George Hudson Bentinck introduced a bill to build a railway network in Ireland. The cost of the proposal was £16 million which George Hudson, no doubt sensing an opportunity, supported. The government did not support the bill which was ultimately defeated. In the run up to the 1852 general election Hudson – who by this time was in severe financial difficulty – spoke on several issues including a repeal of a timber tax and on a corrupt practices bill. He was re-elected by 54 votes in the election but with his railway career in decline and drinking heavily he presented rather a
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