Person    | Male  Born 25/6/1837  Died 29/12/1905

Charles Tyson Yerkes

Categories: Transport

Countries: USA

First things first - pronounce his name to rhyme to with turkeys. He has a claim to having created London Transport.

Born Philadelphia. The memorial describes him as 'creative' and 'imaginative' but he seems quite an unpleasant businessman - on-line biographies use words such as 'ruthless' and 'disreputable'.

Began his business career in grain brokerage, then moved into banking. The 1871 Great Chicago Fire brought him financial ruin and accusations of embezzlement or larceny, an attempt at bribery and 7 months in prison. But within 10 years he was wealthy again. In 1881 he divorced, married a new wife and moved to Chicago where he gradually bought up most of the transit companies. In 1899 he effectively cashed in his holdings and moved to New York.

1898 he was in London buying up the District Railway and financing its electrification. He formed the Metropolitan District Electric Traction Company and through this he pushed through the acquisition, construction and electrification of many of the tube lines that became those we know and love today, including the Charing Cross Euston & Hampstead Railway company, the Baker Street and Waterloo Railway, and the Brompton and Piccadilly tube. He also acquired the tramway system and electrified it.

Died New York, with his estate greatly reduced by many debts.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Charles Tyson Yerkes

Commemorated ati

Chalk Farm Station

The plaque mentions the Charing Cross, Edgware & Hampstead Railway. We be...

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Charles Yerkes

{On the panel below the portrait:} Northern line founder Charles Tyson Yerkes...

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Other Subjects

Bawley fishing boat

Bawley fishing boat

Whitebait were caught by this type of craft in the River Thames, until 1950. The picture source website tells us that the Bawley is a variation of the 'smack' type of ship. The name "is probably de...

Vehicle, Food & Drink, Transport

1 memorial
first gas-lit street in the world

first gas-lit street in the world

The first public street lighting with gas was demonstrated in Pall Mall by Frederick Winsor in 1807.  In January he lit the street and in June he put on a special gas-lit exhibition here, celebrati...

Event, Engineering, Transport

2 memorials
Jellicoe Express

Jellicoe Express

Officially 'The Euston to Thurso Naval Special' this was known as the Misery Express. From 1917 this Royal Navy train ran daily between London Euston and Thurso during both world wars. It was name...

Vehicle, Armed Forces, Transport, Scotland

1 memorial
Samuel Plimsoll

Samuel Plimsoll

Born Bristol. "The sailors' friend", whose Load Line prevented ships becoming dangerously overloaded.  Sand shoes were renamed for him since the lower section is rubber and the upper is canvas: dry...

Person, Politics & Administration, Transport

1 memorial
Transport for London / London Transport

Transport for London / London Transport

This organisation has been a bit of a political football, often having its name changed, as follows: 1902 - 1933 Underground Electric Railways Company of London 1933 - 1948 London Passenger Transpo...

Group, Industry, Transport

40 memorials