1846 - appointed locomotive superintendent of the new Furness Railway.

1856 - became a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

1870 - encouraged the establishment of Barrow's shipbuilding company.

1859 - moved into Abbots Wood, a new mansion leased from the Furness railway.

1867-1872 - served as first mayor of Barrow-in-Furness.

1872 - Knighted.

1873 - became High Sheriff of Lancashire.