Trevithick and Vivian's steam carriage patent, 1802. Richard Trevithick (April 13, 1771 - April 22, 1833) was an English inventor and mining engineer. The son of a mining captain, he performed poorly in school, but went on to be an early pioneer of steam-powered road and rail transport. His most significant contribution was to the development of the first high-pressure steam engine. He built the first full-scale working railway steam locomotive. Turning his interests abroad, he worked as a mining consultant in Peru and later explored parts of Costa Rica. Throughout his professional career, he went through many ups and downs, and at one point faced financial ruin, also suffering from the strong rivalry of many mining and steam engineers of the day. During the prime of his career, he was a well-respected and known figure in mining and engineering, but near the end of his life and after he fell out of the public eye. He died from pneumonia in 1833 at the age of 62. He was penniless, and no relatives or friends had attended his bedside during his illness. His colleagues at Hall's works made a collection for his funeral expenses and acted as bearers.