Rev. William Turner and Railways | Lecture

Monday 20th October | 6pm

Rev. William Turner and Railways: the life, times and importance of Turner and his congregation in the development of railways.

A talk by Paul L. Dawson.

Born in Wakefield in 1761, the Rev. William Turner Jr. became an integral part of the religious, educational and social life of Newcastle at the end of the 18th century and the first decades of the 19th. As minister of Hanover Square Unitarian Chapel, his congregation included many who had interests in coal mining, as well as science and technology, for example, John Buddle, perhaps the foremost colliery viewer of his age. He was involved with the development of early railways in Britain and overseas. Another example is George Stephenson and his son, Robert.

The development of railways was a Yorkshire phenomenon. The world's first public railway was in Wakefield; the world's first successful and commercially viable steam railway was in Leeds.

Attending a meeting of Unitarian clergy in Leeds, William Turner witnessed the wonder of the age. He gave a paper to the Newcastle Lit & Phil which was the genesis moment for the development of the steam locomotive on Tyneside.

Paul L. Dawson is a postgraduate of the University of Leeds, holding the degree of Master of Arts by Research. An active Unitarian Lay Minister, he has written over 50 books on the history of Unitarianism, societal development in the long 18th century, the Napoleonic Wars and more recently the Wars of the Roses.

A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £3

(If you would prefer to book directly over the phone, please call the Library Desk team on 0191 232 0192 and they will be happy to help)

Image: Paul L. Dawson; postgraduate of the University of Leeds, and active Unitarian Lay Minister | Image provided by promoter (Artwalk_Nov2019)

Image: Rev. William Turner | Photograph of oil painting. Painted 1761–1859 by Morton

Host or Publisher The Lit and Phil