rEviews Railwayman and MP Adrian Vaughan, Samuel Morton Peto: A Victorian Entrepreneur (Ian Allan Publishing, 2009) Reviewed by Robert Ingham amuel Morton Peto The book’s readability is (1809–89) was Liberal MP derived from the author’s strong Sfor Norwich from 1847 to views on Peto’s life and character. 1854, for Finsbury from 1859 to Peto became a Baptist when he 1865, and for Bristol from 1865 married his second wife and was a to 1868. As a political figure he renowned benefactor of noncon- made little impact, but as a con- formist churches and the Church tractor for railways and public of England. Vaughan, clearly not works he left a lasting impression a religious man, regards Peto as a on the UK. His firm built numer- hypocrite, who used the church ous London landmarks, including as a tool for self-promotion and Nelson’s Column and the Reform to develop a strong work ethic Club, and was substantially in his labourers. Similarly, Peto’s involved with the building of the political career is described by Palace of Westminster. Peto also Vaughan as an offshoot of his carried out a number of major business life, providing him with railway projects at home and contacts, status and influence overseas, including developing over the legislation then neces- Victoria Station in London. sary to build railways. He was Peto was largely self-made. an infrequent attender of parlia- His father was a farmer, and at ment; broke a promise to his although the digitisation of Han- fourteen Peto was apprenticed electorate in Norwich to scale sard and the forthcoming digitisa- to his uncle, a building contrac- back his business interests once tion of the Mirror of Parliament tor, learning the various building he was elected; unseated a good and the Victorian division lists trades. When his uncle died, in local MP in Finsbury; and had no should help place MPs like Peto 1830, Peto and a cousin inher- local connections with Finsbury in proper context. By combin- ited the business. Concentrat- or Bristol. Vaughan also finds ing religious tolerance, commit- ing at first on major building little to admire in Peto’s business ment to free trade, and concern projects, Peto took advantage of methods, which were sometimes for working men, Peto would the railway boom of the 1840s to unlawful, although he was prob- seem to be representative of the expand his business. By the 1860s, ably typical of his age. party to which he belonged, but however, Peto had overextended Vaughan argues that Peto was whether he helped shape that himself and he was declared a Liberal because he stood to ben- party or was shaped by it is an bankrupt. His political career was efit financially from free trade. unaswered question. over and his attempts to return to There is, no doubt, some truth business achieved little. He died in this, but Peto was a radical, Robert Ingham is the Biographies in 1889. speaking out for working men Editor of the Journal of Liberal Adrian Vaughan’s entertain- in parliament and regarded as a History. ing biography of Peto is a short philanthropic employer. His close (190 pages) and lively read, which connection with working men makes extensive use of privately during his apprenticeship seems held family letters. Inevitably, to have coloured his political out- its focus is on Peto’s business look: he was no Gradgrind. career, charting the dizzying Assessing Peto’s place in the ascent and sudden collapse of his mid-Victorian Liberal Party is Liberal Democrat History Group fortunes. The clarity of the narra- beyond the scope of Vaughan’s tive is sometimes lost as Vaughan book. Was he typical of many news describes in detail the geographic MPs, in parliament to pursue a Join our email mailing list for news of History Group and commercial arrangements of business career not to contribute meetings and publications – the fastest and earliest way to Peto’s various railway projects. to the government of the nation? find out what we’re doing. The book would have benefited Did he consistently vote in the To join the list, send a blank email to from a glossary so that any reader same way as his leaders? Did he [email protected]. unfamiliar with the minutiae of only vote whenever he was in mid-Victorian railway companies town or could he be summoned Also see us on the web at: could distinguish the OWWR by the Chief Whip to the most • www.liberalhistory.org.uk from the W&FR. Maps would important divisions? These are • www.facebook.com/LibDemHistoryGroup also be of assistance. largely unanswered questions, • act.libdems.org.uk/group/libdemhistory Journal of Liberal History 68 Autumn 2010 47 .