STEPHENSON, GEORGE

STEPHENSON, GEORGE
   inventor of the locomotive, born, the son of a poor colliery engineman, at Wylam, near Newcastle; was early set to work, first as a cowherd and then as a turnip-hoer, and by 15 was earning 12s. a week as fireman at Throckley Bridge Colliery, diligently the while acquiring the elements of education; married at 21, and supplemented his wage as brakesman at Killingworth Colliery by mending watches and shoes; in 1815 invented a safety-lamp for miners, which brought him a public testimonial of £1000; while at Killingworth turned his attention to the application of steam to machinery, and thus constructed his first locomotive in 1814 for the colliery tram-road; railway and locomotive construction now became the business of his life; superintended the construction of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (1821-25), the Liverpool and Manchester Railway (1826-29), over which he ran his locomotive the "Rocket" at a maximum rate of 35 m. an hour; in the outburst of railway enterprise which now ensued Stephenson's services were in requisition all over the country; became principal engineer on many of the new railways; bought the country-seat of Tapton, near Chesterfield, to which he retired for much-needed rest; a man of character, gentle and simple in his affections, strong and purposeful in his labours, who, as he himself says, "fought for the locomotive single-handed for nearly 20 years," and "put up with every rebuff, determined not to be put down" (1781-1848).

The Nuttall Encyclopaedia. . 1907.

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  • Stephenson,George — Ste·phen·son (stēʹvən sən), George. 1781 1848. British railway pioneer who built a practical steam locomotive (1814) and the first passenger railway (1825). His son Robert (1803 1859) built railroads, locomotives, and bridges. * * * …   Universalium

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  • George Stephenson (disambiguation) — George Stephenson (1781 ndash;1848) was an English engineer, known as the Father of Railways .George Stephenson may also refer to:*George Stephenson (manager) (born 1900), former professional football manager at Huddersfield Town *George… …   Wikipedia

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