Boyle, Robert b. January 25, 1627 d. December 30, 1691 Scientist. Known as the Father of Chemistry. Born at Lismore Castle, in Munster, Ireland, the fourteenth child of Richard Boyle, Earl of Cork. A prodigy, he learned to speak Latin and French before the age of eight. He attended Eton and spent several years in study abroad, returning home in 1644 when he came into his inheritance. A member of the so called Invisible College, a group of scientists and philosophers, Boyle dedicated himself to scientific inquiry. Boyle contributed work in mechanics...[Read More] (Bio by: Iola) St Martin-in-the-Fields Churchyard, Westminster, Greater London, England
Chippendale, Thomas b. 1718 d. 1779 Cabinetmaker. Born in Otley, Yorkshire, England, the son of Thomas Chippendale I, a Worcester cabinetmaker and wood-carver of note. By 1727 the Chippendales had moved to London where they opened a furniture workshop. At the end of 1749 the younger Chippendale established himself in Conduit Street with partner, upholsterer James Rannie. The following year, he became the first cabinet-maker to publish a book of his designs, ‘Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director.' In 1760 he was elected a member...[Read More] (Bio by: Iola) St Martin-in-the-Fields Churchyard, Westminster, Greater London, England
Churchill, Winston b. 1620 d. 1688 Soldier and Statesman. Born the son of John Churchill and Sarah Winston in Dorset, England. He attended at St. John's College at Oxford but his education was apparently interrupted by the Civil War. A Royalist, he served as a Captain in the King's Horse. In 1643 he married Elizabeth Drake. The couple had twelve children, of whom five survived childhood, including John, who would become the 1st Duke of Marlborough and from whom was descended a 20th century Prime Minister and namesake. Churchill...[Read More] (Bio by: Iola) St Martin-in-the-Fields Churchyard, Westminster, Greater London, England
Gwynne, Eleanor 'Nell' b. February 2, 1650 d. November 14, 1687 Actress, Royal Mistress. Born Eleanor Gwynne, probably in Hereford, Herefordshire, although Coal Yard Alley off Drury Lane in Covent Garden, London also claims to be her birthplace. According to most sources, her father was Thomas Gwyn, a former soldier in the Royalist army, and her mother was Eleanor Smith. By early childhood, her father was gone from her life, and her mother, by then known as Madam Gwyn, ran a bawdy house in Covent Garden. Many youthful professions have been suggested for...[Read More] (Bio by: Iola) St Martin-in-the-Fields Churchyard, Westminster, Greater London, England
Artist. Said to have been the son of Richard Hilliard of Exeter, high sheriff of the city and county. He was apprenticed as a goldsmith and jeweler, and began painting miniatures as a child, he is credited with painting the first known self-portrait at the age of 13. In 1570 he was appointed limner, or miniaturist, and goldsmith to Elizabeth I. In that capacity he was responsible for engraving the Great Seal of England. He visited France, apparently in order to further his art, and is the...[Read More] (Bio by: Mark McManus) St Martin-in-the-Fields Churchyard, Westminster, Greater London, England Plot: unmarked
Sheppard, Jack b. March 4, 1702 d. November 16, 1724 Thief. Folk Figure. Born John Sheppard in Spitalfields, London, the son of a carpenter, his father died when Jack was a child and he spent time in a workhouse. He served an apprenticeship as a carpenter and started his career as a thief almost at the same time. Often working in concert with female accomplices and occasionally his brother Tom, Jack beacme a notorious housebreaker and burglar. He was as renowned for his crimes as he was for many escapes from custody. His repeated arrests and...[Read More] (Bio by: Iola) Cause of death: Hanged St Martin-in-the-Fields Churchyard, Westminster, Greater London, England
b. January 25, 1627 d. December 30, 1691
