Richard Trevithick (1771–1833), in His 45th Year

Image credit: National Trust Images

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Richard Trevithick, the famous Cornish engineer, invented the high pressure strong steam engine and patented it in 1802. This machine helped factories, ships, railways and agriculture. He also built the first full-scale working railway steam locomotive. A plaque, commemorating the 'Catch me who can' locomotive of 1808, the first to take passengers on the streets of London, is in Gower Street. This is a copy of John Linnell's original portrait of Richard Trevithick, now in the Science Museum. Linnell’s portrait was painted in 1816. This was the year he went to Peru, leaving his wife Jane Harvey and their six children behind. It is thought he is pointing to the Andes mountains. He returned penniless from South America in 1827. Before he died he wrote, 'However I may be straightened in my pecuniary circumstances, the great honour of being a useful subject can never be taken from me, which to me far exceeds riches.

National Trust, Cornish Mines and Engines, Trevithick Cottage

near Redruth

Title

Richard Trevithick (1771–1833), in His 45th Year

Date

1858

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 60 x W 48.5 cm

Accession number

90311

Acquisition method

on loan from the Trevithick Society

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

National Trust, Cornish Mines and Engines, Trevithick Cottage

Pool, near Redruth, Cornwall TR15 3ED England

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