Stevens, John (1749-1838), was an American engineer who urged the use of railroads rather than canals for transportation in the United States. In 1815, he received a charter to build a railroad from Trenton to New Brunswick in New Jersey. He designed and built the first steam locomotive in the United States in 1825. With his sons, Stevens set up the Camden and Amboy Railroad and Transportation Company in 1830. He also helped develop a railroad from Philadelphia to Columbia, Pa., that later became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Stevens was born in New York City. He graduated from King’s College (now Columbia University). At first, he was more interested in steamboats than in railroads. His ship, the Phoenix, which traveled from New York City to Philadelphia in 1809, was the first steamship to make an ocean voyage.
