George Stephenson

The Remarkable Life of the Founder of the Railways

By: HUNTER DAVIES

Write A Review

Paperback | 28 August 2025

At a Glance

Format
Paperback

Dimensions(cm)
19.8 x 12.9 x 3.0

Paperback

$40.75

or 4 interest-free payments of $10.19 with

Ships in 10 to 15 business days

George Stephenson is the ultimate selfmade man: born in the pit village of Wylam, near Newcastle, and skipping any education to start work, his inventions would change the very nature of the world.

From the moment he began work in the pit at the tender age of ten, he showed a natural talent for mending and inventing machines, slowly rising to become the collieryâs resident engineer. However, he struggled to break through the class prejudices of the time; indeed, Sir Humphrey Davy, later President of the Royal Society, considered Stephenson (then an unknown pitman) âa thief and not a clever thiefâ. This early battle was only one of many that Stephenson waged against the establishment.

Even so, Stephenson went on to build the worldâs first public railways, the Stockton and Darlington in 1825 and the Liverpoolâ"Manchester in 1830. Much is known of these achievements and of his famous creation, Rocket, yet little is known of the man himself. In George Stephenson a colourful portrait is painted of the self-taught and often testy Geordie, whose Victorian invention is now the backbone of every nation on the planet.

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.