George Francis Train

George Francis Train was an influential American businessman and eccentric figure known for his adventurous spirit and significant contributions to transportation. He organized the clipper ship line that navigated around Cape Horn to San Francisco and played a pivotal role in the development of the Union Pacific Railroad and Credit Mobilier, which were crucial to the construction of the eastern segment of the Transcontinental Railroad. His ventures extended to England, where he established a horse tramway company during the American Civil War, showcasing his innovative approach to transportation across continents. Train's notoriety grew with his globe-trotting exploits, beginning with his first widely publicized trip around the world in 1870. He believed that his journey inspired Jules Verne's famous novel, 'Around the World in Eighty Days,' suggesting that the character Phileas Fogg was modeled after him. In 1872, he made headlines again when he ran for president as an independent candidate and was jailed for obscenity while defending suffragist Victoria Woodhull. Over time, Train became a more eccentric figure in American and Australian history, remembered for his bold ideas and unconventional lifestyle, which left a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of his time.