Who Is William LeMessurier? Age, Biography, and Wiki
William LeMessurier was born on June 12, 1926, and passed away in 2007. At the time of his passing, he had lived to the age of 81. A brilliant American structural engineer, LeMessurier was best known for his innovative designs and structural solutions, particularly in skyscraper construction. His notable works include the iconic Citicorp Center in New York City, where he identified and resolved critical design flaws that could have led to catastrophic failure. LeMessurier's expertise and commitment to safety solidified his legacy in engineering.
| Occupation | Technology |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 12, 1926 |
| Age | 81 Years |
| Birth Place | Pontiac, Michigan, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 14 June, 2007 |
| Died Place | Casco, Maine, U.S. |
Popularity
William LeMessurier's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about William LeMessurier's physical stats are not widely documented, structural engineers, in general, come from diverse backgrounds and typically embody varying athletic abilities due to the physical demands of the profession. However, it is known that LeMessurier, like many engineers, focused more on his intellect and creative problem-solving in engineering rather than athletic pursuits.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
William LeMessurier was married to Helen LeMessurier, and together they raised a family. Although specific details about his dating life before or after marriage are not publicly documented, family life played a significant role in his personal journey. The LeMessuriers were known for their close-knit relationship, and William often credits the support of his family in overcoming challenges throughout his career.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 2007, William LeMessurier had an estimated net worth of around $5 million. His earnings were derived mostly from his engineering projects, consultancy, and contributions to high-profile structures. Although information on his annual salary isn’t explicitly available, his successful career in structural engineering and teaching likely provided him with a comfortable lifestyle.
Career, Business, and Investments
William LeMessurier had a prolific career as a structural engineer. His work on the Citicorp Center is perhaps his most famous project, where he applied his innovative thinking to ensure the building's safety amid fierce winds and possible natural disasters. He also founded LeMessurier Consultants, a firm dedicated to providing engineering solutions for various architectural challenges. In addition to his engineering pursuits, LeMessurier was involved in academia as an educator, mentoring the next generation of engineers and imparting his knowledge on structural design.
Born in Pontiac, Michigan, Bill was the youngest of four children of Bertha (Sherman) and William James LeMessurier Sr., owners of a dry cleaning business. After finishing high school, he left Michigan to major in Mathematics at Harvard College. He graduated with an AB in Mathematics in 1947, then went to Harvard Graduate School of Design.
He later transferred to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned his Master's Degree in building engineering and construction in 1953.
Social Network
William LeMessurier was known to connect with fellow engineers, architects, and educators throughout his career. While he did not engage with social media due to the era he lived in, his legacy continues to inspire through various platforms today. Many professionals in the field still reference his work and principles in contemporary discussions on engineering and architecture.
LeMessurier is perhaps best known for his role during the Citicorp Center engineering crisis, when he secretly reassessed his calculations on the Citicorp headquarters tower in New York City after the building had been finished in 1977.
In June 1978, Princeton University engineering student Diane Hartley contacted LeMessurier's office after she identified winds that could topple the building under certain circumstances. Later, another young student, Lee deCarolis, prompted LeMessurier to redo his analysis.
He discovered that the contractor had replaced the required welded joints with lower-cost, and potentially weaker bolted joints. This weakness could contribute to the building collapsing in "... quartering" winds.
This realization triggered a hurried, clandestine retrofit, which was described in a 1995 article in The New Yorker titled "The Fifty-Nine-Story Crisis". The case is now an ethical case-study in architectural degree programs.
Education
William LeMessurier earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1949, followed by a Master’s degree from the same institution. His time at MIT built the foundation for his career, where he developed skills in structural dynamics and design principles that he would apply throughout his professional life.
Conclusion
William LeMessurier’s contributions to the field of structural engineering remain influential today. His innovative designs and commitment to safety have left an indelible mark on the world of architecture. As we reflect on his life's work in 2025, his legacy continues to serve as an inspiration to aspiring engineers and architects worldwide.
