Edward Pease - Definition and Overview

Edward Pease (1767-1858) was an English railroad owner and a Member of Parliament.

Pease was born in Darlington in 1767. He was active in his family's wool business.

He turned his attention to something new at the age of 50. He wanted to see a railroad line that would link the collieries in County Durham with the port at Stockton-on-Tees. He persuaded businessmen to back the plan financially. His plan was approved by Parliament in 1821.

Pease planned a horse-drawn railway until George Stephenson persuaded him to use his steam locomotive instead.

The Stockton and Darlington Railway was opened on September 27, 1825.

In 1829 Pease retired from the railroad and his son Joseph took over.

In 1832 Pease was elected a Member of Parliament for South Durham. He was the first Quaker (member of the Religious Society of Friends) ever elected to Parliament. He supported the Anti-Slavery movement and also supported Elizabeth Fry in her prison reform campaign.

Pease died in 1858.

External Links

http://www.railcentre.co.uk/stockton/stocktonmenu.htm