Lewis B. Stillwell

In the field of electrical engineering Lewis Buckley Stillwell was conspicuous as designer, builder, operator and inventor. As chief electrical engineer of Westinghouse he did his first notable research work, rendering services of great importance in the development of the alternating current for commercial use and in the establishment of standard frequencies. His first great construction was the layout and design of the first plant of the Niagara Falls Power Company. Thereafter he came to New York where for thirty-eight years, as consultant, he engaged in a succession of electrical engineering undertakings of the first magnitude. Among these were the electrification of the elevated lines in this city and of the Erie Railroad, the building of the Interborough Subway, the Hudson tubes and the Holland Tunnel. Since 1927 he was a consulting engineer of the Port of New York Authority. Recognition of his abilities was wide. The Lamme Medal was awarded to him by the Institute of Electrical Engineers, of which he had been president. He received the Edison Medal for “his pioneer work in the generation, distribution and utilization of electrical energy.” He was a life trustee of Princeton University.

Geoffrey Parsons
1941 Century Memorials