Richard Moon

Sir Richard Moon, 1st Baronet (1814–1899) was the leading executive of the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) during its heyday as the largest public company in the world. He was chairman from June 1861 until he retired on 22 February 1891.

Early life Richard Moon was born in Liverpool (birth registered on 23 September 1814 ), the elder son

In 1830 the family firm of Moon Brothers was the sixth largest cotton importer in the city and dominated its trade with Brazil, where some members were based. As chairman, concerned with costs, he concentrated locomotive construction at Crewe, and carriage construction at Wolverton.

Other railways

Moon also founded the Snowdon Mountain Railway in Wales, in association with George Assheton-Smith, which opened in 1896.

Personal life

Moon lived in Bevere, a small hamlet on the banks of the River Severn, in Claines parish, Worcestershire, from 1849 to 1863.

Moon married Eleanor (1820–1891), daughter of John Brocklebank, of Hazelholm, Whitehaven, Cumberland, a former officer of the West Cumberland Volunteers, in 1840; they had three sons and two daughters. He was succeeded in the baronetcy by his grandson, Cecil Ernest Moon (son of Sir Richard's eldest son, Edward, who died in 1893). He is buried at St. Bartholomew's Church, Coventry.

Richard Moon Street in Crewe is named after him.