George and Robert Stephenson: A Passion for Success

George and Robert Stephenson were an extraordinary joint career, from poverty to immense wealth, from humble beginnings to international celebrity. George Stephenson was a man of huge rages and jealousies, while Robert was driven by the need to be the super-successful son his father wanted. David Ross's biography sheds new light on this remarkable father and son, revealing them as more interesting and sympathetic figures than the conventional picture of the 'eminent engineer.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 27 November 2018
Publisher: The History Press Ltd

From humble beginnings to international celebrity, George and Robert Stephenson's joint career was an extraordinary journey. Together, they overshadowed all other engineers, except perhaps Robert's friend Isambard Kingdom Brunel, for one vital reason: they were winners. It was not enough for them to follow the progress made by others. They had to be the best. George Stephenson was a colossal figure, brimming with confidence, ability, energy, and ambition. He was also a man plagued by huge rages and jealousies, driven to create his own legend. Raised by his father from infancy, Robert was a different person. He struggled with self-doubt and morbid depression, constantly striving to be the super-successful son his father wanted. His career and reputation teetered on the edge of disaster more than once. However, his flaws make him a far more interesting and sympathetic figure than the conventional portrayal of the 'eminent engineer.'

David Ross's biography of George and Robert Stephenson provides a wealth of new insights into this remarkable father and son. Authoritative and filled with numerous discoveries, it is a highly readable account of how these two men set the modern industrial world in motion.

George Stephenson was born in Wylam, Northumberland, in 1781. His father, Robert Stephenson, was a blacksmith who had moved to the area to work in the coal mines. George's early life was marked by poverty and hardship, but he showed a keen interest in engineering and mechanics from a young age. He was apprenticed to a local engineer at the age of 14 and quickly gained a reputation for his skill and dedication.

Robert Stephenson's career took off in the late 18th century when he designed and built the first steam locomotive, the "Rocket." The locomotive was a huge success and revolutionized transportation. It was faster, more efficient, and more reliable than any other form of transportation at the time. Robert's success inspired him to continue developing new steam-powered machines, and he soon became one of the most influential engineers of his time.

George Stephenson's career began to take off in the early 19th century when he designed and built the "Stephenson's Rocket." The locomotive was even more successful than the "Rocket," and it quickly became the standard for steam locomotives. George's designs were known for their innovative features, such as the use of high-pressure steam and the adoption of the double-acting piston.

George Stephenson's confidence, ability, energy, and ambition were evident in all of his designs. He was a man who was never satisfied with the status quo, always striving to be the best. He was also a man who was plagued by huge rages and jealousies, driven to create his own legend. He was determined to be the first person to build a steam locomotive that could travel at a speed of 100 miles per hour, and he spent years working on this project.

Despite his many successes, George Stephenson's career was not without its challenges. He was a man who was often overshadowed by his father, Robert, and he struggled with self-doubt and morbid depression. He was also a man who was plagued by huge rages and jealousies, driven to create his own legend. He was determined to be the first person to build a steam locomotive that could travel at a speed of 100 miles per hour, and he spent years working on this project.

In conclusion, George and Robert Stephenson's joint career was an extraordinary journey from poverty to immense wealth, from humble beginnings to international celebrity. Together, they overshadowed all other engineers, except perhaps Robert's friend Isambard Kingdom Brunel, for one vital reason: they were winners. George Stephenson was a colossal figure, brimming with confidence, ability, energy, and ambition. He was also a man plagued by huge rages and jealousies, driven to create his own legend. Robert Stephenson was a different person, driven by the need to be the super-successful son his father wanted. He struggled with self-doubt and morbid depression, but his flaws make him a far more interesting and sympathetic figure than the conventional portrayal of the 'eminent engineer.' David Ross's biography of George and Robert Stephenson sheds much new light on this remarkable father and son, providing an authoritative and highly readable account of how these two men set the modern industrial world in motion.

Weight: 532g
Dimension: 237 x 168 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780750988926
Edition number: 2 New edition