MICHAEL FOOT. Born in Plymouth, Devon. Born 1913 - English labour politician and journalist. Educated at Oxford. Editor and political columnist before becoming MP for Ebbw Vale (1960-83). Replaced James Callaghan as leader of the Labour Party in 1980. Skilled in parliamentary debate but heavy defeat to Margaret Thatcher in 1983 led to his replacement by Neil Kinnock. Supporter of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Books include a biography of Aneurin Bevan (1962,1973) and H G Wells (1995). PETER COOK. Born in Torquay, Devon. Born 1937. Died 1995 - English comedian and actor. Co-wrote and performed in the revue Beyond the Fringe (1960) and its sequel. Worked with Dudley Moore in the television programme Not Only….But Also (1965-71). Film appearances included The Wrong Box (1966), The Secret Policeman’s Ball (1979) and The Princess Bride (1987). Co-founder of the magazine Private Eye and The Establishment club in London. R.S.HAWKER. Born in Stoke Dameral, Plymouth, Devon Born 1803. Died 1875 - English poet. Educated at Pembroke College, Oxford. Won the Newdigate Prize for poetry in 1827. Poetry includes Tendrils (1821), Reeds Shaken with the Wind (1843) and The Quest of the Sangraal (1864). Best known ballad is The Song of the Western Men. Converted to the Roman Catholic Church on his deathbed. REDVERS BULLER. Born in Crediton, Devon.Born 1839. Died 1908 - English general. Won the Victoria Cross for rescuing fellow soldiers during the Zulu War (1879). Fought in First and Second Boer Wars, raised the siege of Ladysmith (1900). RICHARD BURTON. Born in Torquay, Devon. Born 1821. Died 1890 - Trieste - English explorer, linguist and diplomat. Largely self-educated, won a place at Oxford. Spoke twenty-nine European, Asian, and African languages. Served in India under Sir Charles Napier. Known for his travels and explorations within Asia and Africa including travelling in disguise to Mecca. Explored the east coast of Africa and led an expedition which discovered Lake Tanganyika. Wrote numerous books including First Footsteps in East Africa (1851) and a translation of The Arabian Nights (1885-88). Knighted in 1886.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 01:16:45 +0000
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