Top 10 - Which historical Suffolk figures would you like to have dinner with?
Horatio, Admiral Lord Nelson - He bought a house here (Roundwood) and installed his wife in it. It is believed he stayed in the town for one night only when he attended the property auction - by Lemuel Francis Abbott - Credit: Archant
Today feature writer and columnist Lynne Mortimer continues our top 10 series by listing the histrocial figures from Suffolk’s past that she would like to have dinner with.
Charles Dickens - He only visited Ipswich in his capacity as a journalist during an election. He stayed at The Great White Horse. He didn’t like it.
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson - A feminist and the first Englishwoman to qualify as a doctor, she was later Mayor of Aldeburgh.
John Constable - Christchurch Mansion exhibits paintings by this 19th century landscape master. Don’t mention JMW Turner
Benjamin Britten - Would probably need to hire in a piano for an after-dinner recital
Charlie Chaplin - There is no record that the world famous film actor appeared at Ipswich Hippodrome but he might well have been part of the Fred Karno company when it came to the town. He certainly had strong connections with the area.
Margaret Catchpole - She was working as a servant at the Manor House on St Margaret’s Green when she various houses before being convicted of stealing a horse and later escaping from Ipswich Gaol. Following her capture she was transported to Australia where she lived a respectable life.
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George Lansbury - The leading early 20th century Labour politician was born in Suffolk. A social reformer who promoted social justice, women’s rights and world disarmament, he was the grandfather of actress Angela Lansbury
Horatio, Admiral Lord Nelson - He bought a house here (Roundwood) and installed his wife in it. It is believed he stayed in the town for one night only when he attended the property auction.
Thomas Wolsey - Ipswich born, Wolsey was Lord Chancellor to Henry VIII. Probably a good idea to serve him venison
Geoffrey Chaucer - The writer’s family lived on the site where the H&M store now stands. The Pilgrim’s Progress is the work for which Chaucer is best known.
