Historedia
Person

George Stephenson

Events
5
Episodes
11
Years
1814–1830

Every event in Historedia whose sources name George Stephenson, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Stephenson tests his first locomotive Blücher

    1814

    Role: Engine-wright and designer

    1. 25 July 1814 · Killingworth CollieryTesting of Blücher at Killingworth

      George Stephenson tested his first locomotive, Blücher, at Killingworth Colliery on 25 July 1814, funded by colliery lessees.

  2. Humphry Davy announces the Davy safety lamp

    1815

    Role: Competitor

    1. 1815 · LondonWire-Gauze Principle

      Davy's design used wire gauze to prevent flame spread, differing from Stephenson's perforated plate design.

    2. 3 November 1815 · NewcastleNewcastle Announcement

      Davy's private letter describing safety lamp findings was made public at a Newcastle meeting on 3 November 1815.

    3. 9 November 1815 · LondonRoyal Society Presentation

      A paper describing the Davy lamp was formally presented at a Royal Society meeting in London on 9 November 1815.

  3. Stockton and Darlington Railway opens

    1825

    Role: Engineer and driver of the inaugural train

    1. September 1825 · DarlingtonTransport of Locomotion No. 1

      Locomotion No. 1 was transported by road from Newcastle to Darlington in September 1825, arriving just before the railway's official opening.

    2. 26 September 1825 · DarlingtonTrial Run

      A trial run occurred on 26 September 1825 between Shildon and Darlington, with railway directors aboard the coach Experiment.

    3. 27 September 1825 · Stockton-on-TeesInaugural Train

      On 27 September 1825, Locomotion No. 1 hauled the first train on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, driven by George Stephenson.

  4. Stephenson's Rocket wins the Rainhill Trials

    1829

    Role: Chief engineer of the L&MR

    1. 6-14 October 1829 · RainhillRainhill Trials

      The competition ran from 6 to 14 October 1829 to test locomotive efficiency for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.

    2. 6-14 October 1829 · RainhillRocket Victory

      Rocket won the trials held from 6 to 14 October 1829, proving locomotives were more efficient than stationary engines for the railway.

  5. Opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway

    1830

    Role: Designer and builder of the railway

    1. 15 September 1830 · Liverpool and Manchester Railway, between Liverpool and ManchesterOpening Ceremony

      The railway opened on 15 September 1830 with termini at Manchester, Liverpool Road, and Liverpool Crown Street, drawing government luminaries including the Prime Minister.

    2. 15 September 1830 · Liverpool and Manchester Railway, between Liverpool and ManchesterHuskisson Incident

      William Huskisson was run over and fatally injured by Robert Stephenson's locomotive Rocket at the opening of the railway.

Sources

  1. Killingworth locomotives Wikipedia, revision of 2025-02-08
  2. George Stephenson Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-01
  3. Humphry Davy Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-27
  4. Davy lamp Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-02
  5. Locomotion No. 1 Wikipedia, revision of 2026-06-21
  6. Stockton and Darlington Railway Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-28
  7. Robert Stephenson Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-01
  8. Rainhill trials Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-29
  9. Liverpool and Manchester Railway Wikipedia, revision of 2026-05-27