WRIGHT, Benjamin, engineer, born in Wethersfield, Connecticut, 10 October, 1770; died in New York city, 24 August, 1842. He studied mathematics by himself, and in 1786 went to Plymouth, Connecticut, where he studied surveying with his uncle. In 1788 he settled in Fort Stanwix (now Rome), New York, where he was actively employed in laying out the property of the new settlers. Having acquired in this manner an accurate knowledge of civil engineering, he was called on to make a map and profile of Wood creek for the Western inland lock navigation company. Subsequently he made a survey of Mohawk river from Fort Stanwix to Schenectady, and proposed a plan for its improvement. During 1811-'12 he made a survey for the canal commissioners, making a complete report of his work. He was repeatedly elected to the legislature, and during the war with Great Britain was appointed county judge. In 1816 he was appointed engineer of the middle section of the Erie canal, and to him, with James Geddes, is chiefly due the credit of the successful completion of the enterprise. Mr. Wright was chief engineer of the Delaware canal, the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, the Harlem railroad, and the St. Lawrence ship canal. In 1834 he was street commissioner of New York city, and in 1834-'6 he conducted a survey for the route of the New York and Erie railroad. Subsequently he was engaged in Virginia.