The Dignatory
Robert Stephenson - The Dignatory
Robert Stephenson was a highly regarded member of Victorian society. His engineering achievements led him to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Society and to be decorated with the Legion of Honour in France. In 1856 he was elected President of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
He was elected as the MP to Whitby without any other candidates standing against him.
He received a Doctorate of Civil Law from Oxford University He also rejected a knighthood for personal reasons.
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He was also a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron and in 1851 accepted a challenge to race his yacht Titania against America, that of the American Commodore Stevens.
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(click here to read more about the Titania)
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The race marked the beginning of the. Americas Cup Yacht Race, which still continues today.
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His funeral was held in a packed Westminster Abbey, where he was honoured by being buried in the central nave. A simultaneous service was held in Newcastle attended by 1500 people, on the day, all of the shops in London and Newcastle were closed and ships flew their flags at half mast to mark the passing of such a great man, a great engineer.
To watch a video biography of Robert Stephenson, click the photo:
