The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the History of Penny Postage, Vol. 2 (of 2)

Sir Rowland Hill emerges as a tireless public servant whose ambition was to democratise communication. The volume opens with his testimony before a parliamentary committee, where he defends the fledgling penny‑post system against accusations of fraud and argues for its financial viability. It also follows his brief but eventful stint as director and later chairman of the Brighton Railway Company, where he wrestles with safety codes, excursion trains, and the integration of postal services onto the rails.

Beyond the rails, Hill confronts a whirlwind of administrative battles: from disputes over money‑order accounting to heated debates over Sunday labour in the post office. He navigates diplomatic entanglements with France, Spain, and the United States, while championing reforms such as book post and telegraph integration. Throughout, his correspondence with figures like Dickens and Cobden reveals a man equally committed to efficiency, fairness, and the public good.