Sir John George Bourinot (1837 - 1902)

Canadian Historian, Political Scientist, Author. He is best known as an authority on the Canadian Constitution and Government. He wrote “Local Government In Canada” (1887), “Manual Of The Constitutional History Of Canada” (1888) and “How Canada Is Governed” (1895). (bio by: K)

Sir John Gielgud (1970 - 2000)

Actor. Born Arthur John Gielgud in South Kensington, London to Frank Gielgud, a stockbroker, and his wife, Kate Terry-Lewis. He attended Hillside preparatory school, where he first appeared onstage in a production of Shakespeare’s ‘Merchant of Venice’. At 17 he made his professional debut at the Old Vic in 1921 in a minor role in […]

Sir John Jervis (1802 - 1856)

Law Reformer, Author and Statesman. He introduced the Indictable Offences Act to English law. He was educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge, but took a commission in the army before completing his studies. After two years he resumed his legal training and was called to the bar at the Middle Temple in 1824. […]

Sir John Lavery (1856 - 1941)

John Lavery was born in Belfast, the son of a publican. John was orphaned at an early age and moved to Glasgow, where he became apprenticed to a photographer. It was here that he began to be interested in painting, as a result of retouching the negatives and adding tinted colour to the prints. Later, […]

Sir John Lestrange (1970 - 1970)

Fellow of the College (bio by: David Conway)

Sir John Pender (1816 - 1896)

British Pioneer of submarine communications cables, and Founder of Cable and Wireless. He began his career as a textile merchant and owned a warehouse in Manchester. In 1865 he became the joint founder of the Anglo-American Company, which was formed with the intention of laying the first successful transatlantic submarine cable. He secured the future […]

Sir John Reeves Ellerman (1862 - 1933)

Secretive millionaire, whose fortune was made from shipping and a wide variety of investments from brewing to newspapers. Believed to have been the richest man in England at his death. (bio by: David Conway) Cause of death: stroke

Sir Joseph Francis (1801 - 1893)

Founder of U. S. Life Saving Service and American Ship Wreck Society.  Family links:  Spouse:  Ellen Francis (____ – 1872)*  Children:  Isaac P. Francis (1834 – 1910)* *Calculated relationship

Sir Joseph William Bazalgette (1819 - 1891)

Joseph William Bazalgette was born at Hill Lodge, Clay Hill, Enfield, London, the son of Joseph William Bazalgette (1783–1849), a retired Royal Navy captain, and Theresa Philo, née Pilton (1796–1850), and was the grandson of a French Protestant immigrant.  He began his career working on railway projects, articled to noted engineer Sir John MacNeill and […]

Sir Kingsley Amis (1922 - 1995)

Author, Poet. He is probably best remembered for his novel “Lucky Jim.”  Family links:  Spouse:  Elizabeth Jane Howard (1923 – 2014)*  Children:  Sally Myfanwy Amis (1954 – 2000)* *Calculated relationship

Sir Lewis Casson (1875 - 1969)

Actor of stage and film. Casson was married to British actress, Dame Sybil Thorndike from 1908 until his death in 1969, and was the father of Ann, Christopher, John, and Mary Casson. His films are, “Uncle Vanya” (1963), “Shake Hands With The Devil” (1959), “Men Of The Sea” (1951), “The Winslow Boy” (1948), “Sixty Glorious […]

Sir Max Beerbohm (1872 - 1956)

Caricaturist, Author. Born in London, England. The youngest of nine children of a Lithuanian-born grain merchant, Julius Ewald Edward Beerbohm (1811–92). His mother was Eliza Draper Beerbohm (d. 1918).  Affectionately known to everyone as “Max” he was the younger half brother of the actor-producer Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, he was accustomed to fashionable society from […]

Sir Max Beerbohm (1872 - 1956)

Caricaturist, Author. Born in London, England. The youngest of nine children of a Lithuanian-born grain merchant, Julius Ewald Edward Beerbohm (1811–92). His mother was Eliza Draper Beerbohm (d. 1918).  Affectionately known to everyone as “Max” he was the younger half brother of the actor-producer Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, he was accustomed to fashionable society from […]

Sir Michael Patrick Nolan (1928 - 2007)

English Jurist.  Baron Nolan,  author of the Nolan Report. He was educated at Ampleforth College and, following national service with the Royal Artillery, studied law at Wadham College, Oxford. He began practicing at the Middle Temple in 1953, specializing in tax law. He was made a Queen’s Council in 1968 and a member of the […]

Sir Michael Sobell (1892 - 1993)

Industrial magnate. Came to England at age of 11. Eventually became Chairman of the Uk General Electric Company  in 1961. Knighted in 1972. A noted philanthropist who donated to a wide variety of Jewish and non-Jewish charities. (bio by: David Conway)

Sir Nigel Hawthorne (1929 - 2001)

