Description

Background

Robert Stephenson MP, FRS (1803-1859) was the leading engineer of his day. He was renowned for his development of the main-line steam locomotive and for his innovations in bridge building. He built the railway line between London and Birmingham, which was the first trunk line in the world. He was at the centre of the ‘railway mania’ that gripped early victorian Britain, and by 1850 had been responsible for one-third of the railway network in Britain.

The Book : Robert Stephenson – The Eminent Engineer

This is the first biographical study of Robert Stephenson for over a century, and is fully illustrated in black and white and colour. Written by a team of experts in railway and engineering history, the first chapters of this book explore Stephenson’s early training and work with his father, George Stephenson. Later chapters examine Robert Stephenson’s influence and achievements in railway development, noting his advocacy of planning, rather than an unbridled free market. The book also examine his innovations in railway and bridge building, and port and water engineering. Robert Stephenson contributed to the transformation of society by opening up transport and communications; the book covers his public face and career as a respected arbitrator, MP and Commissioner for the Great Exhibition of 1851.

Authors

Michael Bailey, the editor of this book, is a museum consultant, author, lecturer and broadcaster on early railway history. In 1999 he was awarded the first Doctorate of Philosophy from the Institute of Railway Studies, York. He is a past president of the Newcomen Society and an Associate Trustee of the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. Contributors include:

  • Michael Bailey MA DPhil
  • Mike Chrimes BA MLS ALA
  • Julia Elton BA
  • Ted Ruddock MBE BA MAT MSc(Eng)
  • Denis Smith PhD MSc DIC CEng
  • James Sutherland BA FICE FIStructE
  • Robert Thomas MA MCLIP

Robert Stephenson, the eminent engineer, edited by Michael Bailey, published by Ashgate (2004)