In 1819, made and sold Britain's first bicycle in its hobby-horse form. As a coachmaker Johnson was able to make significant improvements to the two-wheel velocipede, as invented by von Drais. He obtained a patent for his "pedestrian curricle", manufactured them and opened a school teaching people how to ride them. They became a bit of a craze with even the Prince Regent riding them.
Died at home and was buried at St Martin's Chapel, Camden Town.
See also John Kemp Starley,
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Denis Johnson
City of Westminster Denis Johnson (c.1760 - 1833) from his workshop on this ...
Textile manufacturer and philanthropist. His family fled from France after the Nazi occupation and he was naturalised as a British subject on 1 November 1948. In 1986 he merged his Nottingham Manuf...
Publishers at 65 Cornhill (the picture) until 1868. Also at 15 Waterloo Place. Their first big success was Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. They also published: Thackeray, Darwin, Ruskin, Browning...
Chairman of the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society in 1900.
A self-made man, company founder, merchant, philanthropist and yachtsman. Born as Thomas Johnstone Lipton in Glasgow to Irish parents who has a small provisions shop. He opened his own shop and th...
Person, Commerce, Food & Drink, Industry, Seriously Famous, Scotland
Athlete. Born Douglas Alastair Gordon Pirie at 123 Beckett Street, Leeds. BBC sports personality of the year in 1955, when he out-ran the triple gold medallist Emil Zatopek. He broke five world rec...
Political and social reformer, politician, peace activist, and anti-slavery campaigner he became one of the most successful newspaper proprietors of his time. Born in a small Cornish village and ed...
Person, Journalism / Publishing, Peace, Philanthropy, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Social Welfare
Deirdre Margaret Napier was the youngest of the three children of Major William Napier (1893-1945) and Katherine Margaret Napier née Keightley (1897-1985). Her birth was registered in the 3rd quart...
{Left most double plaque - top:} LCC Lord Palmerston, 1784 - 1865, statesman, lived here. {Lower:} Tablet fixed - 1907 Premises rebuilt ...
Born Westminster. Earl of Chatham and Prime Minister. Father of William Pitt the Younger. Died Hayes, Kent.
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