Famous North Easterners include
William Armstrong, King Arthur, The Venerable Bede
Thomas Bewick, Eric Bloodaxe, King Canute,
Lewis Carroll, Captain James Cook, Saint Cuthbert,
Charles Dickens, Bernard Gilpin,
William Hedley, Timothy Hackworth, Harry Hotspur,
Charles Algernon Parsons, Bobby Shafto, George Stephenson, Robert Stephenson, Joseph Swan, John Walker, Saint Wilfred.
John Buddle (1773-1843) was a pioneer of mining engineering, born at Kyo (Stanley, County Durham), he worked with the Marquess of Londonderry to develop Seaham Harbour.
William Chapman and John Buddle were the railway pioneers behind the original Steam Elephant.
It was built in 1815 at
Wallsend
Admiral Lord Collingwood (1748-1810) was educated at Newcastle's Royal Free Grammar school and
owned Chirton House in North Shields.
At the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) he took over command to win the battle when Nelson was killed.
He was rewarded with a a peerage and chose the title
'Baron Collingwood of Caldbourne and Hethpole, in the County of Northumberland'.
Phineas Crowther of Newcastle-upon-Tyne patented
an improved type of vertical engine in 1800. It had no beam. It was
widely used as a colliery winding engine.
John Dobson the famous Newcastle architect was born in Chirton, North Shields in 1787.
Dr William Greenwell, archivist and archaeologist
was born and lived in Lanchester.
He was the originator of the trout fishing fly "Greenwell’s Glory".
Henry Greathead and William Wouldhave
In 1789 a major tragedy occured which led to the establishment of a
Lifeboat service in Britain.
A ship called The Adventure, ran ashore at the River Tyne in a storm.
Crowds watched helplessly as the crew drowned...to go out in the severe weather would have meant
certain death.
Following this tragedy the members of a social club in South Shields, The Gentlemen of
the Lawe House, offered a two guinea reward for the best Lifeboat design.
This led to the construction of The Original - the first Lifeboat built
for the job, and not just a conversion.
It was built by Henry Greathead, using a design of his and a local parish
clerk called William Wouldhave.
The boat was 30 feet long with 12 oars and carried 7 cwt of cork for buoyancy.
It served for 40 years on the Tyne, and several others were built for various
places around Britain.
A replica is on open display beside the fairground at Ocean Road in South Shields.
Timothy Hackworth (1786-1850) - was born in Wylam.
He was in charge of the locomotives on the Stockton to Darlington Railway and he
built a locomotive works at Shildon as part of the line.In 1829 he entered the engine
Sans Pareil in the Rainhill Trails.Unfortunately The engine suffered a
cracked cylinder and was withdrawn.
William Hedley-born in Newburn. He built Puffing Billy and Wylam Dilly
assisted by Timothy Hackworth
Stanley Jefferson (Stan Laurel of Laurel and Hardy). Spent his childhood living in Dockwray
Square, North Shields. His father was the manager of the Theatre Royal (demolished) in Prudhoe
Street. A bronze statue of Stan now stands in the park at the centre of Dockwray Square.
Sir James Knott was a 19th-20th century ship owner who lived at Monk's Haven, Cullercoats. He
left most of his money to the local people.
Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) was one of the most influential women of her time.
She was England's first woman journalist and lived at 57, Front Street, Tynemouth
from 1840 until 1845 to help her health. She wrote prolifically and her visitors included Lady Byron and Charlotte Bronte.
James Mitchell the author and playright was born in South Shields. He wrote the second series
of the 1975-1977 television series 'When The Boat Comes In'. James also wrote 'Callan'
Charles Parsons was born at Hyde Park which was his families London home.
His childhood home was Birr Castle in Ireland.
He came to Tyneside in 1877 as an apprentice.
In 1884 he was the first man to patent an economically successful, high powered steam turbine.
He went on to build the Turbinia which was the world's first steam turbine ship. It was the
fastest ship in the world from 1897-1899.
A wealth of information about Charles Parsons and his achievements can be seen at the Discovery
museum in Newcastle upon Tyne where The Turbinia is on display.
George Stephenson (1781-1848)
Was born in Wylam and was the father of Robert Stephenson (1803-1859).
In 1814 George Stephenson built his first steam locomotive and the next year
he invented a miner's safety lamp.
In 1822, Stephenson was appointed engineer of the Stockton and Darlington
Railway which opened in 1825. He was also appointed engineer on the Liverpool
and Manchester Railway.He built many other railways. He is perhaps best known for building
the steam locomotives-Locomotion and Rocket.
Robert Stephenson (1803-1859)
He was George Stephenson's only son and played an
important part in many of the developments associated with his father
including the construction of the `Rocket'.
Robert worked as the manager of their locomotive works in Newcastle-upon-Tyne
He was mostly responsible for the design of the locomotive 'Rocket' which
won the Rainhill Trails. In 1833, Robert became the engineer of the London to
Birmingham Railway which now forms part of the West Coast Mainline. As well
as building railways Robert is famous for building remarkable bridges.
In the North East Robert constructed the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick on Tweed and Newcastle's High Level Bridge over the Tyne.Other achievements are the tubular bridges
over the Menai Straits in Wales and also over the St Lawrence River in Canada.
Joseph Wilson Swan was born in Sunderland on October 31st 1828. He is best known for his
development of the incandescent filament electric lamp.
Author Robert Westall was born at 7, Vicarage Street, North Shields on October 7th, 1929.
He grew up in North Shields during World War 2.
His first novel The Machine Gunners arose from his desire to share that experience with his
son. His novels are often inspired by his wartime experiences and North Tyneside locations.
