George Stephenson was an English engineer and inventor, best known for developing the first successful steam locomotive. Born in 1781, he played a crucial role in the early days of rail transport, which revolutionized the movement of goods and people. His most famous locomotive, the Locomotion No. 1, was used on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world's first public railway to use steam locomotives. Stephenson is often referred to as the "Father of Railways" due to his significant contributions to railway engineering. He also helped establish the Standard Gauge, a widely adopted railway track width that is still in use today. His innovations laid the groundwork for the global expansion of rail networks.