Person    | Male  Born 10/2/1796  Died 13/4/1855

Sir Henry De la Beche

Categories: Race Issues, Science

Born Welbeck Street. An unusual childhood: his father changed their name from Beach to create a fictional connection with the medieval Barons De la Beche of Aldworth. Inheriting a slave plantation he took the family to Jamaica in 1800 but died the next year. Henry and his mother were shipwrecked on their return to England. Henry entered a military college but was thrown out for encouraging revolt amongst the cadets.
Geologist. Had a long public and furious debate with Murchison concerning fossils in Devon, in which Murchison called him a "dirty dog". Founder of the British Geological Survey.
Died London.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Sir Henry De la Beche

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Other Subjects

Black Plaque Project

Black Plaque Project

An extension of the Nubian Jak Community Trust plaque scheme. It recognises black people / people of colour who were prominent in British history. The plaques are temporary, but it is planned to co...

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2 memorials
George Hibbert

George Hibbert

Merchant and politician. Born in Manchester. Along with Robert Milligan, he was the driving force behind the creation of the West India Docks. MP for Seaford from 1806 to 1812. Helped found the Roy...

Person, Commerce, Politics & Administration, Race Issues

1 memorial
Olive Morris

Olive Morris

Activist and community leader. Born in St Catherine, Jamaica, and moved to Britain at the age of nine. She was a founding member of the Organisation of Women of African and Asian Descent (OWAAD) in...

Person, Gender Issues, Race Issues, Social Welfare, Caribbean Islands

2 memorials
Cy Grant

Cy Grant

Actor, musician, writer and poet. Born Cyril Ewart Lionel Grant in Beterverwagting, British Guiana (modern day Guyana). He served in the Royal Air Force during WW2, and in Britain, he qualified as ...

Person, Armed Forces, Law, Music / songs, Race Issues, TV & Radio, South America

1 memorial
King William IV, Duke of Clarence

King William IV, Duke of Clarence

The Duke of Clarence became King William IV (The Sailor King), reigning 1830 to 1837. Had a long live-in affair with the actress Mrs Jordan which produced 10 children, all given the surname FitzCla...

Person, Race Issues, Royalty

8 memorials