Happy Birthday to...

...an impressively long list of Britons, some of whom may be familiar to you, but probably not too many!  There was one strange little coincidence I noticed, but more about below.


1648 - Sir Charles Duncombe
     An English banker and Member of Parliament.  He was expelled from the House of Commons and arrested for tax fraud, but was later acquitted.  He was later knighted, and re-elected to the Commons, and also served as Lord Mayor of London.

1811 - John Bright
     A British Statesman and orator, Bright held the post of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, a ministerial position in the government.

1896 - Sir Oswald Mosley
     One of the most notorious of all 20th Century British Politicians, Mosley was best known as the founder of the British Union of Fascists.  Like John Bright (above), Mosley shared not only the same birthday, but also the post of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster!

1914 - Eddie Chapman
     Another famed for his notoriety, this time as a spy, Chapman worked for the Germans during the Second World War.

1929 - Peter Boizot MBE
     Entrepreneur and philanthropist, Boizot is best known as founder and President of the famed British restaurant, Pizza Express.

1939 - Michael Billington OBE
     Author and arts critic, Billington has been Drama Critic for the Guardian newspaper since 1971.

1942 - Willie Carson OBE
     Scottish jockey and television personality.  Five-time champion jockey, Carson is the fourth most successful British jockey in history.  Some of his major wins include the Derby (x4), Oaks (x4), 2,000 Guineas (x4), Ascot Gold Cup (x3), St. Leger (x3), and 1,000 Guineas (x2),

1950 - David Wilson-Johnson
     Northampton-born baritone who is known for his performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony at the 2001 (post 9/11) Last Night of the Proms at London's Royal Albert Hall.

1953 - Griff Rhys Jones
     Welsh comedian, actor and writer.  Known particularly for his work with comedic partner Mel Smith, Rhys Jones has appeared in many television series, including Not the Nine O'Clock News, Alas Smith and Jones, and The Young Ones.

1961 - Frank Bruno MBE
     English boxer and television personality.  Bruno won the WBC Heavyweight title in 1995, before losing it to Mike Tyson.  Known for his punching power, 38 of Bruno's victories came from knockouts.

1973 - Christian Horner OBE
     Former racing car driver, Horner is now the team principal for the Infiniti Red Bull Racing Formula One Team.

1974 - Paul Scholes
     The most decorated English footballer of all time, Scholes spent his entire career with Manchester United.  He is now co-owner of Salford City F.C.