Arthur M. Wellington

Arthur Mellen Wellington (December 20, 1847 – May 17, 1895) was an American civil engineer who wrote the 1887 book The Economic Theory of the Location of Railways. The saying that An engineer can do for a dollar what any fool can do for two is attributed to him. He was involved in the design and construction of new railways in Mexico. He was chief engineer of the Toledo and Canada Southern Railroad. He was the editor of The Engineering News.

He was born on December 25, 1847 in Waltham, Massachusetts to Oliver Hastings Wellington and Charlotte Augusta Kent. He moved to Manhattan, New York City and worked on the design of Prospect Park under Frederick Law Olmsted.

He was appointed as Chief Engineer of the Toledo and Canada Southern Railway in 1872. He then went to work for the Buffalo and Erie Railroad, the West Farms Railway, and the Great Western Railroad. He was made engineer in charge of the Mexican National Railway in March of 1881, and afterward he became the Assistant General Manager of the Mexican Central Railway. He returned to Manhattan, New York City and became one of the editors of The Railroad Gazette in 1884. He then became editor and part owner of The Engineering News.

In 1889 he wrote The Economic Theory of the Location of Railways.

He died on May 17, 1895 in Manhattan, New York City at age 47.

The American Society of Civil Engineers awards the Arthur M. Wellington Prize.

His book The economic theory of the location of railways was first published in 1887 by the Railroad Gazette and John Wiley New York. The subtitle was An analysis of the conditions which govern the judicious adjustment of gradients, curvature and length of line to each other, and to the character and volume of traffic. The 5th edition had the subtitle An analysis of the conditions controlling the laying out of railways to effect the most judicious expenditure of capital. He indicated the importance of the ruling gradient, and its effect on train loads and running costs. By 1906 (1914??) it was in its 6th edition and had also been printed in London.