Colburn, Zerah

Colburn, Zerah

(1832–70) mechanical engineer, author; born in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He worked on several railroads in the 1840s and 1850s. In 1850 he published The Locomotive Engine and later contributed numerous articles to journals. He was sent to research European railways, and the information he garnered led to significant improvements in U.S. railroad technology.