Rowland Hill calculated that a lower, flatter rate of postage would not only make the public better off and better read, but increase the Revenue.

Charles Darwin was on hand in 1836 to witness the catastrophic effects of a series of earthquakes in Chile.

The Russian Consul in New York issued a stern rebuke to those trying to break Britain’s ban on slave-trading by sailing under his nation’s colours.

Mr Easy believes he has missed out on fatherhood, and having nothing else to do, turns to political campaigning.

Sixteen-year-old John Wesley Hackworth brought a locomotive over to St Petersburg, and Russia’s railway revolution was ready for the off.