Train was born in Boston. In 1832 his family moved to New Orleans but soon afterwards they all except young George died of yellow fever. He was then raised by his grandmother.

He became a merchant in Boston and also in Australia and England.

In Britain he is most famous for his attempt to introduce the first tram service, in 1860-62, which failed.

He returned to America where he became famous as a public speaker and eccentric. He wrote at least 11 books.

References

Dictionary of American Biography
Train, George Francis. An American Merchant in Europe, Asia, and Australia: A Series of Letters from Java, Singapore, China, Bengal, Egypt, the Holy Land, the Crimea and Its Battle Grounds, England, Melbourne, Sydney, etc., etc. (New York: G.P. Putnam, 1857). Also available at: http://moa.umdl.umich.edu/cgi-bin/moa/sgml/moa-idx?notisid=AFK6711

Indexes

European
USA
19th Century
20th Century
Business and Industry
Journalism
Transportation
Financial Problems, Poverty, Bankruptcy
Pre-school Years
Orphaned (Both Parents)
Grandparents
Single Adopters or Fosterers
Parent(s) Died, Disappeared or Became Incapacitated