Robert Stephenson, English mechanical and civil engineer, 1849.

Mezzotint by Samuel Bellin, after an original oil painting by John Lucas, showing the engineer resting his arm on plans of the Britannia Tubular Bridge, which can be seen in the background. Robert Stephenson (1803-1859) was the son of George Stephenson (1781-1848), whom he asisted with the survey of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1821. In 1829 he designed the 'Rocket' locomotive which won the 'Rainhill Trials', a competition set up to find the most suitable locomotive for haulage on the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. He also designed many bridges, most famously the Royal Border and Britannia Tubular bridges, both constructed in 1850. He is buried in Westminster Abbey in London. Dimensions: 864mm x 575mm.