What the Victorian railway did for you...
Richard Marks
- Region:
- South East
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: £100 plus 45p per mile travel, or can be run online for £100 only.
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 22nd March 2025
- Tagged:
- Social History | Town History | Railways | Railway200
The railways made a huge difference to everywhere it went but the truth is very different from its portrayal on TV and in history books. This talk looks at how the railway impacted your town, and how it may not necessarily be what you expect. Industrial and Railway historian Dr Richard Marks will take you on a journey back through time to when the railways arrived where you live and what that meant to the people and businesses of the town. Please contact me to discuss requirements, and also please note that this talk will need more notice than my other talks to allow me to complete the research for your town's experience of railways in the 19th Century. The default setting for my account of Emergency short notice bookings being possible does not apply to this talk.
Views: 27 | Enquiries: 0About Richard Marks
I am a freelance professional historian residing in Berkshire. I specialize in industrial, military, and railway history, as well as the history of science. My current research focuses on industrial and social change during the Victorian era, the progression of Britain's railway and canal systems in the latter half of the 19th century, and the broader history of British industry. I earned my PhD in history from the University of Reading in 2024 and also have experience teaching a range of historical subjects to diverse groups.
My talks are suitable for different audiences and group sizes. I can adjust the length and format to meet your needs. My goal is to inform and entertain, and to leave the audience with a new insight and a desire to learn more.
My previous career in technology, working with British and international manufacturing companies, has given me a unique perspective as an historian.
Feedback from previous talks: "Richard had clearly done a massive amount of research and preparation. He is an excellent presenter very knowledgeable and engaging speaker. It was informative and thought provoking."
"I found the whole subject fascinating and wanted to learn more."
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Richard Marks
- A Lot More than Spitfires; Behind the Battle of Britain
- Arrival of the Railways in Reading
- A Bombers Moon: The Equipment and Tactics of RAF Bomber Command during World War Two
- Iron Dragons: British Tanks in the First World War
- A Barber and a Surgeon: Medicine in Victorian Times
- Stephensons Horses: The Victorian Railways
- Trouble at Mill: Life in the Victorian Factories
- An Eclectic Extravaganza: Victorians at Leisure
- Chocks Away: The Royal Flying Corps in the First World War
- So You Think We Do Not Make Anything Anymore ? British Manufacturing in the 21st Century
- The Great Western Railway in Victorian Berkshire
- Munitions Workers in World War One
- Britains Railways During World War One
- Britains Railways During World War Two
- Munitions Workers in World War Two
- They also Served: Women in Britain's Armed Forces during World War Two
- A Germination of an Idea: The Suttons Seeds Company
- A lot of Bs: Industry in Victorian Reading; more than just Biscuits
- What did Aunt May do in the War? Munitions Workers in World War One for Family Historians
- What Did Grandma do in World War 2? Munitions Workers in World War Two for Family Historians
- The Royal Flying Corps in World War I for Family Historians
- The Royal Air Force in World War 2 for Family Historians
- The Royal Navy in World War I for Family Historians
- The Royal Navy in World War Two for Family Historians
- Football and World War One
- Britain's Railway History for Family Historians
- The Royal Air Force in World War 2
- Biscuits for Queen Victoria: The Story of the Early Days of Huntley and Palmer
- The Royal Navy in World War I
- The Royal Navy in World War 2
- The Western Front in World War One
- The Home Front in World War I
- More Than France: Why World War I was a World War
- A British Industrial Giant that Never Was: The Story of British Rail Engineering Limited
- Living in The Slums: The Experience of the Victorian Working Class
- D-Day: Operation Overlord 80th Anniversary
- Railway200: The British Railway Revolution
- Railway200: How Britains First Railways Changed Everything
- The World's First Steam Tramway: The Story of the Wantage Tramway
- Steel Fortresses: British Tanks in World War Two
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