Stephenson, George

Stephenson, George (1781-1848) railway engineer, b. Wylam, Northumberland, England.

Stephenson's father worked at a coal mine as a fireman, feeding coal into the furnace of the steam engine.

George began work as a cowherd at the age of eight. Then he got a job in a coal mine. Soon he was helping his father, and by the time he was seventeen, he was in charge of the steam engine.

He could not read or write; so he paid fourpence a week to learn at night school. Afterwards he read all he could about engines.

His skill with engines became well known and one day he was called to another coal mine. He mended the steam engine there and was given the important job of engineer.

At this time, coal mines were trying to use steam locomotives or moving steam-engines instead of horses to pull the coal wagons. Stephenson built an engine called Blucher and it was a success.

Next he was appointed engineer for the first public railway. This was the Stockton and Darlington railway which opened in 1825.

From 1826, he worked on the Liverpool-Manchester railway, which opened in 1830. A contest was held to select the kind of engine to use on this line. It was won by Stephenson's Rocket which is on show today at the Science Museum, London.

Railways began to spread all over England and Stephenson was in charge of building five other lines.

His son Robert also became a famous engineer.

See Stephenson Power: The Story of George and Robert Stephenson ~ Ken Smith