The Fall of the Railway King

Learn about George Hudson, the 'Railway King', and his rise and fall.

Portrait of George Hudson (1840-1849) by James AndrewsNational Railway Museum

George Hudson rose to power, controlling a vast railway empire. His reign ended in scandal when his financial fraud was exposed, leading to his dramatic downfall, exile, and ruin.

His public downfall was a scandal famously documented in a satirical series of drawings presented below.

How He Reigned and How He Mizzled: A Railway RailleryNational Railway Museum

How He Reigned and How He Mizzled: A Railway Raillery by J.S.National Railway Museum

How He Reigned and How He Mizzled: A Railway Raillery by Unidentified CartoonistNational Railway Museum

How He Reigned and How He Mizzled: A Railway RailleryNational Railway Museum

How He Reigned and How He Mizzled: A Railway RailleryNational Railway Museum

How He Reigned and How He Mizzled: A Railway RailleryNational Railway Museum

How He Reigned and How He Mizzled: A Railway RailleryNational Railway Museum

How He Reigned and How He Mizzled: A Railway RailleryNational Railway Museum

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