German Architect. Also known as Johann Carl Ludwig Engel, he is noted for his 19th century neoclassical architecture that transformed the look of the city of Helsinki, Finland from 1816 to 1840.  His early education came as a surveyor at the Berlin Bauakademie, graduating as an architect in 1804.  He first worked for the Prussian board of building where his designs included St. Mary’s Church and the town hall in Neuruppin and the town hall in Zittau.  Engel became municipal architect in Tallinn, Estonia in 1809 followed by work in Turku, Finland designing factories and the Turku Observatory.  In 1816, Engel was appointed architect of the reconstruction committee for the city of Helsinki.  His work primarily focused on the design of public buildings including Senate Square, the Katajanokka barracks, Government Palace, National Library, Vartiovuori Observatory, the main building of Helsinki University as well as its Library and Observatory where he incorporated many European architectural traditions including the use of classic Greek and Corinthian columns.  In 1824, he was named director of public construction for Finland where his work encompassed designs for provincial administration buildings, town halls for municipalities, school premises, hospitals, prisons, customs facilities, lighthouse and pilot stations, and town plans.  Engel’s work is also found in the designs of numerous churches, most notably: Helsinki Cathedral, St. John’s Church in Hamina, Lapua Cathedral and Oulu Cathedral. (bio by: Samuel Taylor Geer)  Family links:  Spouse:  Charlotte Sophie Barth Engel (1782 – 1831)* *Calculated relationship