![](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/26/488/medium_thumbnail_1862_0149__0002_.jpg)
John Watkins Brett 1805 - 1863
- occupation:
- Telegraphic engineer
- Nationality:
- British; English
- born in:
- Bristol, Bristol, England, United Kingdom
1851: successfully laid cable Dover-Calais; 1856: founded Atlantic Telegraph Company; 1858 - published 'On the origin and progress of the oceanic telegraph, with a few brief facts and opinions of the press'; never married, Brett bequeathed his estate to various missionary societies.