Significant Individuals: CORNWALL

H A R E G I O N A L R E S O U R C E S

significant individuals: CORNWALL

The individuals listed here have been collated by members and affiliates of the Historical Association Primary Committee for use as a starting point to think about framing a local study around an individual and/or an important site. The list represents the collated research of the author and is by no means an exhaustive list. In their research, every effort has been made for representation and balance, but as is the nature of significance, different people will know of different people locally who they feel are significant to them. If you think there is someone that should be included on the list for your local area – let us know! ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

T I M L O M A S F H A HONORARY SECRETARY OF THE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION PRIMARY COMMITTEE HA QUALITY MARK ASSESSOR

Brought up in Cornwall where he had and continues to have a passionate interest in its history, he now lives in Devon after working in different parts of the British Isles. Since returning to the West Country he has become involved locally being a trustee, programme secretary and deputy chair of the Devon History Society. His national involvement in local history includes trusteeship of the British Association of Local History.

SIGNIFICANT PERSON LOCATION BIO SUMMARY & SUGGESTED ENQUIRY QUESTIONS HISTORICAL PERIOD USEFUL LINKS

DAPHNE DU MAURIER Menabilly Although born in London she is heavily associated with 20th Century Fowey Visitor Cornwall, where she lived most of her life. She was one of the Guide Author and Playwright foremost storytellers of the twentieth century. Many of her works have become Hollywood legends including Jamaica Inn, Rebecca, Frenchman’s Creek, My Cousin Rachel - all based on her novels as well as short stories such as The Birds and Don’t Look Now.

How important do you think Du Maurier was as a 20th century author? What does Cornwall owe to Du Maurier? How important do you think she was compared to xxx (eg. Agatha Christie – see Devonshire and Oxfordshire). KS1 significant people - compare with another author KS2 – a local personality with global impact KS2 post 1066 20th century culture Cross curricular with English and literacy

DONALD HEALEY Perranporth Famous as a pioneer in rally driving and motor racing. His 20th Century Wikipedia career saw him responsible for Triumph cars before setting up Car Designer and Rally Driver his own company after World War II specialising on expensive high-quality cars. A string of well-known cars followed often in conjunction with other manufacturers such as the Austen Healey 100, the Austen Healey Sprite and the Jensen-Healey.

Do you think Donald Healey deserves a place in history books? What do you think is greatest achievement? Do you think he regarded himself as successful or a failure? How should he be commemorated? KS1 significant people - compare with another engineer KS2 – a local individual with wider impact KS2 development study – speed, sport Cross curricular with technology SIGNIFICANT PERSON LOCATION BIO SUMMARY & SUGGESTED ENQUIRY QUESTIONS HISTORICAL PERIOD USEFUL LINKS

William bickford Camborne A major contributor to the mining industry by inventing Early 19th Century Wikipedia Inventor the safety fuse which enabled gunpowder to be used more safely in mines. Early fuses were very unreliable. With this invention the time of an explosion could be accurately calculated. Although miners were reluctant to use it at first, they soon realised its benefits and the design is still basically in use today all over the world.

Why did such a simple invention have such a big impact? What were mining conditions like before and after his invention? How successful was his business before and after his lifetime? How has his invention been improved today? What evidence remains today of his business? KS1 significant people – compare with another inventor KS2 local study – local development with global impact KS2 development study – health & safety through time KS2 post 1066 - 19th century Britain

CAPTAIN WILLIAM St Tudy Made famous as the hapless captain of the Bounty when Late 19th and Cornwall Guide BLIGH a mutiny led by Fletcher Christian saw him and a crew of Early 20th 16 put to sail in a small boat. The Mutiny took place in Centuries Naval Officer April 1789 in the South Pacific Ocean. Bligh survived a voyage of 4000 miles to land in modern Indonesia surviving on 40 grams of bread a day. There have been at least 5 major films of the Mutiny of the Bounty.

