Great Londoners

Samuel Pepys is one of the greatest writers in British literary history—and all because he kept a diary.  Today, Pepys’ Diary is considered to be the greatest personal account of life and events in 17th Century England.  It is a work revered both by literary and historical scholars as a first-hand account of such important moments as the Great Fire of London, the Second Dutch … [Read more...] about GREAT LONDONERS: Samuel Pepys – The Scribe of London

Michael Faraday is one of those great scientists whose discoveries really changed the world.  Focused on electromagnetism and electrochemistry, Faraday changed what we know about electricity.  His discoveries also led to several inventions including electrolysis, the Faraday cage to block electromagnetic fields, and the electric motor.  It’s certainly fair to say that Faraday … [Read more...] about Great Londoners – Michael Faraday – The Master of Electricity

Geoffrey Chaucer was one of the greatest contributors to English literature with his work The Canterbury Tales.  However, being a writer and poet was only part of what he did during his remarkable life.  Chaucer was a Renaissance man before the term was even coined, serving as a bureaucrat, courtier, diplomat, astronomer, and philosopher.  Part of what makes him one of the most … [Read more...] about Great Londoners – Geoffrey Chaucer

One of the first great architects of modern times, Inigo Jones was one of the instigators of the Palladian style of design, introducing the classical style of Venetian architect Andrea Palladio to Britain.  Several of his building projects can be seen today all over the country, and many of them are found in London, where Jones was born.  Not too much is known about his early … [Read more...] about Great Londoners – Inigo Jones – The Hero of Palladian Architecture

Ken Livingstone has arguably been one of the most influential London mayors in the City's history and at the very least, one of the biggest figures in London's government in the past century.  Often a controversial figure in his own Labour Party as well as with the Conservatives, he shepherded London's destiny for several decades as Leader of the Greater London Council and as … [Read more...] about Great Londoners – Ken Livingstone – The First Mayor of London

Born in Bedfordshire and a gardener by trade, like his 18th Century predecessor Capability Brown, Joseph Paxton would become known for more than just his care of plants.  Born in 1803, some materials listed his birth year as 1801, which Paxton himself later admitted was made up so that he could enroll in Chiswick Gardens to study as a gardener.  He began working there in 1823 … [Read more...] about Great Londoners – Joseph Paxton – Landscape Architect and Designer

Dr. Samuel Johnson is one of the most prolific writers in British history.  While his most famous contribution to language and literature was "The Dictionary of the English Language", he was also a poet, essayist, biographer, critic, and editor.  At the age of twenty-eight when he realised that the life of a teacher wasn't for him, he moved to London and began his career as a … [Read more...] about Great Londoners: Samuel Johnson – Author of the Most Important English Dictionary