Leland Stanford
Importance: Transcontinental Railroad builder
Leland Stanford Stanford was an important figure in the Union Pacific railroad which built the transcontinental railroad which went from east to west linking up the Californian west coast with the eastern seaboard.
Stanford made a fortune during the 1848 first Goldrush selling heavy equipment to Gold prospectors. He rose to prominence and entered politics becoming Californian Governor from 1861. Stanford manipulated his political knowledge and contacts to ensure Union Pacific obtained the contract for the Transcontinental Railroad. He also managed to obtain grants of land free or cheap as well funding from the US Government.