Robert Stephenson FRS, MP (1803-1859) Newcastle upon Tyne & 3 Robert Stephenson & Co. 5 The North of England Institute of 8 Dean Street Arch Location: Forth Street & South Street Mining and Mechanical Engineers Location: Dean Street Newcastle upon Tyne Background His invention of the box girder bridge as a continuous Gateshead Location: Neville Hall, Westgate Road Newcastle upon Tyne beam to span the Menai Straits 1845-50 resulted in the Newcastle upon Tyne Robert Stephenson was born on Founded in 1823, this This magnifi cent semi-elliptical masonry arch fl anked by Britannia Bridge, a structure of outstanding engineering This leafl et and the places you can visit will give an 16 October 1803 at Willington near venue was previously three small arches, forms part of a spectacular viaduct and architectural merit. Completed in 1848, his box insight into the background of Robert Stephenson’s As an apprentice mining Newcastle. He was largely brought up by known as Forth Street system and the East Coast Main Line. The plans were girder bridge at Conwy, North Wales, is still in existence. upbringing, education, early career and creation of engineer under Nicholas his father George, known as the ‘father of Works. It was at this submitted by Robert Stephenson for the Newcastle & impressive engineering structures which remain in Wood and stating a works that the defi nitive the railways’, as his mother died when he was only two. Whilst Robert had to establish his offi ce in London and preference for mechanical Berwick Railway Bill to gain Parliamentary Committee daily use as part of life in the North East. form of the steam travel far afi eld in pursuit of his career, he retained an engineering, Robert was approval in 1845. The original arch was later widened locomotive was created. Career affi nity to Newcastle referring to it as ‘his native town’. elected President of the in 1894. 1 5 Greenfi eld Place Robert Stephenson Institution of Mechanical Robert began assisting his father’s engineering Engineering monuments to his prowess in the North designed and directed Engineers 1849-53 and activities, both in locomotives and railway construction, East remain for all to see. Location: South of A168 Westgate Road 9 High Level Bridge the construction of Rocket 1829 and many other famous Vice-President of the Mining Institute 1853-9. In his will, at Killingworth and Hetton. He then moved on to co- Newcastle upon Tyne locomotives such as Planet 1830 and Patentee 1833. he left generous bequests to both the Mining Institute Location: Over the River Tyne founding the world’s fi rst purpose built locomotive factory Civil Engineer and the Literary & Philosophical Society. Continuation of St Nicholas Street in Newcastle upon Tyne, where at the age of 19 he In 1830 Robert became a member of the Institution of Following his marriage to Fanny Boiler/Plate shop and offi ces 1848, form part of a [B1307] Newcastle upon Tyne was made managing partner. In this factory Robert’s Civil Engineers. He served as President, 1856-1858, Sanderson in June 1829, Robert vast locomotive complex. These signifi cant historical original designs established the basis of all future steam following an extraordinary career: his contribution to the and his wife occupied this house buildings were saved from imminent demolition in 1987 6 Literary and Philosophical Society locomotive development on both sides of the Atlantic. world is as meaningful now as it was in his lifetime. in Newcastle spending several and authentically restored by the Robert Stephenson Location: 23 Westgate Road happy domestic years together. Trust. His reputation as a civil engineer was made as Engineer- Adjacent to Neville Hall (above) Robert died at his home at 34 Gloucester Square, They moved to Haverstock Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne in-Chief of the London & Birmingham Railway 1833-8 London on 12 October 1859. He was one of the London in 1833. Fanny died of where he overcame the most complex problems in this 4 Stephenson Monument greatest engineers, recognised as such by a grateful cancer in 1842. They had no Robert made use of the facilities at outstanding engineering feat, which included many British nation who honoured him by burial in the centre family. Location: Westgate Road/Neville Street innovative bridges. the Lit & Phil Society after school, nave of Westminster Abbey. 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 Regarded as one of the fi nest pieces of architectural be a member until his death, he was ironwork in the world, this structure consists of a series 7 Location: Neville Street 1849 by John Graham Lough elected President 1855-59. Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne in order to promote Newcastle of tied arches. Designed by Robert Stephenson, it as a leading industrial centre. was the fi rst bridge to carry both road and rail traffi c. upon Tyne Forming part of the Newcastle to Berwick railway Not until April 1859 was the 7 Alderman Fenwick’s House, Ceremonially opened by Queen Victoria in 1849, the 1 planned in 1844, the Central Station is the work of actual size plaster model Formerly the Queen’s Head Hotel bridge has been sensitively restored for posterity. John Dobson, the Newcastle architect with Robert exhibited in the nearby Literary Location: 98 Pilgrim Street Stephenson being responsible for the engineering work. and Philosophical Society 10 Skew bridge in masonry and plate Newcastle upon Tyne 4 before being sent to London girder Its great arched roofs and spectacular combination of to be cast into bronze. George Stephenson is on the This prestigious merchant’s 8 curves is considered pedestal. The corner