Born: January 5, 1818, Rozyczno, Wolyn or, possibly, in Seweryny, Podole(Volhynia and Podolia provinces in Russian partition of Poland).
Died: March 3, 1899, Lima, Peru
Early days. Ernest Malinowski was born probably in Rozyczno. Following the failure of the November 1831 uprising against the Russians, he left Russia occupied Poland with his father and the elder brother, Rudolf, for France.
Higher education.He continued his education in Paris at the Ecole Polytechnique and the famous Ecole des Ponts et Chaussees (School of Bridges and Roads)..
Work in France. Emigration to Peru.After graduation he worked for the French Government on the construction of highways and bridges. In 1852, the government of Peru was recruiting in France and was presenting very lucrative offers to spur development of Peru’s infrastructure. Malinowski, realizing there was no hope for return to independent Poland, decided to move to South America. He designed the railroads Pisco – Ica, Chimbote – Huaraz, Pacasmayo – Cajamaca, Chicklayo – Lambayeque.
His masterwork.
In 1859 he submitted to the government of Peru a very courageous plan for building a railroad line connecting the Pacific coast (seaport Callao) with the abundant resources of the country’s interior (mine center at La Oroya). The central railway of Peru is considered a marvel of engineering, it’s the world’s highest railway, and it is wonderfully designed. This 218 km long railway runs mostly at the height above 2000m (6,500 feet). It climbs from sea level at Callao to an elevation of 15,806 feet (Ticlio pass) by means of many zigzags and double zigzags. There are approximately 100 tunnels (of almost 4 miles total length)and bridges, some of which are major engineering feats (one of the bridges is 230 feet high). It is difficult to visualize how this task could have been accomplished with relatively primitive construction equipment, high altitudes, and mountainous terrain as obstacles.
Becoming Peru's national hero.Malinowski was also well known for his contribution to building one of the beautiful cities of Peru, Arequipe. He was also very resourceful in defending the harbor Callao in the face of Spanish invasion in 1866. Because of this he was called Peru’s national hero. He was also professor at the University of Lima. His publication, “La moneda en el Peru” (Peruvian Money”), his founding of the Society of Fine Arts and of the Geographical Society of Lima (Sociedad Geografica de Lima) prove his multifaceted talents. He died March 3,1898, in Lima, Peru.
In 1999 a monument to his honor was erected at the Ticlio pass.
This short biography is based on an article by Jan S. Plachta, P. E. that appeared in Engineers on Stamps, January 2000. It was copied with the permission given by Michael J. Vinarcik, P. E.
See:
Jan Plachta
Other sources:
Versus-online
Serwis kolejowy
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