Person    | Male  Born 28/3/1660  Died 11/6/1727

King George I

Born Hanover. When the last of Queen Anne's 17 children died without issue (no one could accuse her of not trying) there were lots of Catholic potential claimants, but Britain wanted a Protestant heir. Looking further afield, the Act of Settlement named some descendants of James I, Sophia and her son George, who ascended the throne in 1714, unable to speak English.

The sad story of his wife, Sophia Dorothea of Celle, is told in the 1948 film 'Saraband for Dead Lovers'. Mother of the future George II, she never came to Britain, having been effectively imprisioned in Castle of Ahlden in Saxony, from 1695 till her death in 1726.

Invested in and was governor of the South Sea company whose trade was slavery.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
King George I

Commemorated ati

Buck Hill bastion

This is really an information board rather than a plaque and has a number of ...

Read More

King George I statue, WC1

The spire is an astonishing sight, one of our London favourites. It is a tall...

Read More

Monarchs - board in Wine Office Court

When they add Charles III we wonder if they will remember to also increment t...

Read More

Monarchs - board on Fleet Street

This board reads as if the pub has been rebuilt in each of the monarchs' reig...

Read More

Show all 6

Other Subjects

Sir Otto Beit

Sir Otto Beit

Financier, philanthropist, and art connoisseur.  Born Berlin.  Younger brother to Alfred and made his fortune the same way: mining diamonds.  Came to London in 1896 and took British citizenship.  G...

Person, Industry, Philanthropy, Race Issues, Germany

1 memorial
East India Company

East India Company

Formed as a trading company but went on to effectively rule India, on behalf of the British. Was involved in the slave trade.

Group, Commerce, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Indian Sub-continent

4 memorials
Frank Gilbert Crichlow

Frank Gilbert Crichlow

Human rights campaigner, community organiser and restauranteur.  Born Trinidad. Came to England in June 1953.  Founded Mangrove Restaurant.  Co-founded Mangrove Steel Band and Mangrove Community As...

Person, Community / Clubs, Food & Drink, Race Issues, Social Welfare, Caribbean Islands

1 memorial
Newman Hall

Newman Hall

Non-conformist minister and hymn writer. Born Maidstone, Kent as Christopher Newman Hall. 1854 became minister of Surrey Chapel. Promoted the abolition of slavery and in 1867 visited North America,...

Person, Music / songs, Race Issues, Religion

2 memorials
George Ryan

George Ryan

Born Mon{t}serrat. Appears to have been 'pressed' into service in April 1803 in Deptford. Served as an Ordinary Seaman on HMS Victory 11 May 1803 - 15 January 1806 and thus was at the Battle of Tra...

Person, Armed Forces, Race Issues, Africa

1 memorial