George Parker Bidder
(1806-1878)
George Bidder was born in Moretonhampstead, became famous nationally as a boy prodigy at mental arithmetic, was sent to study mathematics at Edinburgh University, and then entered the Civil Engineering profession just at the time when his skills were valuable in the enormous development of the railway system and the docks. He prospered (and helped his Devon relatives to prosper), bought property at Dartmouth, and eventually retired there.
He is remembered in Devon chiefly as an infant prodigy, and his status as Civil Engineer and successful business man is forgotten.
