Warren, William Henry

Civil engineer who became the first Professor of Engineering at the University of Sydney. 

After two years’ service with the New South Wales Department of Public Works, Warren initiated the teaching of engineering at the University of Sydney in March 1883.  He remained Head of the Department of Engineering until his retirement at the end of 1925. 

Warren’s main interest was in materials and structures.  He was the author of three editions of a widely used textbook: the first Australia-based publication in this field.  He also imported Australia’s first materials testing machine in 1885, the results from which on Australian materials were of national importance.