George Robert Stephenson

Civil engineer, Project participant

1819 – 1905

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Who was George Robert Stephenson?

George Robert Stephenson was a British civil engineer.

Stephenson was born to Robert Stephenson Senior in Newcastle upon Tyne. He was born into a great family of civil engineers, his father was engineer of Pendleton Colliery and Nantlle Railway, his elder brother George Stephenson was a prolific railway engineer as were his uncle George Stephenson and cousin Robert Stephenson. He was educated at King William's College, Isle of Man. It was with Robert that he collaborated most, working together on the South Eastern Railway. Upon Robert's death in 1859 he took over his locomotive works and several collieries.

In the 1860s, Stephenson travelled to New Zealand to supervise the survey and arrangements for the construction of a railway from Christchurch, through Mount Pleasant to Lyttelton Harbour. The Lyttelton rail tunnel is still in use today as the country’s oldest operational rail tunnel. Stephenson enjoyed a long association with the country, for which he designed several other works in the mid-nineteenth century.

He is perhaps most famous for his close relationship with the Institution of Civil Engineers. He became a member in 1853 and was elected to the council in 1859.

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Born
Oct 20, 1819
Newcastle upon Tyne
Parents
Nationality
  • England
Profession
Education
  • King William's College
Lived in
  • Newcastle upon Tyne
Died
Oct 26, 1905
Cheltenham

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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