John Metcalf (1717-1810), known as Blind Jack, was the first professional road builder to emerge during the Industrial Revolution. Blind from the age of six, he was known for the period between 1765 and 1792 when he built about 180 miles (290 km) of turnpike road, mainly in the north of England. He became known as one of the fathers of the modern road. From "Collection of four hundred portraits of remarkable, eccentric and notorious personages," circa 1880. Colorized.

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