How has Captain Bligh been depicted at the time and later? How fairly do you think he has been represented? Why were his achievements so remarkable? What challenges did he face on his voyages? KS1 significant people – compare with another explorer KS2 development study – voyagers KS2 post 1066 18th and 19th century Britain Cross curricular with geography

SIGNIFICANT PERSON LOCATION BIO SUMMARY & SUGGESTED ENQUIRY QUESTIONS HISTORICAL PERIOD USEFUL LINKS

JOSEPH EMIDY Truro Born in 1775 in Guinea in Africa, he was sold into slavery as Late 18th and Cornwall Live a child. Press ganged during the Napoleonic War he Early 19th Musician became a ship’s fiddler before being abandoned in Centuries Falmouth where he earned his living as a violinist and a teacher. As a member of the Truro Philharmonic he became one of Cornwall’s foremost musicians composing works. He was Britain’s first composer of the African Diaspora.

Why is Emidy so little known even locally? Why can his achievements be regarded as remarkable? How do you think different people regarded him at the time? KS1 significant black people - compare with another KS2 a local individual in a wider global context KS2 development study – migration, the black presence in Britain Diversity

SIR HUMPHRY Penzance Internationally famous, his talents extended over many Late 18th and Wikipedia DAVY fields. He invented electrochemistry and identified a Early 19th number of new chemicals such as sodium, barium, Centuries Chemist and Inventor strontium, magnesium, boron and potassium. He named chlorine and recognised the value of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) as an anaesthetic. He created the first incandescent light by passing a spark through platinum. Many miners were also indebted to his Davy (Miners’ Safety Lamp) which solved the problem of methane explosions.

What do you think were Davy’s greatest achievements? Why do you think he has been so commemorated in Penzance even though he spent much of his life away? How popular do you think Davy was amongst different groups of people? Why do you think he was often more appreciated after his life than during it? KS1 significant people – compare with another inventor KS2 local study – a significant individual with a wider impact KS2 development study - key inventions KS2 post 1066 industrialisation C i l i h i SIGNIFICANT PERSON LOCATION BIO SUMMARY & SUGGESTED ENQUIRY QUESTIONS HISTORICAL PERIOD USEFUL LINKS

GOLDSWORTHY Padstow & A scientist, surgeon and inventor, his accomplishments 19th Century Cornwall GURNEY Bude included a steam road carriage and an oxy-hydrogen blowpipe. Forever Explorer His horseless carriages had technical merit but he failed to market them successfully. One of his carriages travelled London to Bath and back at an average speed of 14 mph. His later inventions included the Bude Light (the limelight used in theatres). His inventions also helped clean sewers, so helping the elimination of cholera.

What were Gurney’s greatest achievements? Considering he did so much, why did he not make a fortune? How could he have become better known? What evidence is that some of his inventions had a long-lasting effect? KS1 significant people - compare with another inventor KS2 – a local personality with wider impact KS2 development study – industrialisation, transport

DAME BARBARA St Ives Originally from Yorkshire, Hepworth became associated with 20th Century The Hepworth HEPWORTH the colony of artists in St Ives and gained an international Wakefield Artist and Sculptor reputation. She was one of the few celebrated female artists and particularly famed for her modernist sculptures. She was fascinated by natural forms and textures. By the 1930s her work was entirely abstract. She sculpted in wood, stone and bronze. Her work often showed smooth exteriors and complex interiors.

Why was Barbara Hepworth so unusual? What do you think she wanted to achieve and do you think she succeeded? Why do you think St Ives was and remains such an important place for artists? KS1 significant individual - compare with another artist KS2 – a local individual with wider impact KS2 post 1066 - 20th century culture Cross curricular with Art

SIGNIFICANT PERSON LOCATION BIO SUMMARY & SUGGESTED ENQUIRY QUESTIONS HISTORICAL PERIOD USEFUL LINKS

RICHARD LANDER Truro A prominent explorer who survived hardships on his travels in Early 19th Century Cornwall West Africa. With his brother John they located the source and Guide Explorer course of the Niger river sailing hundreds of miles in a canoe. He was awarded the first medal of the Royal Geographical Society. His third expedition led to his death aged only 29 in 1834.

