George John Vullaimy (19 May 1817 - 12 November 1886) was an architect. Born in London, he attended Westminster School before training as an engineer and subsequently qualifying as an architect. In 1861 he was appointed Superintending Architect to the Metropolitan Board of Works. Among his designs that can be seen in London today are the pedestal and sphinxes for Cleopatra's Needle and the sturgeon lamp posts on the Thames Embankment. He retired in May 1886 due to ill health and died six months later at his home in Greenhithe near Dartford. More information on the Wikipedia page [1].