George Hudson George Hudson George Hudson (probably 10 March 1800 – 14 December 1871) was an English railway financier and politician who, because he controlled a significant part of the railway network in the 1840s, became known as "The Railway King" – a title conferred on him by Sydney Smith in 1844. Hudson played a significant role in linking London to Edinburgh by rail, carrying out the first major merging of railway companies (the Midland Railway), developing his hometown of York into a major railway junction, and represented Sunderland in the House of Commons. Hudson's success was built on dubious financial practices
George Knapp (MP) George Knapp (MP) George Knapp (1754 – 1809) was a British Member of Parliament. George Knapp was born during 1754 in Abingdon, the son of a grocer. He was educated at John Roysse's Free School in Abingdon, (now Abingdon School). George and his younger brother Henry became grocers, running a shop in West St Helen Street before George became a banker. George started a career in politics and by 1780 was a freeman. He later became a burgess, bailiff and chamberlain and was four times Mayor of Abingdon. He defeated Sir Thomas Metcalfe, 1st Baronet for the Abingdon seat in