Ralph Smith Cusack

Sir Ralph Smith Cusack was chairman of the Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR) of Ireland for forty years from 1865 to 1905.

Sir Ralph Smith Cusack
Born	November 16, 1821
Died	March 3, 1910 (aged 88)
Occupation	Chairman
Organization	Midland Great Western Railway

Cusack Vault in Mount Jerome Cemetery

Life

Cusack was born on 16 November 1821.

Cusack was appointed to the board of MGWR in 1958, the company being in some turmoil at this time.[1] Cusack accepted chairmanship of the MGWR in 1865 following the reluctant two day incumbency of William Maunsell, the company at that time incuring losses and [2]

Cusack's youngest son, Henry Edward Cusack, had a fairly rapid rise to Locomotive Superintendent of the MGWR with Clements and McMahon suggesting the familial connection was likely to have been factor.[3]

Cusack finally retired as Chairman in 1904 after about 40 years aged 84, leaving the Company in a relatively good financial position though receipts were declining.[4] He died on 3 March 1910.

Character

Shepherd describes Cusack's style as "although autocratic, he was fair minded and generally liked by all ranks".[4] Tatlow describes him as a "man of striking appearance", fluent, and with a good memory.[5]

References

Footnotes

1. Shepherd (1994), p. 27.
2. Shepherd (1994), p. 27, 30.
3. Clements & McMahon (2008), p. 181.
4. Shepherd (1994), p. 30.
5. Tatlow (1920), pp. 116–118.

Sources

• Clements, Jeremy; McMahon, Michael (2008). Locomotives of the GSR. Colourpoint Books. ISBN 9781906578268.
• Shepherd, Ernie (1994). The Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland. Leicester, England: Midland Publishing Limited. ISBN 1-85780-008-7.
• Tatlow, Joseph (1920). Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland. London: Railway Gazette. OCLC 918037007.