Adams, John Couch b. June 5, 1819 d. January 21, 1892 Astronomer. He deduced the existence of the planet Neptune in 1845. Although his calculations were given to the Astronomer Royal, the latter did nothing about them, so a German observer was the first to actually spot the planet in 1846. He refused a knighthood in 1847. (Bio by: David Conway) Ascension Parish Burial Ground, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England
Ashton, Hugh [memorial] d. November 23, 1522 Religous Leader. Archdeacon of York who was a protegee of Margaret Beaumont and like her a supporter of St. John's College. This memorial was built for a chapel he endowed at the College; he is actually buried at York Minster. (Bio by: David Conway) St Johns College, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England Plot: Chapel
Atheling, Alfred b. 1012 d. February 5, 1037 English Royalty. Born the thirteenth and youngest child of Æthelred II 'the Unready', King of England and the third child of his second wife Emma de Normandie, his elder half brother Edmund ‘Ironside' served as a reigning king of England. He and his elder brother Edward ‘the Confessor' were dispossessed of their birthrights, however, by his mother's second marriage, to the Danish contender to the throne, Cnut, and they were brought up in Normandy. In 1036, Alfred and Edward mounted a return to...[Read More] (Bio by: Iola) Ely Cathedral, Ely, Cambridgeshire, England
Bacon, Francis [memorial] b. January 22, 1561 d. April 4, 1626 Phliosopher, essayist and politician. Lord Chancellor of England. Alleged unwarrantably by some to have been the writer of Shakespeare's plays. Notable works include 'On the Advancement of Learning' , an early attempt at an encyclopaedia. Died after catching bronchitis when stuffing a chicken with snow to see whether it would be preserved, thus anticipating frozen food. The Latin inscription on the statue base begins (in translation): "Francis Bacon, first Baron Verulam and Viscount St. Albans...[Read More] (Bio by: David Conway) Trinity College, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England Plot: Chapel (he is buried at the Church of St. Michael, St. Albans, UK)
Bambridge, Elsie b. February 2, 1896 d. May 27, 1976 Philanthropist. Born the second child of Rudyard Kipling and his American wife Caroline Starr Balestier. Her elder sister, Josie, died of pneumonia in 1899 while her younger brother, John, was killed in action in 1915, leaving her as the only surviving child, a role she apparently found difficult to cope with especially since her parents never really ceased mourning the lost children. In October 1924 she married Captain George Bambridge who had served in the Irish Guards, but was at the time a...[Read More] (Bio by: Iola) St Andrew Churchyard, Wimpole, Cambridgeshire, England
Basevi, George b. 1794 d. October 16, 1845 Architect. Born in London, the son of George Basevi. His education included study under Dr. Burney at Greenwich in 1811, and architect and antiquary, Sir John Soane. In 1816 he left home to study classical architecture in Italy and Greece, returning to England in 1819. In 1821 he was appointed surveyor to the Guardian Assurance Company. They were responsible for the construction of two churches of his design; St Thomas's at Stockport and St Mary's at Greenwich, and the development at Belgrave...[Read More] (Bio by: Iola) Cause of death: Fall Ely Cathedral, Ely, Cambridgeshire, England
Beaumont, Joseph b. March 13, 1616 d. November 23, 1699 Poet, Chaplain to King Charles II, and Master of Peterhouse College, Cambridge. A Royalist and High-Church Anglican, Beaumont was among the group of scholars ejected from their positions at Cambridge in 1644 for refusing to accept the "Solemn League and Covenant" demanded by Parliament. Returning to his native village of Hadleigh, he composed Psyche, or Love's Mystery, an allegorical epic that is thought to be the longest poem in the English language. In addition to Psyche, Beaumont wrote a...[Read More] (Bio by: NM) Cause of death: Gout Peterhouse College, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England
Besicovitch, Abram Samuilovitch [memorial] b. January 28, 1901 d. November 2, 1970 Mathematician, of Karaite descent, who carried out research in pure mathematics. The inscription refers to 'his life-long idisyncrasies of speech' ; this is a reference to the Russian accent and usages which he never lost despite his many years in Britain after fleeing Russia. (Bio by: David Conway) Trinity College, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England Plot: Chapel