Robert Stephenson

Robert Stephenson , DCL (Hon. causa) (16 October 1803 – 12 October 1859) was an English civil engineer and designer of locomotives. The only son of George Stephenson, the "Father of Railways", he built on the achievements of his father. Robert Stephenson became an apprentice under mining engineer Nicholas Wood after completing his education in 1819. In 1821, he and his father surveyed the Bishop Auckland area to help Edward Pease build a railway that would transport coal from the area to Darlington and Stockton-on-Tees. In 1823, the Stephensons and Pease founded Robert Stephenson and Company to manufacture locomotives; the company designed such locomotives as the Lancashire Witch in 1828 and the John Bull in 1831, the latter of which became the first steam locomotive to run in New Jersey. Throughout the 1830s Robert oversaw the construction of several railways, including the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway, the Bolton & Leigh railway, the Warrington & Newton Railway and the Leicester and Swannington Railway. He drew the plans for the London and Birmingham Railway, which opened in 1838. In 1832 he was appointed surveyor for a project to build a railway between Lanehead Farmhouse and Consett in County Durham, but the railway line closed in 1840, six years after its completion. In 1839 he spent three months in France, Spain and Italy advising on railways, and after returning to England he advised Parliament and arbitrated in disputes between railway companies and contractors. He was made Knight of the Order of Leopold in 1841 for his improvements to locomotive engines. In 1845 Robert designed an iron bridge that would cross the River Dee; the Dee bridge was completed in 1846 but collapsed under a locomotive, causing the deaths of five people. Robert was accused of manslaughter during the inquest, but a verdict of accidental death was ultimately returned. He also designed the Britannia Bridge, which crosses the Menai Strait and consists of four tubes; it was opened to public traffic in 1850. The High Level Bridge, another of his works, crosses the Tyne and was opened in 1849 by Queen Victoria. She offered Robert a knighthood, but he refused. Robert, who was a member of the Conservative Party, was elected as the Member of Parliament for Whitby; he held the position until his death in 1859. Robert has been called the greatest engineer of the 19th century. Stephenson's death was widely mourned, and his funeral afforded marks of public honour. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.