1. Henry Booth was a British corn merchant, businessman and engineer particularly known as one of the key people behind the construction and management of the pioneering Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first steam railway conducting both scheduled passenger services and freight.
Henry Booth was born in Rodney Street, Liverpool, England, a descendant of the Booths of Twemlow.
Henry Booth showed an aptitude for reading books, poetry, practical mechanics and was noted for a good eye for proportion.
Henry Booth initially found employment in his father's business before branching out with this own corn merchant business, being noted for not being particularly successful.
Henry Booth later replaced his father and quickly became noted for organisational and promotional skills and enthusiasm for the endeavour which was to an extent stalling by 1823 and least in part due to the difficulties and over-commitment of William James.
Henry Booth was in favour of locomotive haulage; however locomotives being built were mostly orientated towards freight haulage to and from mines and not for higher speed passenger work.
Henry Booth is connected with the use of buffers for the coach rolling stock, even having to account to parliament on the matter in 1832 and introducing and devised an arrangement with an additional set of springs with double hanging shackles for first class coaches.
Henry Booth was a leading proponent of working all British railways to one standard time.
Henry Booth served as the company secretary for the LNWR's Northern Division for a year, being the first person to do so.
Henry Booth is credited with the invention of the screw coupling, with a statue of him holding one displayed in St George's Hall, Liverpool.