George Stephenson
A British civil engineer and mechanical engineer who built the first public inter-city railway line in the world to use steam locomotives.
Most quoted
"I have been a good deal engaged in the last few days in making some experiments on the friction of waggons on railways, and I find that the resistance is much less than I had imagined."
— from Letter to Lord Ravensworth, 1813
"I have been accused of being a madman for attempting to run a locomotive at such a speed, but I am confident that the day will come when people will travel at fifty miles an hour."
— from Biographical accounts
"I have been much engaged in the last few days in making some experiments on the friction of waggons on railways, and I find that the resistance is much less than I had imagined."
— from Letter to Lord Ravensworth, 1813
All quotes by George Stephenson (251)
I have been a working man myself, and I know the value of a good education.
The locomotive is a machine that will do more for the world than all the kings and queens put together.
The steam engine is the greatest invention of all time.
I have been a working man myself, and I know what it is to be poor.
The railway is the greatest blessing that ever came to this country.
I have fought my way up from the bottom, and I know what it is to struggle.
The world is moving on, and we must move with it.
I have never been afraid of hard work.
The greatest pleasure I know is to do a good piece of work.
I have always tried to do my best, and that is all any man can do.
The railway will unite the nations of the world.
I have seen many changes in my time, but none so great as the railway.
The railway is a great civilizer.
I have always believed in the power of invention.
The steam engine is a wonderful thing.
I have always been a man of action.
The railway will bring prosperity to all.
I have always been a practical man.
The railway is a testament to human ingenuity.
I have always been a man of the people.
Contemporaries of George Stephenson
Other Engineerings born within 50 years of George Stephenson (1781–1848).