Sir Isaac Newton 1642 - 1727

The greatest genius of his age, and perhaps of any age. Built the reflecting telescope. Discovered the laws of gravity and motion.

Joseph Priestley 1733 - 1804

Important English scientist he discovered oxygen, electricity, chemistry. Was elected to the Royal Society for his work on Electricity and his work in chemistry. He was also a Doctor of Law. Above all, he was an outstanding Unitarian minister and reformer working to abolish slavery.

Charles Dickens 1812 - 1870

Writer of many books with intriguing stories. His powerful pen was used mainly to campaign for love and kindness. A fantastic amount of good was done by his social comment on prisons, on factories, on child labour. And legal reforms on mental illness.

Elizabeth Gaskell 1810 - 1865

Another great novelist whose writings campaigned for better conditions for the poor. She and her husband, Rev William Gaskell, worked to relieve the poverty of working people.

James Martineau 1805 - 1900

He was one of the most outstanding philosophers and theologians of the nineteenth century. Gladstone acclaimed him as "the greatest of living thinkers" .

Adrian Boult 1889 - 1983

Great conductor and musician, founded the B.B.C. Symphony orchestra was conductor of the London Philharmonic and City of Birmingham orchestras.

Theophilus Lindsey 1723 - 1808

One of the most important Unitarians. His Essex Street Chapel was the first church specially started for Unitarian worship. Essex Hall now stands on place where this first chapel was built.

John Pounds 1766 - 1839

An important influence on English Education. Founder of the Ragged Schools A man who shared what little he had with his neighbours and taught hundreds of children, for the love of it.

Josiah Wedgwood 1730 - 1795

Without doubt the most important person in English pottery, a brilliant artist and craftsman who made many scientific developments in the craft of pottery.

James Wood 1672 - 1759

James Wood's ministry of Chowbent chapel lasted a remarkable 60 years and saw the transfer of the congregation from the old to the new chapel. James Wood was a loyal supporter of the House of Hanover. In 1715 he marched a large number of men of his congregation to Walton, near Preston. Armed with basic weapons such as farm implements, Wood and his 'army' successfully prevented the rebel Jacobites from crossing the River Ribble. For his courageous action, Wood was awarded a pension and the honorary title of 'General' to add to that of Reverend.


Christopher Reeve 1952 - 2004

- film actor best known for playing "Superman" and for his struggle against paralysis


Sir Tim Berners-Lee 1955 -

- English computer scientist and MIT professor credited with inventing the World Wide Web.