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 Best (MP) George Best (MP) George Best DL, JP (10 November 1759 – 8 September 1818) was a British politician. Best was the son of James Best, of Park House, Boxley, Kent, High Sheriff of Kent in 1751, by Frances, daughter of Richard Shelley, of Michaelgrove, Sussex. He sat as Member of Parliament for Rochester from 1790 to 1796. He was also a Deputy Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace for Kent. Best married Caroline, daughter of Edward Scott, of Scott's Hall, Kent, in 1784. They had several children, including Dorothy Best, wife of Reverend Joseph George Brett and mother of William