biography
| name: |
Gurney, Sir Goldsworthy
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1793–1875)
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| biography:
| Inventor, born in Treator, Cornwall, SW England, UK. He trained and practised as a surgeon, but became more interested in solving scientific problems. Inspired by Stephenson's Rocket, he built a steam-powered carriage which completed a return journey from London to Bath at an average speed of 15 mph. He opened a passenger service, but this drew much opposition from horse-coach operators, and was soon taxed out of existence. He improved the lighting and ventilation in the House of Commons, for which he was knighted in 1863. |
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