Sir Ralph Smith Cusack was chairman of the Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR) of Ireland for forty years from 1865 to 1905.
Sir Ralph Smith Cusack | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | November 16, 1821 |
| Died | March 3, 1910 (aged 88) |
| Occupation | Chairman |
| Organization | Midland Great Western Railway |
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Life edit
Cusack was born on 16 November 1821, the son of James William Cusack, a Dublin surgeon, and Elizabeth Bernard. He held the sinecure office of Clerk of the Crown and Hanaper 1858-80.
He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, graduating BA in 1845 and MA in 1849.v[1]
Cusack was appointed to the board of MGWR in 1858, the company being in some turmoil at this time.[2] Cusack accepted the chairmanship of the MGWR in 1865 following the reluctant two-day incumbency of William Maunsell, the company at that time incurring losses.[3]
He married Elizabeth Barker, daughter of Richard Barker and had seven children. Cusack's youngest son, Henry Edward Cusack, had a fairly rapid rise to Locomotive Superintendent of the MGWR with Clements and McMahon suggesting the familial connection was likely to have been a factor.[4]
Cusack finally retired as Chairman in 1904 after about 40 years aged 84, leaving the Company in a relatively good financial position though receipts were declining.[5] He died on 3 March 1910.
Character edit
Shepherd describes Cusack's style as "although autocratic, he was fair-minded and generally liked by all ranks".[5] Tatlow describes him as a "man of striking appearance", fluent, and with a good memory.[6]
References edit
Footnotes edit
- ^ Alumni Dublinenses: a register of the students, graduates, professors and provosts of Trinity College in the University of Dublin (1593-1860), Burtchaell,G.D/Sadlier,T.U p204: Dublin, Alex Thom and Co, 1935
- ^ Shepherd (1994), p. 27.
- ^ Shepherd (1994), p. 27, 30.
- ^ Clements & McMahon (2008), p. 181.
- ^ a b Shepherd (1994), p. 30.
- ^ Tatlow (1920), pp. 116–118.
Sources edit
- Clements, Jeremy; McMahon, Michael (2008). Locomotives of the GSR. Colourpoint Books. ISBN 9781906578268.
- Shepherd, Ernie (1994). The Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland. Leicester, England: Midland Publishing Limited. ISBN 1-85780-008-7.
- Tatlow, Joseph (1920). Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland. London: Railway Gazette. OCLC 918037007.