Railway Giants: Seizing Opportunity Amidst Bribery and Debt

The remarkable George Hudson rose from a rural orphan to one of Britain’s most powerful men. His success in railways and politics was astounding, yet it didn’t last forever. Discover the story of the man brought down by what he spent his life building.

In the early 19th century, Great Britain experienced profound changes. It had been 45 years since inventor James Watt introduced the steam engine, revolutionizing long-established practices. The shift of people from rural areas to burgeoning industrial centers, the rise of massive factories, and the replacement of animal power with machinery were among the major impacts of Watt's invention. However, for the common people and workers, these times would be unforgiving at best.

It’s the year 1800, and we find ourselves in the village of Howsham, less than 20 km from York. In this rural setting in northeast England, George Hudson is born into a farming family, as noted by Yorkcivictrust.co.uk.

Britain's geopolitical situation fuels its industrial boom. While continental Europe endures the devastation of the Napoleonic wars, Britain remains untouched by conflict. Though Britain joins the anti-Napoleonic coalition and faces an embargo, its territory stays safe from invasion. After Napoleon’s ultimate defeat at Waterloo in 1815, Britain is free to focus on development, gaining a massive economic edge over its European competitors, resulting in both industrial growth and the rise of the British Empire.

Let’s return to young George. At just six, he suffers his first tragic blow: the death of his mother. And only two years later, he loses his father. The family farm is inherited by his older siblings, who take over its management and care for young George.

George stays on the family farm until age 15 when he’s sent to York to apprentice at Bell & Nicholson. In 1820, he completes his studies with flying colors and catches the eye of Elizabeth, the daughter of one of the company’s co-owners. They marry in 1821, as reported by Historyofyork.org.uk, and go on to have four children. Through this marriage, George gains a share in the prosperous company. With Bell’s retirement, Hudson’s influence grows, and the firm is renamed Nicholson & Hudson.

As a young co-owner of one of York’s best-performing businesses, George becomes a respected man. His fortune further improves when a distant uncle, with whom he built a close relationship, leaves him a £30,000 inheritance. This inheritance makes Hudson one of York’s wealthiest citizens almost overnight. Wisely investing his wealth, George co-founds York Union Bank, becoming its largest shareholder.

Hudson’s gaze soon turns toward railways, a hot new innovation by engineer George Stephenson. When the opportunity arises, Hudson seizes it, and in 1833, he joins the project to construct a rail line linking York to industrial Leeds. He collaborates closely with engineer John Rennie, gaining invaluable railway knowledge along the way.

The York-Leeds railway is completed in 1839, the same year Hudson becomes York’s mayor. Unsatisfied with a single line, he expands his ambitions significantly. He acquires and builds a vast railway network under the name York and North Midland Railway, appointing himself chairman and George Stephenson as the chief engineer. By 1844, Hudson operates over 1,600 km of rail, earning him the title The Railway King. His wealth and influence even lead to a seat in Parliament.

In 1846, Hudson persuades York’s city council to construct the Lendal Bridge, a critical piece of the city’s infrastructure. However, his political and business influence begins to overwhelm him. Involved in election bribery and illicit stock trading, Hudson faces serious challenges, even losing the support of key railway ally George Stephenson. Hudson’s railways become uncompetitive against newer, faster routes, yet he refuses to abandon his dreams. In pursuit of additional railways, he takes on significant debt, which ultimately becomes his downfall.

By early 1849, despite owning about a quarter of Britain’s rail network, Hudson is forced to resign from all chairmanships due to overwhelming debt. Selling off assets fails to cover his financial obligations, forcing him into exile in France to avoid creditor lawsuits. Shortly afterward, he also loses his parliamentary seat. In 1865, he returns to Britain, attempting to regain a seat in Parliament, but instead is arrested and imprisoned for fraud.

Hudson spends three months in prison before retiring in obscurity with his wife. The final chapter of the former Railway King’s life concludes in December 1871. He is laid to rest in Scrayingham, a few kilometers south of his birthplace, Howsham.

Source: Historyofyork.org.uk ; Yorkcivictrust.co.uk.