STEPHENSON, George (1781-1848). Civil engineer. Founder of railways.
Letter Signed ('Geo. Stephenson') to John Ellis, 2 pages 8vo (the signature running on to the third side), Tapton House, 10 July 1848. Expressing doubts about Mr Barlow's suitability, and recommending that Ellis employ a man with a knowledge of coal-mining to report on the important issue of coal under the railway.

'... You will have many a serious business on the coal under the railway. Perhaps there is no man would have done as I have; I might have made the Company pay for the coal, but I did not think it was necessary to do so. ...'

During the construction of the Midland Railway, several seams of coal were discovered as workmen cut the Claycross Tunnel. This event seems to have crystallised Stephenson's vision that the country could be regularly supplied with coal carried by rail. He then proceeded to expand into the lands around Claycross. Tapton House was acquired with the lease of a Chesterfield colliery; Stephenson promptly opened pits on the estate along with a lime-works near the Midland Railway's Ambergate station.

£1500 [No: 22574]