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Home , George Stephenson, High Level Bridge, Robert Stephenson, West Moor, Willington Quay

FRS, MP (1803-1859)

Background His invention of the box girder as a continuous beam to span the Menai Straits 1845-50 resulted in the Robert Stephenson was born on , a structure of outstanding engineering 16 October 1803 at Willington near and architectural merit. Completed in 1848, his box Newcastle. He was largely brought up by girder bridge at Conwy, North Wales, is still in existence. his father George, known as the ‘father of the railways’, as his mother died when he was only two. Whilst Robert had to establish his offi ce in London and Robert Stephenson travel far afi eld in pursuit of his career, he retained an Engineer Career affi nity to Newcastle referring to it as ‘his native town’. 1803-1859 Robert began assisting his father’s engineering Engineering monuments to his prowess in the North activities, both in and railway construction, East remain for all to see. at and Hetton. He then moved on to co- founding the world’s fi rst purpose built factory Civil Engineer in , where at the age of 19 he In 1830 Robert became a member of the Institution of was made managing partner. In this factory Robert’s Civil Engineers. He served as President, 1856-1858, original designs established the basis of all future steam following an extraordinary career: his contribution to the locomotive development on both sides of the Atlantic. world is as meaningful now as it was in his lifetime.

His reputation as a civil engineer was made as Engineer- Robert died at his home at 34 Gloucester Square, in-Chief of the London & Railway 1833-8 London on 12 October 1859. He was one of the where he overcame the most complex problems in this greatest engineers, recognised as such by a grateful outstanding engineering feat, which included many British nation who honoured him by burial in the centre innovative . nave of .

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2 3 9 Northumbria Trail Sites and Locations to Visit 10 Newcastle upon Tyne & 3 Robert Stephenson & Co. 5 The North of Institute of Location: Forth Street & South Street Mining and Mechanical Engineers Newcastle upon Tyne Location: Neville Hall, Westgate Road Newcastle upon Tyne Founded in 1823, this This leaflet and the places you can visit will give an venue was previously insight into the background of Robert Stephenson’s As an apprentice mining known as Forth Street upbringing, education, early career and creation of engineer under Nicholas Works. It was at this impressive engineering structures which remain in Wood and stating a works that the definitive daily use as part of life in the North East. preference for mechanical form of the steam engineering, Robert was locomotive was created. elected President of the 1 5 Greenfield Place Robert Stephenson Institution of Mechanical designed and directed Engineers 1849-53 and Location: South of A168 Westgate Road the construction of Rocket 1829 and many other famous Vice-President of the Mining Institute 1853-9. In his will, Newcastle upon Tyne locomotives such as Planet 1830 and Patentee 1833. he left generous bequests to both the Mining Institute and the Literary & Philosophical Society. Following his marriage to Fanny Boiler/Plate shop and offices 1848, form part of a Sanderson in June 1829, Robert vast locomotive complex. These significant historical and his wife occupied this house buildings were saved from imminent demolition in 1987 6 Literary and Philosophical Society in Newcastle spending several and authentically restored by the Robert Stephenson Location: 23 Westgate Road happy domestic years together. Trust. Adjacent to Neville Hall (above) They moved to Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne London in 1833. Fanny died of 4 Stephenson Monument cancer in 1842. They had no Robert made use of the facilities at family. Location: Westgate Road/Neville Street the Lit & Phil Society after school, The house is privately owned. Newcastle upon Tyne borrowing books on science and mechanics to further his own and 2 Central Station This Grade ll* Listed his father’s education. Continuing to Monument, was designed in be a member until his death, he was Location: Neville Street 1849 by John Graham Lough elected President 1855-59. Newcastle upon Tyne in order to promote Newcastle as a leading industrial centre. Forming part of the Newcastle to Berwick railway Not until April 1859 was the 7 Alderman Fenwick’s House, planned in 1844, the Central Station is the work of actual size plaster model Formerly the Queen’s Head Hotel , the Newcastle architect with Robert exhibited in the nearby Literary Location: 98 Pilgrim Street Stephenson being responsible for the engineering work. and Philosophical Society before being sent to London Newcastle upon Tyne Its great arched roofs and spectacular combination of to be cast into bronze. is on the This prestigious merchant’s curves is considered pedestal. The corner projections of the monument hold house became a thriving by some to be the four figures representing spheres of Stephenson’s coaching inn during the late finest station in the activity in the mining, locomotive manufacturing and 18th century and then a world. The station railway industries. Robert Stephenson is thought to be desirable hotel, the Queen’s was brought into use the model for two figures, one holding the miners lamp Head. Robert Stephenson in 1850 with Robert and the other with an outside cylinder locomotive. The must rank as one of its most Stephenson, guest of other two figures represent a blacksmith and a plate- famous guests during his honour at a dinner on layer. The monument was inaugurated at an elaborate frequent visits to Newcastle. the main platform. ceremony on 3 October 1862. External viewing only. 8 Dean Street Arch Robert Stephenson Trail 1 Location: Dean Street Location: Over the River Tweed Newcastle upon Tyne Northumbria Opened by in 1850, this majestic masonry viaduct of 28 arches over the Tweed This magnificent semi-elliptical masonry arch flanked by This leaflet shows places you can visit to gain an completed the rail connection between London and three small arches, forms part of a spectacular viaduct insight into the background and works of Robert . The viaduct was designed by Robert system and the . The plans were Stephenson. The North East has more than 80 Stephenson, with George Barclay Bruce as his resident submitted by Robert Stephenson for the Newcastle & museums and many, including the Stephenson engineer. The painting below depicts the Royal Border Berwick Railway Bill to gain Parliamentary Committee Museum , : Bridge and was commissioned by ICE North East. approval in 1845. The original arch was later widened Railway Museum, Locomotion:The National Railway in 1894. Museum at and Beamish Open Air Museum, display Stephenson related exhibits. 9 1 Location: Over the Continuation of St Nicholas Street [B1307] Newcastle upon Tyne 2

