GeneralWilliam Twiss, (1745 – 14 March 1827), was aBritish ArmyRoyal Engineer, responsible for the design of many military defences.
Probably born inKent in 1744 or 1745, Twiss worked in the ordnance office at theTower of London from 1760, before becoming overseer of works atGibraltar. Receiving a commission in the army in 1763. Returning to England, he commenced work on the defences atPortsmouth Dockyard, before accompanying General SirJohn Burgoyne's army toCanada in 1776, where he was responsible for a number of defensive programmes. He returned to England in 1783. Over the following years, Twiss oversaw the construction of various defences, including the chain ofMartello Towers along the Kent and Sussex coastline. Twiss also accompanied the army on expeditions to theNetherlands, theChannel Islands andIreland. In 1795 he was made governor of theRoyal Military Academy, Woolwich. Twiss was promoted toMajor General in 1805, and in 1809 became colonel-commandant of Royal Engineers Corps. 1825 saw him made full general.[1]
After retiring, Twiss lived atMyrtle Grove inBingley,West Yorkshire.[2] He died 14 March 1827, aged 82, and is buried in the church of All Saints, Bingley.[1]
Twiss married Elizabeth Wood (1740/41–1835), in 1775. They had one daughter, Katherine Maria (1776–1827).[1]
He is commemorated in the naming of Twiss Road inHythe, Kent.
Twiss's engineering projects include:
