Renowned as a fashion illustrator, Oscar-winning costume designer, social caricaturist and writer, Cecil Beaton – ‘The King of Vogue’ – was an extraordinary force in the 20th-century British and ...

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.

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 ...

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 ...

Sir William Reynolds-Stephens was a sculptor, decorative artist and painter. Born of British parents, he was educated in Germany and England and then at the Royal Academy Schools in London from 1884 ...

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 ...

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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 ...

Training for the Unitarian ministry, Aikin changed his plans and devoted himself to scientific pursuit. Under the guidance of Joseph Priestley he studied chemistry, focusing on mineralogy and botany.