Newcastle University

Robert Stephenson 1803 – 1859

The only son of George Stephenson was born on 16th October 1803 at Willington Quay. He assisted his father in the surveying of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1821.

In 1823 he was appointed manager of the locomotive works in Newcastle established by his father and it was under Robert's direction that the famous "Rocket" was built.

He assisted his father on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway and other lines. From 1833 onwards he was, in his own right, involved in major railway work both in Great Britain and abroad.

The other field of civil engineering that Robert was famous for is bridge building. Among the bridges he built were the High Level Bridge and the Victoria Bridge over the St. Lawrence at Montreal for many years the world's longest bridge.

Material used:

1801-1850 Collection:
Clark, Edwin - The Britannia and Conway tubular bridges : with general inquires on beams and on the properties of materials used in construction.

Rare Books Collection:
Marshall, W. P. - Description of the patent locomotive steam engine of Messrs. Robert Stephenson and Co., Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Clarke General Collection:
Robert Stephenson engraving by D.J. Pound
Cutting showing the birthplace of Robert Stephenson
Letter from Robert Stephenson to the Revd. Jas Booth

Local Illustrations Collection:
West view of the High Level Bridge at Newcastle