Mr Oliver Stanley to unveil memorial to Richard Trevithick at University College . Mr Oliver Stanley will unveil a memorial tablet at the University College London , to the memory of Richad Treithick , the pioneer in high pressure steam engines , who ran his first steam engine in 1808 , the memorial is the work of Mr L S Merrifield , the sculptor . Photo shows , Mr L S Merrifield putting the finishing touches to the memorial , which be unveiled at the University College today . 23 April 1934