Daniel Asher Alexander

Daniel Asher Alexander (1768-1846) was an English architect, engineer and surveyor born in London. In 1792 he was appointed surveyor for the Rochester bridges trust. From 1794 he worked for the prospective London Docks Company, having already designed warehouses, and planned two linked docks covering thirty-five acres with entrances at Wapping and Blackwall or Shadwell. He and John Rennie both gave evidence to Parliament in 1796 in support of the bill, and a modified version of his proposal formed the basis of the 1800 Act. The company appointed him surveyor, with Rennie engaged as engineer in 1801 and leading the dock design while Alexander handled the warehouses. He also designed Dartmoor Prison in 1806 and Maidstone Prison in 1809, left the dock company in 1821, became surveyor to Trinity House, and died at Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.