Over the centuries Leicestershire has had many heroes - some of them famous at home and abroad, others only known within their own county.
This book pays homage to both kinds of heroes. Who, for instance has not heard of Johnnie Johnson, the wartime Spitfire ace; Gary Lineker, outstanding footballer and popular broadcaster; Richard Attenborough, actor and director; his brother David, naturalist and television film-maker; Jenny Pitman, racehorse trainer turned bestselling novelist; Thomas Cook, pioneer of the travel industry; Lady Jane Grey, queen for nine days; and Martin Johnson, captain of the Leicester Tigers and England's victorious World Cup rugby team?
Their stories, together with those of George Fox, founder of the Quaker movement; Alec Jeffreys, Inventor of DNA fingerprinting; Philip Bent, posthumously commended for his bravery in World War I; Bob Miller, Leicester firefighter; Eliane Plewman, courageous SOE agent in wartime France and many more, so on to make up a truly magnificent record of Leicestershire's heroes and heroines. They come from all walks of life and from different eras, but they all have one thing in common, their lives are an inspiration to others.
Contents:
Introduction
1. Johnnie Johnson, Spitfire Ace
2. Alice Hawkins, Trade Unionist and Militant Suffragette
3. Adrian Cross, Campaigning Environmentalist with a Worldwide Reputation
4. Lady Jane Grey, Queen for Nine Days
5. Alfred Russel Wallace, Naturalist and Early Selection Theorist
6. Martin Johnson, International Rugby Legend and Inspirational Captain
7. Clare Hollingworth, Trail Blazing War Correspondent
8. Thomas Cook, Pioneer of the Travel Industry
9. Lady Florence Dixie, Intrepid Traveller and Champion of Good Causes
10. Gary Lineker, Outstanding Footballer and Popular Broadcaster
11. Philip Bent, Recipient of a Posthumous Award for Bravery at Passchendaele
12. Sue Townsend, The Creator of Adrian Mole
13. David and Richard Attenborough, Leicester Brothers Known Throughout the World for their Work in TV and Film
14. George Fox, Founder of the Quaker Movement
15. Alec Jeffreys, The Inventor of DNA Fingerprinting
16. Malcolm Pinnegar, Striking Miner who Steadfastly Followed his Conscience
17. Eliane Plewman, Courageous SOE Agent in Warime France
18. Robert Bakewell, Innovative Breeder of Livestock in the 18th Century
19. Jenny Pitman, The Trainer Whose Career is Part of Horse-Racing Legend
20. Mary Linwood, Embroidery Artist of International Renown
21. Linda Straw, Present-Day Textile Artist and Radical Thinker
22. Daniel Lambert, 'The Heaviest Man who Ever Lived'
23. Joseph Merrick, The So-Called 'Elephant Man' who Faced his Disability with Heroic Courage
24. Bob Miller, Leicester firefighter who lost his Life Saving Others
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
Index
