EARLY DAYS
GEORGE HUDSON - THE RAILWAY KING
George Hudson can be regarded as the father of the railways of Northern England and the North Midlands. He was born in 1800 in the parish of Scrayingham in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
He started his working life as an Apprentice Draper and rose in stature to become a Member of Parliament and a friend of the Duke of Wellington. He quickly learned how to cultivate people of influence in order to back his many schemes. Helped by the 'Railway Mania' of the day, he soon amassed a considerable fortune.
Nowadays, he would be unable to carry out his business dealings as he did then. He fell from grace amid accusations of 'shady share dealings' bribery and corruption and ended his business life in a debtors prison. It must not be forgotten however, that due to his foresight, ambition and wealth, many of the railways of that time would never have been built.
He died in London in 1871 and is buried in the churchyard at the village of Scrayingham.
He started his working life as an Apprentice Draper and rose in stature to become a Member of Parliament and a friend of the Duke of Wellington. He quickly learned how to cultivate people of influence in order to back his many schemes. Helped by the 'Railway Mania' of the day, he soon amassed a considerable fortune.
Nowadays, he would be unable to carry out his business dealings as he did then. He fell from grace amid accusations of 'shady share dealings' bribery and corruption and ended his business life in a debtors prison. It must not be forgotten however, that due to his foresight, ambition and wealth, many of the railways of that time would never have been built.
He died in London in 1871 and is buried in the churchyard at the village of Scrayingham.