2 East Coast Main Line Viaducts Location: River Aln

3 In addition to the rail bridges crossing the Tyne and 4 5 Tweed, 4 major masonry arch bridges were constructed Regarded as one of the finest pieces of architectural to the designs of Robert Stephenson over rivers in ironwork in the world, this structure consists of a series Northumbria to complete the Newcastle and Berwick of tied arches. Designed by Robert Stephenson, it Railway opened in 1849. The crossing at River Aln is a was the first bridge to carry both road and rail traffic. 8 representative example of this type of structure. Ceremonially opened by Queen Victoria in 1849, the bridge has been sensitively restored for posterity. 7 3 Dial Cottage

10 Skew bridge in masonry and plate 6 Location: 108 Great Lime Road, girder West Moor, Killingworth Location: Half Moon Lane Late in 1804 the Stephenson family moved from Gateshead Willington Quay to Killingworth where George, the father, was employed as a brakesman at the West Oblique span bridge of a former single box girder with Moor pit. Having established a consultancy to repair masonry abutments constructed at Robert Stephenson stationary engines, George enjoyed the salaried & Co in 1848. The bridge was originally part of the position of enginewright from 1812, allowing him to Newcastle and Berwick Railway, of which Robert ensure that his son had a good education. Stephenson was appointed Engineer-in-Chief in 1845. The construction of the works throughout was directed by his assistant engineer Thomas Harrison. 3 Dial Cottage ... continued 6 Hownes Gill Viaduct Robert Stephenson Robert was initially sent to the village school at nearby Location: Off the A692 between Castleside and then and One of ’s Most Famous Sons 1815-19 to Dr Bruce’s Academy in Percy Street, Part of the Waskerley Way railway On the death of Robert Stephenson, the President of Newcastle. Encouraged walk, this elegant structure was the the Institution of Civil Engineers, stated: by his father, Robert work of Thomas Bouch, the designer constructed the sun-dial of the infamous fi rst Tay Bridge. “Robert Stephenson achieved some of the greatest placed over the cottage Robert Stephenson, as consultant, works of art which have been witnessed in our day and door. The house is modifi ed Bouch’s design to provide an eminence in the scientifi c world rarely reached by privately owned. adequate foundations and stronger any practical professional man.” piers to this impressive viaduct. 8 November 1859, Vol. 19, Proc. ICE 4 St Bartholomew’s Parish Church 7 Victoria Viaduct Further reading Location: Station Road, Newcastle, NE12 9NQ Location: To the east of Fatfi eld on the A182 ▪ Robert Stephenson - The Eminent Engineer View from James Steel Park. Car Edited by Michael R Bailey; Ashgate Publishing, Built in 1790, the church has many Stephenson park off Shepherd Way in Fatfi eld. Ltd, 2003 associations. Robert Stephenson’s sister Frances was ▪ Robert Stephenson - Railway Engineer buried in the graveyard aged 3 weeks on 4 August The design of this majestic viaduct was suggested John Addyman and Victoria Haworth; North 1805. A year later his mother Frances aged 37 was by James Walker. Acting Eastern Railway Association and Robert buried there on 16 May 1806. As a fl autist, Robert as a consultant, Robert Stephenson Trust, 2005 joined the church’s orchestra which accompanied Stephenson’s modifi cations ▪ Robert Stephenson - Engineer and Scientist - the Sunday service. During the church’s renovation, included three small arches The Making of a Prodigy he gave money for a new stained glass window. On instead of solid abutments, Victoria Haworth; Robert Stephenson Trust, 2004 24 March 1855, he wrote to the vicar Dr John Besley much to Walker’s it is the only church which I can associate my early annoyance. Thomas boyhood, that is from 1804 until 1822. Harrison was the engineer. With thanks to:

5 Willington Quay 8 Bridge over the Wear Location: East of on the River Tyne Location: Bridge Street, Sunderland www.robertstephensontrust.com beside Pedestrian entrance Sunderland’s fi rst bridge was Further Information In 1803 George and in cast & wrought iron to a design by Thomas Paine 1791 Fanny Stephenson moved For more information on this leafl et, the annual Robert and built by Roland to a cottage in Willington Stephenson Awards or any civil engineering enquiries, M.P. in 1796. Whilst working Quay where he was please contact the Institution of Civil Engineers North on the Hetton Railway 1821-2, employed as a brakesman East Region: on a fi xed engine. Robert, the iconic bridge must have made a lasting impression on Robert Stephenson. their only son, was born t: +44 (0)191 261 1850 Following damage to the South abutment in 1853 as the there on 16th October. e: [email protected] result of nearby blasting, the reconstruction of Paine’s The site is marked with an w: ice.org.uk interpretation board however the cottage is no longer in bridge in 1858-59 was one of Robert Stephenson’s fi nal existence. projects. As the original structure no longer remains a has been erected to denote the site.