13

Thomas Brassey

By Clay Lane

The unsung surveyor from Cheshire, who built railways and made friends across the world.

14

A Leader by Example

By Samuel Smiles

George Stephenson won the admiration of French navvies by showing them how a Geordie works a shovel.

15

A Very Special Correspondent

By Samuel Smiles

Pauline de Meulan’s magazine Publiciste was close to going out of business when an anonymous contributor stepped in.

16

Honourable Mr Fox

By Samuel Smiles

The colourful Foreign Secretary humbly accepted a lesson in manners from a local tradesman.

17

A Monument to Liberty

By Samuel Smiles

Samuel Smiles explains why the London and Birmingham Railway was an achievement superior to the Great Pyramid of Giza.

18

Britain’s Best Gift to India

By Samuel Smiles

Samuel Smiles reminds us that until we brought the railways to India, we had little to boast about as an imperial power.