Actor. He is best known to American audiences for his role as Sir Humphrey Appleby in the British television comedy series “Yes Minister” and its follow-up companion sequel “Yes Prime Minister.” Born in the West Midlands of England, he was raised in South Africa before returning home to the United Kingdom in early 1950 to […]

Sir Noel Coward (1899 - 1973)

Legendary playwright (‘Blithe Spirit,’ ‘Private Lives’), actor, singer and songwriter (‘The Stately Homes of England,’ ‘Don’t Put Your Daughter on the Stage, Mrs. Worthington,’ ‘Mad Dogs and Englishmen’). When asked what he would be remembered for after death, he replied “Charm.” Buried at Firefly Hill, Jamaica. (bio by: David Conway)  Family links:  Parents:  Arthur Sabin […]

Sir Rex Harrison (1908 - 1990)

Actor. Born Reginald Carey in Lancashire, England, he was one of the industry’s most distinguished performers on stage, screen and television. He made his film debut in “The Great Game” (1930) and went on to appear in over 50 movies. For his performance as Professor Henry Higgins in the film “My Fair Lady” (1964), he […]

Sir Roger De Grey (1918 - 1995)

British Artist. He studied art at Chelsea Polytechnic from 1936 under Harold Williamson and Raymond Coxon. His studies were interrupted by World War II, when he served with the Royal Armoured Corps. After the war he taught at Kings College, Newcastle University, the Royal College of Art, and the City and Guilds of London Art […]

Sir Roger De Grey (1918 - 1995)

British Artist. He studied art at Chelsea Polytechnic from 1936 under Harold Williamson and Raymond Coxon. His studies were interrupted by World War II, when he served with the Royal Armoured Corps. After the war he taught at Kings College, Newcastle University, the Royal College of Art, and the City and Guilds of London Art […]

Sir Samuel Cunard (1788 - 1865)

Canadian pioneer of regular transatlantic steam navigation. The son of a United Empire Loyalist, he became a leading businessman of Nova Scotia and engaged in banking, lumbering, shipping, and shipbuilding enterprises. His fleet at one time numbered some 40 vessels. He was interested in the development of steam navigation and owned shares in the Royal […]

Sir Squire Bancroft (1841 - 1926)

Actor. Theatre Manager. Born Squire White Butterfield in Rotherhithe, Southwark, London, he was educated privately in England and France. He made his stage debut in Birmingham in 1861. After a four year stint in the provinces, he made his London bow in 1865 at the Prince of Wales’s Theatre in ‘A Winning Hazard.’ It was […]

Sir Stanley Baker (1927 - 1976)

Welsh-born film actor and producer. Some of his credits include “The Italian Job,” “The Guns of Navarone” and Zulu.” Knighted shortly before his death.

Sir Stanley Baker (1927 - 1976)

Welsh-born film actor and producer. Some of his credits include “The Italian Job,” “The Guns of Navarone” and Zulu.” Knighted shortly before his death. (bio by: David Conway)

Sir Thomas Gresham (1970 - 1579)

Businessman. Considered the greatest merchant of his day, financial agent to Queen Elizabeth 1st. Formulated ‘Gresham’s Law’ on the dangers of false coin (“bad money drives out good”). Founded the Royal Exchange in 1570 which marked the beginning of the growth of London as a financial centre. The grasshopper which was part of his coat […]

Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769 - 1830)

Artist. Born the son of an innkeeper in Bristol, he was a child prodigy who began drawing portraits at a very young age, and by 12 had his own studio. Studied at the Royal Academy, and was appointed Royal Artist to George III in 1792 at the age of 20. He was knighted in 1815 […]

Sir Thomas Smythe (1970 - 1625)

Entrepreneur,  Diplomat. First Governor of the East India Company. He was the son of a leading customs officer and made his fortune as a merchant, being a member of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers and the Worshipful Company of Skinners. In 1600 he was elected as the first Governor of the newly formed East India […]

Sir William Buell Richards (1815 - 1889)

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. He was a son of Stephen Richards, Sr. and Phoebe (Buell) Richards, both of whom were among the pioneer families of Upper Canada following the American Revolution. His formal education began at the Johnstown District Grammar School in Brockville, Ontario. In 1837, after earning his degree from […]

Sir William Chambers (1723 - 1796)

Surveyor-General to the King and architect of Somerset House, the Albany and the Kew Gardens Pagoda amongst other buildings. (bio by: David Conway) Cause of death: asthma

Sir William D’Avenant (1970 - 1668)

Poet, Dramatist. Born at Oxford, England the second son of John D’Avenant, a prosperous vintner and proprietor of an inn known as the Crown. Reportedly his god-father was William Shakespeare. He attended All Saints and Lincoln College, Oxford. He left school before obtaining a degree to serve as a page to Frances, Duchess of Richmond […]