First Atmospheric Piston Carriage Tested
The first piston carriage is delivered and makes an initial atmospheric test run from Exeter.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1847 in Great Britain
Explore 52 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1847.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1847
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 52 unique records.
52Unique records
1 of 2Page
38Named events on this page
23Named people on this page
15Places on this page
February
Brunel and Samuda Atmospheric Trial
Brunel and Jacob Samuda take part in an early test journey that exposes weaknesses in pumps and traction pipes.
June
Ten Hours Act
The Ten Hours Act limits daily factory labour for women and young people.
July
Birth of Walter Runciman
Birth of Walter Runciman
August
Atmospheric Goods Train Demonstration
An atmospheric-powered train hauls eleven goods wagons on the South Devon Railway during experimental running.
SS Great Britain
SS Great Britain is refloated after remaining stranded in Dundrum Bay for nearly a year.
September
Atmospheric Railway
Brunel's atmospheric railway opens to Teignmouth using stationary engines and vacuum pipes for propulsion.
Public Atmospheric Service to Teignmouth
Regular passenger services begin using atmospheric propulsion between Exeter and Teignmouth.
October
Bank Charter Act Suspension
During a severe financial panic, the government authorises temporary suspension of the Bank Charter Act's note limits while maintaining the commitment to gold convertibility.
Bank Charter Suspension
The Government authorises temporary suspension of the note-issue limit during a financial panic.
November
Discovery of Anaesthetic
Carries out the 1sr succesful experiment to use chloroform as an anaesthetic
Health of James Young Simpson
Carries out the 1sr succesful experiment to use chloroform as an anaesthetic
Other events (month unknown)
Agnes Grey
Publication of "Agnes Grey"
Ashley Cooper Celebrates Factory Hours Reform
Ashley Cooper's longstanding campaign contributed to parliamentary acceptance of stronger limits on textile mill employment.
Bremner Undertakes Dundrum Salvage
Scottish engineer James Bremner undertook the demanding salvage of SS Great Britain after her grounding in Dundrum Bay.
British Museum
Completes the construction of the British Museum
British Museum South Front Completed
Robert Smirke's monumental southern frontage formed part of the completed principal neoclassical building of the British Museum.
Discovery of Enceladus
Herschel discovered two moons of Saturn, Mimas and Enceladus; as well as two moons of Uranus, Titania and Oberon, he did not give these moons their names; rather, they were named by his son John in 1847 and 1852, respectively, well after his death
Discovery of Mimas
Herschel discovered two moons of Saturn, Mimas and Enceladus; as well as two moons of Uranus, Titania and Oberon, he did not give these moons their names; rather, they were named by his son John in 1847 and 1852, respectively, well after his death
Election
Elected for the University of Oxford (representing the MA graduates of the University) at the General Election
Empson Becomes Edinburgh Review Editor
William Empson succeeded Macvey Napier and assumed editorial direction of the Edinburgh Review.
Factory Acts
Leader of the reforms for factory legislation, Factory Acts
Fielden Secures Parliamentary Ten Hour Victory
John Fielden played a central part in obtaining passage of the 1847 Ten Hours Act.
Fielden Sponsors Ten Hours Act
John Fielden played a leading parliamentary role in securing the 1847 factory legislation establishing the ten hour principle.
Fielden Sponsors Ten Hours Legislation
John Fielden was a leading parliamentary sponsor of the Ten Hours Act passed in 1847.
Glenalmond College
Gladstone helps to establish Glenalmond College, then The Holy and Undivided Trinity College at Glenalmond, set up as an episcopal foundation to spread the ideas of the Anglican Church in Scotland, and to educate the sons of the gentry
Glenalmond College
Gladstone helps to establish Glenalmond College, then The Holy and Undivided Trinity College at Glenalmond, set up as an episcopal foundation to spread the ideas of the Anglican Church in Scotland, and to educate the sons of the gentry
Governor
Appointed Governor of Madras
Governor
Appointed Governor General of India, 1st term
Great Western Atlantic Service Ends
The vessel's first phase of transatlantic commercial operation ended as the original steamship company declined.
Great Western Sold For New Service
The pioneering steamship passed to another operator after its original transatlantic career.
Great Western Sold To Royal Mail
The Great Western Steamship Company sold its original paddle steamer to the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company in April 1847.
Hungerford Suspension Chains Carry Traffic
The iron link chains supported regular pedestrian use of the elevated bridge deck.
Jane Eyre
Publication of "Jane Eyre"
Legislation
Leader of the reforms for factory legislation, Factory Acts
Lord Lieutenant
Appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
Magnetic Department Recording Expanded
Airy's administration developed observations of terrestrial magnetism alongside the observatory's established astronomical programme.
New Factory Limits Initially Set Eleven Hours
The 1847 legislation provided an initial transitional limit of eleven hours for women and young persons before the ten hour rule took effect.
Railway Speculation and Credit Crisis
Wilson edited The Economist during the railway investment collapse and banking difficulties, when monetary stability and commercial confidence became urgent questions.
Reform of Working Hours
Sponsors the successful passage of the Ten Hours act
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.