Horse-Drawn Transport in Leeds

William Turton, Corn Merchant and Tramway Entrepreneur

William Turton (1825—1900) became the most experienced and respected developer of urban transport in northern England. Turton began a hay dealership at age 19, becoming a large-scale corn, fodder, and coal merchant. He invested in livery stables, cabs, and horse omnibuses. He was a founding director of Leeds Tramways Company, and chairman for most of its existence to 1896. As a borough councilor for many years, he was close to decision-making, and ran risks of insider dealing and conflicts of interest. With Daniel Busby he pioneered tramways for most northern cities (including Bradford, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Nottingham, and Newcastle). He adopted steam engines alongside horses, the real heroes of the story. His great-great-grandson reveals his fascinating life story.