Bell was a leading surgeon in Edinburgh's medical community. He was particularly well known for his lectures and teaching, and is now regarded as a pioneer of modern vascular surgery. Bell was also a ...

Ponsonby was a cavalry officer serving on Wellington's staff. It was he who brought to Wellington the news of Napoleon's abdication in 1814. 'You don't say so, upon my honour! Hurrah!' exclaimed the ...

Architect, writer, designer and ecclesiologist; leader of the Gothic revival movement; converted to Roman Catholicism in 1835; designed many churches including St. Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham and St.

Adebowale is Chief Executive (since 2001) of Turning Point, a social enterprise providing specialist and integrated services which focus on improving lives and communities. In his work, he is a ...

Born and educated in in St. Petersburg, Shostakovich entered the conservatory at the age of thirteen to study piano and composition. His graduation piece, Symphony No. 1, premiered in 1926 to ...

Benjamin Britten's mother Edith was a talented amateur singer and pianist, and an enthusiastic member of the Lowestoft Musical Society. She held musical evenings in her drawing room, and at the age of ...

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Bankes was educated at Westminster School and Trinity College Cambridge where he met Lord Byron, who became his close friend. In 1810, he joined his father in Parliament for two years, representing ...

Vivian entered the army in 1793, and less than a year later became a captain in the 28th Foot Regiment. He served in the 1794 campaigns in Flanders and the Netherlands. In 1804, he was made Lieutenant ...

Statesman; elected MP, 1830, and later served under Sir Robert Peel, distinguishing himself as Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1845-6. Fremantle resigned his seat in 1846, became Chairman of the Board of ...

Adams was a photographer who worked in Southampton and Reading. He was the co-inventor of the dry-plate process, the father of photographer Marcus Adams and the grandfather of Gilbert Adams.

Painter; born in Strasbourg, he trained in Paris before coming to England in 1771. He became principal designer at Drury Lane under his friend Garrick and his work for the theatre revolutionised ...