A gentleman travelling home from London by train
reached his destination carrying more than he set out with.
byRichard Pike1884
Thomas Medwin
Byron Swims the Hellespont
Byron felt compelled to set the record straight after it was alleged
that he had swum the Hellespont the easy way.
byThomas Medwin1788-1869
Discovery and Invention
A Rush to Judgment
As a young man, surveyor Thomas Telford was a red-hot political activist
who yearned for revolution, but admittedly he had read just one book on the matter.
bySamuel Smiles1812-1904
Music and Musicians
Kelly’s Hero
While on tour in Austria, Irish tenor Michael Kelly was introduced
to Mozart, and discovered a man of many talents and much kindness.
byMichael Kelly1762-1826
Discovery and Invention
A False Economy
Thomas Telford told the parish council of St Chad’s
Church in Shrewsbury that their leaky roof was the last thing they should worry about.
bySamuel Smiles1812-1904
Biographical Extracts
The Crimes of Mr Pitt
William Pitt was a rising star of British politics in 1741, so much
so that Horace Walpole MP felt he needed his wings clipped — an operation fraught with peril.