Person    | Male  Born 21/12/1873  Died 18/2/1948

Lawrence Chubb

Lawrence Chubb

Sir Lawrence Wensley Chubb was an Anglo-Australian professional Secretary whose work was on environmentalist causes.

Born in Australia, he migrated to England and in 1891 was working as an auctioneer’s clerk and living with an uncle in Southwark. In 1895 Chubb became the first Secretary of the newly formed National Trust. Secretary of the Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society, 1895-1948. Secretary of the National Playing Fields Association (now Fields in Trust), 1928-48.  Knighted in 1930.

Married in 1905. His son was also named Lawrence Wensley Chubb. Died Richmond.

From How Hampstead Heath Was Saved, a story of ‘people power’ by Helen Lawrence: “Another leading member of this circle was Lawrence Chubb, an Australian who came to London as a student in 1887. A keen walker, he was soon drawn into the open spaces movement by Octavia Hill after she heard him speak at a debate. He became the first Secretary of the National Trust from its foundation in 1895, then Secretary of the Commons Preservation Society, where he worked closely with Shaw Lefevre and Robert Hunter, founded the Ramblers’ Association, and played an instrumental role in saving Kenwood. All saw the provision of green open space and fresh air as part of the solution to the problems of the poor, and all had links to the campaign to extend Hampstead Heath.”

From Three Points of the Compass: In 1905 Chubb and J. A. Southern founded the London Federation of Rambling Clubs.

Campaigner Kate criticises Chubb for his role in the passing of the Access to Mountains Act 1939 which she considers to contain "pernicious provisions". "The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, with its imperfections and limited application, is undoubtedly far better". This controversy is covered at Open Spaces Society which closes with: "By the time of the annual report of 1946 Chubb had had the sense to admit that the act was unworkable; fortunately, it never came into operation. The war intervened and the act was repealed by the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949."

Media Storehouse have a photo of Chubb, which is rather silly and does not really help one know what he looked like. It's captioned: "Hartley Country Club ( Sir Lawrence Chubb ) 1935".  Old Tonbridge have a 1934 photo of Chubb but there are 5 men in the photo, only one of which is identified, and it's not Chubb.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Lawrence Chubb

Commemorated ati

Lawrence Chubb shelter - lost plaque

We are guessing that the plaque was fixed to the oblong section of wall that ...

Read More

Other Subjects

National Gardens Scheme

National Gardens Scheme

Opens (mainly private) gardens to the public to raise money for charity. Grew out of a need to provide finances for retired district nurses.

Group, Benefactor, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Well Hall Pleasaunce

Well Hall Pleasaunce

Wellehawe as an area in Eltham was first recorded in 1401. It still contains a Tudor barn built by William Roper, the son-in-law of Sir Thomas More. Another main feature, used to be Well Hall (pict...

Place, Gardens / Agriculture

2 memorials
Bankside Open Spaces Trust

Bankside Open Spaces Trust

Works with local people to develop parks and gardens so they can relax, kick a ball, grow plants or just hang out.

Group, Gardens / Agriculture, Philanthropy

1 memorial
Harold Nicolson

Harold Nicolson

Diplomat and politician. Born as Harold George Nicolson at the British legation, Tehran in what was then Persia. Joined the diplomatic service in 1909 and served in various posts. Entered parliamen...

Person, Gardens / Agriculture, Literature, Politics & Administration, Germany, Iran/Persia, Spain, Turkey

1 memorial
King George's Fields Foundation

King George's Fields Foundation

After the death of King George V the Lord Mayor of London set up a committee to decide on a suitable national memorial. It was decided to erect just one statue and create a number of playing fields...

Group, Gardens / Agriculture, Royalty, Sport / Games

9 memorials