A Tale of Two Georges: The Development of the Railways in York

During the mid 1800s the railways developed exponentially in Britain and nowhere more so than York. Two men were hugely influential in this arena and are honoured in the city today, one by blue plaques and the second by a statue close to the railway station. United by their vision and capacity for hard work they were divided by their personalities and political allegiance. Yorkshire Blue Badge Tourist Guide, Rosemary Barnes takes a look at the role they played and discovers why George Hudson the “Railway King” has no statue whereas his rival George Leeman stands proud in the city centre.

The plaque commemorating George Hudson’s original drapery shop is located at 1 College Street, York.

George Hudson

Hudson came from modest beginnings but soon established himself as a canny businessman, starting out as a draper’s apprentice in a York city firm. After marrying the daughter of the boss he was made a partner in the company which went on to become one of the leading businesses in the city. A further stroke of fortune was his inheritance from his great-uncle who lived in one of the Georgian townhouses in York; George moved in following this gentleman’s decease. His new-found wealth opened up many opportunities for social advancement and for involvement in the governance of the city. He became a Conservative MP and was elected Mayor of York three times during the 1840s.

Hudson soon realised the opportunities available in the burgeoning world of railway building and by 1844 controlled more than 1,000 miles of railway track. He specialised in business start-ups, making himself Chairman of each company he set up. By linking one of his railways, the York and North Midland to existing tracks, he was able to establish a through route from York to London and cut the journey time to 10 hours, a third of the time taken by stagecoach. In an age where railway companies were completely privatised he was able to profit from his investments and buy a house in Knightsbridge as well as stately homes in his native Yorkshire. He mixed with the social elite of the age.

Hudson proposed building Lendal Bridge, an initiative opposed by Leeman at the time but which became a vital part of the city’s transport infrastructure. He also spent lavishly on banquets and entertainments for the people of York which increased his popularity. His downfall came about by selling shares and land which he did not own and inevitably the speculation bubble burst leading to bankruptcy and a short prison sentence. His valiant wife tried to arrange for the debts to be paid off by instalments but many investors lost their life savings. He died in London and was buried near his birthplace in Howden, East Yorkshire.

Emerging from York railway station and walking towards the city, you can’t ignore the impressive statue of George Leeman 

George Leeman

Meanwhile George Leeman was also prospering and making his mark on the town. A greengrocer’s son he trained to become a lawyer and started up a very successful legal practice. He took on various civil functions becoming Deputy Lieutenant for the North Riding of Yorkshire and was a member of prominent local organisations in addition to Clerk of the Peace for the East Riding.

He was also active in politics becoming Liberal MP for York and was elected Lord Mayor of York on three occasions between 1853 and 1870 having been an Alderman for 28 years. Leeman made his own positive contribution to the city, overseeing the restoration of part of the city walls and persuading the Corporation to take over the management of the River Foss which due to its contaminated nature was a potential health hazard when it flooded its banks.

Leeman was (possibly reluctantly) involved in investigating Hudson’s business dealings and helped to reveal the extent of malpractice in the selling of shares in railway companies set up by Hudson, some of which existed on paper only.

Following Hudson’s fall from grace Leeman became chairman of the York, Newcastle and Berwick Railway which merged with the York and North Midland Railway to form North Eastern Railways. This company had its HQ in York and George became its chairman. He also held the position of chairman of The Railway Association of Great Britain and presided over the 50-years celebration of the railways held in 1875 in Darlington (the precursor of Railway 200)

Leeman co-owned an iron-ore mining company and when it collapsed in 1877 his health was affected as well as his financial status. He moved to Scarborough where he died in 1882 and is buried in York Cemetery together with his first wife and mother. Three years later a statue was erected by public subscription and Station Road was fittingly renamed Leeman Road.

 

Rise and Fall and Rise?

But in recent years George Hudson’s reputation has been somewhat rehabilitated and he does have a street in York named after him as well as a fine portrait in Mansion House showing him at the height of his career. It was recognised that business regulation of the time was much less stringent than it is today and that Hudson was only the best known of men engaging in this kind of share dealing. A new development of offices and residential accommodation opposite the railway station has been named the George Hudson Quarter. This development is on the very site of the railway station built by Hudson in the 1840s for the railway companies he founded.

Both men in their different ways made a great contribution to their home city as well as impacting the development of the railway industry and making York the important railway hub it is today. It is right that they should share the glory.

 

About the author

Rosemary Barnes is leading a walk based on the History of the Railways in York which looks at some of the places associated with Hudson and Leeman as well as railway hotels and infrastructure. Her walk is featured on the Railway200 website here or you can contact her direct here