Changes

'''Sir Samuel <nowiki>Morton</nowiki> Peto, 1st Baronet''' (1809-1889) could be regarded as a typical Victorian entrepreneur. As well as being a civil engineer and railway developer, he served as a commissioner for and guarantor of the Great Exhibition of 1851, and was a Member of Parliament for 15 years. In business, he liked to take a directorship or similar management role in projects with which he was associated.<ref name = "Nabarro27">[[Bibliography#Books | Nabarro (1971)]] ppp. 27-29.</ref>

Brassey’s manufacturing company, Thomas Brassey and Co of Canada Works Birkenhead manufactured the wrought iron sections of [[Dowles Bridge]]. The scrollwork on [[Victoria Bridge]] also refers to "Messrs. Brassey & Co., Contractors." In another of his regular partnerships, the contractors for [[Albert Edward Bridge]] were recorded as Messrs '''Brassey and Field'''.<ref>[https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Albert_Edward_Bridge Grace's Guide] Retrieved 14 October 2019</ref> Some contemporary newspaper reports on the construction of the Severn Valley Railway also referred made reference to Brassey and Field. '''William Field''', also referred to in contemporary newspaper reports as "Captain Field", was a railway contractor from Shrewsbury.<ref>[http://www.audleyfhs.co.uk/Journal%204/Audley%20Branch%20Railway.htm The Audley Branch Railway, David Dyble]</ref>

The 1852 first prospectus for the Severn Valley Railway , issued in July 1852, called for a proposed capital of £600,000(around £89m in 2022 values). Brassey initially took the largest individual shareholding, having subscribed £30,000(almost £4.5m in 2022 values).<ref>[[Bibliography#Books | Nabarro (1971)]] p. 20.</ref> Peto Brassey and Betts also were not among the first subscribers, but the three contractors contributed £47,250 towards the £90,000 parliamentary deposit lodged later that yearwith the Bank of England after the Bill was submitted for consideration by Parliament in November 1852.<ref name = "Nabarro26" />

During 1853 and early 1854, while While the Severn Valley Railway was struggling to raise capital, Peto wrote to the Board on 12 November 1853, his letter beginning::''Gentlemen'' :''You will feel my interest in the Severn Valley Railway as sufficient excuse for my troubling you. I am most anxious that no expense of any kind should be incurred until we are really in a position to proceed.'' The Board responded that they agreed with his views and undertook a number of Directors on several occasionscost saving measures including ending [Robert Nicholson]'s annual salary. However they also prepared another Bill for submission to Parliament in March 1854 which as well as proposing an amended route, also confirmed the (salaried) directors would continue in office. This led On 11 April 1854 Peto wrote to SVR chairman Jonathan Thorp threatening to oppose the Bill if the office of Directors was made permanent, and putting the matter in the hands of his being solicitors. An exchange for letters between the solicitors and the SVR took place, in which the solicitors pointed out that Peto was now a substantial shareholder and someone whose reputation in railway matters would not go unheard in Parliament. In consequence Peto was elected to the Board on 3 May 1854 and becoming Chairman 10 on 8 May the Bill was withdrawn. Ten days laterJonathan Thorp resigned and Peto became Chairman.  Over the next three years, although heavily involved in other enterprises, he Peto contributed to the planning and contents of the Severn Valley Railway Acts of 1855, 1856 and 1858 which led to the final approval for the building of the railway.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books | Nabarro (1971)]] p. 29.</ref> He also attended a number of public meetings at Bridgnorth, Bewdley, Stourport and elsewhere during 1856 to help drum up public support.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books | Marshall (1989)]] p. 34.</ref>