1901

John Kemp Starley

Inventor and industrialist, who sold the first recognizably modern bicycle. Starley went into business with William Sutton, with the intention of producing bicycles that were safe and easy to use. First sold in 1885 under the brand name 'Rover', the bicycle was a rear-wheel-drive, chain-driven cycle with two similar-sized wheels, making it more stable than the previous high wheeler designs.

For comparison see Denis Johnson and his hobby-horse bicycle.

Our picture source, albeit in French, has some lovely images.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
John Kemp Starley

Commemorated ati

John Kemp Starley

This plaque was erected between 2015 and 2018. We think this coincided with t...

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K. Motley

Possible director of C. A. Robinson & Co.

Person, Commerce

1 memorial

Courage brewery - Horselydown Lane

Founded by John Courage at the Anchor Brewhouse site. The earliest existing building dates from 1871 and was largely rebuilt in 1894 - 1895. Reconstructed, restored and refurbished in 1985 - 1989....

Building, Commerce, Animals, Food & Drink

2 memorials

Luigi Manze

Member of the eel, pie and mash shop family.

Person, Commerce, Food & Drink

1 memorial

Bearman's Department Store

Opened by Frank Bearman on the site of a former vicarage. By 1906 he had purchased a nearby furniture shop, and in 1910 opened an arcade to match the larger department stores in London. It claimed ...

Building, Commerce

1 memorial

John Farrell

Worked for the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society. Was on the building committee for the Abbey Wood branch in 1912.

Person, Commerce, Politics & Administration

1 memorial

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Lyon Cawch

Burnt at the stake in Bow (or possibly Stratford) for his Protestant beliefs.

Person, Execution, Religion

1 memorial

Robert Aske

Son of a draper. Worked as a haberdasher; 1643 became a Freeman of the Haberdashers Company; 1666 elected an Alderman of the City of London. He became Master of the Haberdashers' Company. But the r...

Person, Philanthropy, Race Issues

1 memorial

London Bridge roadway

EC3, Lower Thames Street, St Magnus the Martyr

The main route to the Old London Bridge used to be down Fish Street Hill and past this church. As the bridge became busier it was found ...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator

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Emily Davies

Suffragist and promoter of higher education for women. Born Sarah Emily Davies in Southampton. She edited a feminist publication and became active on the London School Board. She was instrumental i...

Person, Education, Gender Issues

1 memorial

N. Kirk

J. Lyons & Co. Ltd. staff member who died in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1

1 memorial