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. Let’s look at the role they played and discover why George Hudson the “Railway King” has no statue whereas his rival George Leeman stands proud in the city centre.
Hudson came from modest beginnings but soon established himself as a canny businessman, becoming a partner in the drapery firm where he was apprenticed. His new found wealth opened up many opportunities for social advancement and for involvement in the governance of the city. He soon became attracted to the burgeoning world of railway building and by 1844 controlled more than 1,000miles of railway track. In an age where railway companies were completely privatized he was able to profit from his investments and buy a house in Knightsbridge as well as stately homes in his native Yorkshire. He became a Conservative MP and was elected Mayor of York three times.
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. 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 after which he left the country.
Meanwhile George Leeman was also prospering and making his mark on the town. A greengrocer’s son he became 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 organizations in addition to Clerk of the Peace for the East Riding. Following Hudson’s fall from grace he became chairman of the North Eastern Railways which had its HQ in York. He was also active in politics becoming Liberal MP for York and was elected Lord Mayor of York on three occasions. 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 coowned an iron ore mining company and when it collapsed in 1877 his health was affected as well as his financial status. He died in 1882 and three years later a statue was erected by public subscription and Station Road was fittingly renamed Leeman Road.
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. Both men made a great contribution to their city as well as impacting on the development of the railway industry and making York the important railway hub it is today.
Article contributed by Rosemary Barnes who is leading a walk based on the History of the Railways in York which looks at some of the sites associated with Hudson and Leeman – please contact her for details: https://yorkshiresbestguides.co.uk/project/rosemary-barnes/
2025 sees the celebration of 200 years of the modern railway, read more here: www.Railway200.co.uk
Photograph: Plaque commemorating George Hudson, York
