. Whitworth was born in Stockport and at a young age developed an interest in machinery. He worked as a mechanic in Manchester and then in London f presented one of the earliest papers – it was not until 1847 that the Institution of Mechanical Engineers was established (with George Stephenson as its first President).
By the end of the 19th century, the ICE had introduced examinations for professional engineering qualifications to help ensure and maintain high standards among its members – a role it continues today.