| 1859 |
Born in New York City on April 15 |
| 1879 |
Graduated from Columbia College |
| 1882 |
Earned advanced degree in civil engineering from Columbia
University's School of Mines |
| 1885 |
Began private practice as a consulting engineer |
| 1891 |
Chosen as deputy chief engineer of the Steinway Commission,
which was the forerunner of the Rapid Transit Commission |
| 1894 |
At age 35, Parsons is appointed Chief Engineer of the Rapid
Transit Commission. |
| 1898 |
During the Spanish-American War, Parsons served as chief of
engineers, with a rank of Brigadier-General in the National
Guard of New York |
| 1899 |
While conducting a survey for railroads in China, Parsons
received a cable announcing approval of the Rapid Transit Commission's
subway plan. He was overjoyed and sailed home immediately! |
| 1900-1904 |
Directed the construction of New York's IRT |
| 1904 |
Became a member of the Isthmian Canal Commission |
| 1905 |
Appointed a member of the Panama Canal Board |
| 1905-1914 |
Served as Chief Engineer for the Cape Cod Canal |
| 1915 |
Served as chairman of the Chicago Transit Commission |
| 1917-1919 |
Served with the 11th Regiment of Engineers during the war
in Europe, rising from major to colonel. After the war, Parsons
was commissioned a Brigadier-General in the Reserve |
| 1911 |
Became a trustee of the New York Public Library |
| 1932 |
William Barclay Parsons died in New York City on May 9. |
| 1934 |
Parson's wife and children presented the New York Public Library
with his collection of books and manuscripts, which contained
works on transportation engineering, now known as the "Parsons
Collection." |