projections of the monument hold house became a thriving Location: Half Moon Lane 5/6 by some to be the four fi gures representing spheres of Stephenson’s coaching inn during the late Gateshead fi nest 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 Oblique span bridge of a former single box girder with 2 desirable hotel, the Queen’s masonry abutments constructed at Robert Stephenson was brought into use the model for two fi gures, one holding the miners lamp Head. Robert Stephenson 3 9 in 1850 with Robert and the other with an outside cylinder locomotive. The & Co in 1848. The bridge was originally part of the must rank as one of its most Newcastle and Berwick Railway, of which Robert Stephenson, guest of other two fi gures represent a blacksmith and a plate- famous guests during his honour at a dinner on layer. The monument was inaugurated at an elaborate Stephenson was appointed Engineer-in-Chief in 1845. frequent visits to Newcastle. The construction of the works throughout was directed the main platform. ceremony on 3 October 1862. External viewing only. 10 by his assistant engineer Thomas Harrison. Robert Stephenson Trail 1 Royal Border Bridge 3 Dial Cottage ... continued 6 Hownes Gill Viaduct Robert Stephenson Location: Over the River Tweed Robert was initially sent to the village school at nearby Location: Off the A692 between Castleside Northumbria Longbenton and then and Consett One of Tyneside’s Most Famous Sons Opened by Queen Victoria in 1850, this majestic 1815-19 to Dr Bruce’s This leafl et shows places you can visit to gain an masonry viaduct of 28 arches over the Tweed Academy in Percy Street, Part of the Waskerley Way railway On the death of Robert Stephenson, the President of insight into the background and works of Robert completed the rail connection between London and Newcastle. Encouraged walk, this elegant structure was the the Institution of Civil Engineers, Joseph Locke stated: Stephenson. The North East has more than 80 Edinburgh. The viaduct was designed by Robert by his father, Robert work of Thomas Bouch, the designer museums and many, including the Stephenson Stephenson, with George Barclay Bruce as his resident constructed the sun-dial of the infamous fi rst Tay Bridge. “Robert Stephenson achieved some of the greatest Museum North Shields, Head of Steam: Darlington engineer. The painting below depicts the Royal Border placed over the cottage Robert Stephenson, as consultant, works of art which have been witnessed in our day and Railway Museum, Locomotion:The National Railway Bridge and was commissioned by ICE North East. door. The house is modifi ed Bouch’s design to provide an eminence in the scientifi c world rarely reached by Robert Stephenson Museum at Shildon and Beamish Open Air Museum, privately owned. adequate foundations and stronger any practical professional man.” Engineer display Stephenson related exhibits. piers to this impressive viaduct. 8 November 1859, Vol. 19, Proc. ICE 1803-1859 4 St Bartholomew’s Parish Church 1 7 Victoria Viaduct Further reading Location: Station Road, Forest Hall Newcastle, NE12 9NQ Location: To the east of Fatfi eld on the A182 ▪ Robert Stephenson - The Eminent Engineer View from James Steel Park. Car 2 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 2 East Coast Main Line Viaducts 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 - Location: River Aln 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 3 In addition to the rail bridges crossing the Tyne and 24 March 1855, he wrote to the vicar Dr John Besley much to Walker’s annoyance. Thomas 4 5 Tweed, 4 major masonry arch bridges were constructed it is the only church which I can associate my early With thanks to: to the designs of Robert Stephenson over rivers in boyhood, that is from 1804 until 1822. Harrison was the engineer. Northumbria to complete the Newcastle and Berwick Railway opened in 1849. The crossing at River Aln is a 5 Willington Quay 8 Sunderland Bridge over the Wear 8 representative example of this type of structure. Location: East of Wallsend on the River Tyne Location: Bridge Street, Sunderland www.robertstephensontrust.com 7 3 Dial Cottage beside Pedestrian Tunnel entrance Sunderland’s fi rst bridge was Further Information in cast & wrought iron to a 6 Location: 108 Great Lime Road, In 1803 George and design by Thomas Paine 1791 West Moor, Killingworth Fanny Stephenson moved For more information on this leafl et, the annual Robert and built by Roland Burdon to a cottage in Willington Stephenson Awards or any civil engineering enquiries, M.P. in 1796. Whilst working Late in 1804 the Stephenson family moved from Quay where he was please contact the Institution of Civil Engineers North on the Hetton Railway 1821-2, Willington Quay to Killingworth where George, the employed as a brakesman East Region: the iconic bridge must have father, was employed as a brakesman at the West on a fi xed engine. Robert, made a lasting impression on Robert Stephenson. Moor pit. Having established a consultancy to repair their only son, was born t: +44 (0)191 261 1850 Following damage to the South abutment in 1853 as the stationary engines, George enjoyed the salaried there on 16th October. e: [email protected] result of nearby blasting, the reconstruction of Paine’s position of enginewright from 1812, allowing him to The site is marked with an w: ice.org.uk bridge in 1858-59 was one of Robert Stephenson’s fi nal ensure that his son had a good education. interpretation board however the cottage is no longer in existence. projects. As the original structure no longer remains a blue plaque has been erected to denote the site. Northumbria Trail Sites and Locations to Visit