born Feb. 28, 1663, Dartmouth, Devon, Eng.
died Aug. 5, 1729, London
British engineer.
In 1712 he built his atmospheric steam engine , a precursor of James Watt 's engine. In the Newcomen engine, atmospheric pressure pushed the piston down after the condensation of steam had created a vacuum in the cylinder. Newcomen engines were used for some years in the draining of mines and in raising water to power waterwheels.