Edward Pease (1767 1858), who left behind extensive diaries for the years 1824 57, was dubbed the 'father of English railways' thanks to his backing of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, which began operating in 1825. A prominent Quaker and woollen manufacturer in Darlington, Pease famously recruited George Stephenson (1781 1848) as the line's engineer. His great-grandson Sir Alfred Pease (1857 1939) edited these diaries for private circulation only, but was persuaded to publish them in 1907. The work includes an introductory essay on Quakerism and biographical sketches of Pease and his...