In what ways was Richard Lander both fortunate and unfortunate? Do you think the statue should have been to both Richard and John Lander? In what way was his achievement remarkable? Does he deserve to have been given the first medal of the Royal Geographical Society? KS1 significant individual - compare with another explorer KS2 local individual in a wider global context KS2 post 1066 – exploration KS2 development study – exploration, voyages Cross curricular with Geography

EMILY HOBHOUSE St Ive/ A welfare campaigner and pacifist from a prominent family of Late 19th and Spartacus Liskeard peace activists and social reformers. She went to America to Early 20th Educational Campaigner look after the welfare of emigrant Cornish miners. When the Centuries Boer War broke out in South Africa in 1899 she focused on the dreadful conditions in the British Concentration Camps. Well- known in South Africa where she helped set up industries and improved education for women and girls.

What would you most admire Emily Hobhouse for? Why do you think she had enemies as well as admirers? Why do you think she is so little known in this country? KS1 significant individuals – compare with another social reformer and prominent woman KS2 – local individual in a global context KS2 development study – women social reformers

SIGNIFICANT PERSON LOCATION BIO SUMMARY & SUGGESTED ENQUIRY QUESTIONS HISTORICAL PERIOD USEFUL LINKS

RICHARD LOWER St Tudy One of the unsung medical pioneers, he was a pioneer of 18th Century Cornwall Guide experimental physiology. He researched the heart and traced Physician the circulation of the blood as it passed through the lungs. He showed it was possible for blood to be transfused from animal to animal and from animal to human. He also experimented with brain illness. Lower was also able to prove that catarrh was not a seepage of fluid from the brain to the nose.

In what ways does Richard Lower deserve to be better known? Why do you think his achievements may not have been appreciated? In what ways did he contribute to today’s medical understanding? KS1 significant individual – compare with another medical pioneer KS2 local individual with wider significance KS2 development study – medicine and health

WILLIAM MURDOCk/ Redruth Originally from Scotland, his main claim to fame rests with his Late 18th and Wikipedia MURDOCH steam engine developments including the sun and planet gear Early 19th and the D-slide valve. He worked on one of the first paddle Centuries Engineer and Inventor steamers to cross the Channel, built a prototype steam locomotive, and his steam carriage is the first such working under its own power in Great Britain. His development of gas lighting was used domestically and in factories and to light towns.

Of his many achievements what do you think was the greatest in the short and longer term? Where do you think his achievements should be most celebrated – Scotland, Birmingham or Cornwall? KS1 significant individual – compare with another inventor/engineer KS2 local individual with wider context KS2 development study – communications, industrial change KS2 post 1066 – 19th century

SIGNIFICANT PERSON LOCATION BIO SUMMARY & SUGGESTED ENQUIRY QUESTIONS HISTORICAL PERIOD USEFUL LINKS

RICK RESCORLA Hayle Famous for his death on 9/11. His early career was in the army 20th and 21st Washington and the police before becoming a US Commissioned Officer Centuries Examiner Soldier and Police serving with distinction in Vietnam. After his soldiering, he Officer taught criminal justice at a university but left this to become director of security for Morgan Stanley financial services at the World Trade Centre in New York. He died in the 2001 attack whilst leading countless evacuees from the South Tower.

Should Rescorla only be recognised for his actions at the Twin Towers in New York? Does he deserve to be commemorated in Cornwall even though he spent most of his life in the USA? Was he one brave person amongst many or was he especially brave? What makes someone brave? KS1 significant individual – compare with another associated with bravery KS2 local individual with wider global context Cross curricular with Citizenship Could use in Assembly

RICHARD TREVITHICK Camborne Trevithick was a pioneer of steam powered transport producing Late 18th and National Trust the first high pressure steam engine, the world’s first full scale Early 19th Inventor and Mining working steam locomotive and probably the first railway Centuries Engineer journey. His “Puffing Devil” was probably the world’s first steam transportation. His high-pressure steam was also used for stone crushing, forge hammers and mining. His engines powered the world’s first steam dredger and he worked on improving ships such as floating docks, iron ships and iron buoys.

Does he deserve to be regarded by many as the “greatest Cornishman”? In what ways do you think the world might be different today without his contribution? In what ways might Trevithick have achieved even more? What legacy does he have in Cornwall? KS1 significant individual – compare with another scientist/engineer KS2 local individual with global context KS2 post 1066 – 19th century KS2 development study – transport, communication Cross curricular with Design/Technology