Sir George Newnes

Publisher and politician, born in Matlock, Derbyshire, C England, UK. He was educated at Shireland Hall, Warwickshire, and the City of London School. He founded Tit-Bits (1881), the Strand Magazine (1891), the Westminster Gazette (1873), Country Life (1897), the Wide World Magazine (1898), and others. He was MP for the Newmarket division (1885–95).

Aside from his publishing activities, Newnes built a large home in the West Country, and was a key player in the development of the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth in North Devon He built an innovative cliff railway to join the two towns, and also provided the Town Hall and other amenities.

Largely as a result of Sir George's efforts, the 19-mile Lynton and Barnstaple Railway opened in 1898 ostensibly to bring visitors from the mainline railways at Barnstaple.

Never a major revenue earner, the line closed, after passing into Southern Ownership, in 1935, largely as a result of increased competition from road transport and the private motor car.

Seventy years on, a group of enthusiasts are now recreating the atmosphere of Newnes' Railway, and steam trains are once again carrying passengers along part of the old route.

Preceded by: Constituency created	Member for Newmarket 1885–1895	Succeeded by: Harry McCalmont
Preceded by: Sir John Talbot Dillwyn-Llewellyn, Bt	Member for Swansea 1900–1910	Succeeded by: Sir Alfred Mond

Preceded by: New Creation

Baronet (of Wildcroft, Surrey) 1895–1910

Succeeded by: Frank Hillyard Newnes