Hunter Davies: George Stephenson. The remarkable life os the founder of the railways

One hundred and fifty years ago, on 15 September 1830, the world's first passenger railway – the Liverpool to Manchester – was opened, an event which was to change the face of civilization. It was a gigantic venture in every way, the greatest feat of engineering which had ever been attempted. George Stephenson was the man responsible. Yet he had never been to school. Born in a mining village, he started work aged eight, and by the time he was ten was working full-time in the pit. He showed a natural gift for mending and inventing machines and slowly rose to become the colliery's resident engineer. With his son Robert he created the Rocket, still the world's best-known railway locomotive, and built the Stockton and Darlington railway in 1825. Considering his outstanding achievements, little has so far been written about George Stephenson. Hunter Davies has uncovered much original material to create a memorable portrait of a remarkable man.

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