Remarkable People Stories Island
Throughout the history of the Isle of Wight there have been fascinating and inspiring people who’ve had a remarkable impact on the Island – many of them unknown to those of us who live or visit here.
Learn more about these Hidden Heroes as we delve into the past to bring them to life. Find out why we should be proud of them and the many more who will be nominated by experts over the coming months.
Rev William Fox
The Reverend William D Fox was an influential amateur fossil hunter and collector, who worked as a curate at Brighstone, Isle of Wight, in the late 19th Century.
King Arwald
King Arwald was the last Jutish pagan king who ruled the Isle of Wight in the 7th century and died defending it from a merciless Anglo-Saxon barbarian, making it the last place to be converted to Christianity in England.
Isabella de Fortibus
Isabella de Fortibus was the last ever independent Lord of the Isle of Wight, known as ‘The Lady of the Isle’, after inheriting it when she was in her mid twenties, and becoming the richest non-royal heiress in England.
Julia Margaret Cameron
Take a short walk north from the stunning Freshwater Bay and in no time at all you’ll arrive at the former home of pioneering female Victorian photographer, Julia Margaret Cameron.
Joe Carstairs
‘Joe’ Carstairs was known as the ‘fastest woman on the water’ in the 1920s. She was an openly gay, female powerboat racer who spent several years on the Isle of Wight.
John Ackroyd
One of the designers of the first electric car was also involved in designing and building Thrust 2, which held the land speed record from 1983 to 1997.
Andy Stanford-Clark
Master Inventor and Chief Technology Officer for IBM UK, Andy Stanford-Clark was one of the co-inventors of MQTT, the communication protocol that drives Facebook Messenger.
Ferguson’s Gang
Newtown Old Town Hall would likely not be still be standing today were it not for the young women of the Ferguson’s Gang.
Rev. Edgar Greenshield 1877-1938
He devoted his life to missionary work and made five extensive journeys to the Arctic.
Blanche Coules Thornycroft 1873-1951
This engineer, mathematician and naval architect was a great role model for girls on the Isle of Wight.
James Dore 1854-1925
James Dore’s photographs are a vivid record of Island life at the turn of the twentieth century.
Rev. Charles Paterson
Charles Paterson was a keen photographer and a gifted amateur painter. Remarkably, he also kept a log of the work that might otherwise have gone largely unnoticed.
Lawrence Holofcener 1926-2017
Lawrence was a truly inspirational character who lived on the Isle of Wight in his later years.
Jacquetta Hawkes (1910-1996)
Campaigner for Nuclear Disarmament and celebrated archaeologist.
Percy Goddard Stone FSA, FRIBA, 1856-1934
A notable architect and historian of the Isle of Wight.
Professor John Milne 1850-1913
Professor John Milne was the ‘father of earthquake science’.
Tom Sopwith 1888-1989
Powerboat racing addict, Tom Sopwith was also an ardent sailor and pioneering plane and boatbuilder.
Julia Isabella Levina Bennet, Lady Gordon (1775–1867)
Accomplished Isle of Wight artist
Uffa Fox 1898-1972
Uffa Fox dominated the sailing world as designer, builder and sailor
Edward Mourier Boxer 1822-1898
He invented the Boxer Rockets and helped saved the lives of those at sea.
Toné Milne
The geologist wife of celebrated Seismologist, John Milne, was an active supporter of husband’s research.
John Dennett 1780-1852
Life-saving ‘Rocket Man’ engineer and prolific Isle of Wight inventor
Henry Knight 1820-1895
Henry Knight sold his tin opener patent to Crosse and Blackwell who brought it into common use.
Firefighters Colin Weeks and Herbert Dewey
Damon Corr nominates firefighters, Colin Weeks and Herbert Dewey, as Isle of Wight Hidden Heroes.
Dr Arthur Hill Hassall 1817-1894
Richard Downing from Ventnor nominates Dr Arthur Hill Hassall as his Hidden Hero
Christabella Harriet Millgate (1899-1974)
Christabella Millgate she took on the role of Mayoress of Newport in 1911 at the age of twelve.
Barry Price
Trina Price nominates Barry Price, extraordinary fundraiser, collectors and all round general ‘good egg’!
Michael Sydenham 1920-1995
Liz Sydenham nomimates Michael Sydenham, a hardworking and talented engineer.
Sir Christopher Cockerell CBE RDI FRS 1910-1999
This talented and determined engineer invented the trailblazing Hovercraft.
The Harris glass-making dynasty
Ron Wheeler nominates the Harris family – innovative and prolific Studio Glass makers who put the Island and country on the world map.
Anne Preston
Nominated by her daughter, Sharon Dearden, the founder of the Island Disabled Action Group –
Anne Preston – was never recognised for her work.
Admiral Dudley Pound 1877-1943
Ashley Webb nominates Admiral Dudley Pound of Ventnor who went on to become Admiral of the Fleet.
St Simon of Atherfield (d. 1211)
Alan Phillips of Shorwell nominates St Simon of Atherfield, who became a martyr after being murdered by his wife in 1211.
John Vereker (Lord Gort) 1886-1946
Ashley Webb nominates senior British Army officer, Lord Gort.
Martin and Rob Drake-Knight
The founders of eco fashion company Rapanui, Martin and Rob Drake-Knight, are nominated as Hidden Heroes by Chris Cowley.
Ian Boyd
Claire Hector nominates “brain-poppingly knowledgable ecologist”, Ian Boyd.
John Cattle
Andrew Nordbruch nominates Isle of Wight skateboarding legend, John Cattle.
Maria Bell
Nominated by Patrick McConnell, Isle of Wight food stylist and photographer, Maria Bell, is hailed for being a great ambassador for the Island in London.
Paul Armfield
Jon Thorne nominates Paul Armfield, musician, singer, songwriter, poet and master of programming and more at Quay Arts.
Arthur Williams 1884-1961
Arthur Williams – the self-proclaimed mayor of Gatcombe – was always a colourful character.
Captain Levett Landon Boscawen Ibbetson (1799-1869)
Trevor Price from Dinosaur Isle Museum nominates the English explorer, soldier, geologist and inventor, Captain Ibbetson.
John Wilkes (1727-1797)
Local author, Jan Toms, nominates, John Wilkes, politician, rebel, and resident of Sandown.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892)
Nominated by Farringford Estate is Victorian poet, Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
