There are many people that have made and subsequently shaped history. In "Northern Folk", Bernie McCormick explores just a few of these people and in doing so, grants us a unique insight into their lives. Through a series of mini-biographies, we are introduced to a variety of folk beginning with the Pease family of Darlington and Joseph Pease, 'the 'father of middlesbrough'. We go on to discover how another 'Northern lad', Jeremiah Dixon, influenced an American civil war folk song. We learn about George Stephenson's perseverance in constructing both the Stockton and Darlington and Liverpool to Manchester railways, amongst others, and Richard Grainger's contribution to the architecture and development of the city of Newcastle; how George Hudson earned his title the 'railway king' and yet suffered humiliation and financial ruin, and then go on to witness the steely determination of Sir Edwin Alliott Verdon Roe. In the midst of all this industrial growth and engineering firsts, we are presented with the beauty and grace of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, when the author invites us to explore her life and her poetry, as well as the more humorous writings of Robert Smith Surtees. "Northern Folk" is the passionate exploration of some extraordinary people.