The Panama Railroad
The Panama Railroad
In 1848, a group of ambitious American entrepreneurs decided to build a railroad across the Isthmus of Panama, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for the first time. This was not only a remarkable feat of engineering, but also had seismic international effects.
Join today’s leading authority on the project, Dr Peter Pyne, as he takes us through the boldest capitalist venture of its time. Peter will discuss the rationale for building this rail link in the mid nineteenth century; the societal impact of the railroad, and how it transformed the destiny of thousands of lives in America, Panama and even Ireland; and the economic and political effect of the railroad’s completion.
At the end of Peter's talk, there will be opportunity to pose questions to him.
Last Frontiers
Last Frontiers are a specialist tour operator for Latin America, and have been arranging tailor-made tours to the region for both individuals and small groups for over 30 years. They have been working with the alumni travel programme for both Oxford and Cambridge for the last 5 years, during which time they have run tours to Peru (twice), Chile, and Colombia. In 2023 they have tours to Panama (with Dr Peter Pyne, focussing on the Panama railroad and canal) and Peru (focussing on Nasca and Inca cultures). Their founder, Ed Paine, will introduce Peter.
Speakers
Dr Peter Pyne
Dr Peter Pyne was born in Dublin in 1941. He received his B.A. and M.A. from University College Dublin, before completing an M.Phil at the University of Glasgow, and a D. Phil at the Ulster University. He spent most of his working career in the Adult Education Department of Ulster University, and since retiring he helps his wife run a B&B in Derry. Peter’s favourite pastimes are reading history and strolling with his bulldog, Bruno. He is the author of The Panama Railroad (Indiana University Press, 2021).
