George Stephenson (1781-1848) English mechanical engineer and railway pioneer, born at Wylam, near Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland. Artist's impression of Stephenson trying out his miner's safety lamp. He perfected his third lamp in 1815 when he was enginewright at Killingworthworth colliery, and it was widely used in coal mines in the north of England. From The Triumphs of Steam by Henry Frith (London, c1898). Engraving.