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
Commemorated ati
Other Subjects
James Stephen
Anti-slavery campaigner. Born Dorset. Trained in law and worked for a time in the Carribean where he saw the cruelty to slaves and became an abolitionist. The death of his first wife deepened hi...
Person, Law, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Religion, Caribbean Islands
William Beckford, Alderman
Lord Mayor of London 1762 and 1769. Born Jamaica. Inherited a fortune from the family slave-based business. Lived at 22 Soho Square (the house has been demolished) from 1751 until his death while t...
Person, Lord Mayor, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Jamaica
Lord Holland, Henry Richard Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron Holland
Whig politician. Grandson of the first Baron, and nephew of Charles James Fox. Born Wiltshire and orphaned by the age of 5. Owned 401 slaves. Express Informer provides "‘By the unexpected death of...
Priscilla Wakefield
Born Priscilla Bell in Tottenham. Quaker philanthropist and author of feminist economics, scientific subjects, travel, children's non-fiction. Best known book was 'The Juvenile Travellers' which ha...
Person, Children, Gender Issues, Race Issues, Social Welfare
Equiano Society
From their website: "The Equiano Society was founded by Arthur Torrington and Samuel B. King in London in November 1996. Its main objective is to publicise and celebrate the life and work of Olauda...
Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them