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Drummond, Thomas 1797-1840
Scottish engineer and politician

Born in Edinburgh and educated there and at Woolwich, he joined the Royal Engineers in 1815, and in 1820 joined the Ordnance Survey, whose work was immensely facilitated by his improved heliostat and limelight (the 'Drummond Light'); the latter was also developed at about the same time by Sir Goldsworthy Gurney. He became head of the boundary commission under the Reform Bill, and Under-Secretary for Ireland (practically its governor) in 1835.