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| The heroes Britain accidentally forgot | |
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| The National Lottery has published a list of 50 "unsung heroes" to mark its 15th birthday. So why does history remember some figures but forget others? | The National Lottery has published a list of 50 "unsung heroes" to mark its 15th birthday. So why does history remember some figures but forget others? |
| Can a man who has appeared on the £20 note really be classed as an "unsung" hero? | Can a man who has appeared on the £20 note really be classed as an "unsung" hero? |
| Plenty of people will have heard of Michael Faraday, even if they are not too familiar with his pioneering work in the field of electromagnetism. | Plenty of people will have heard of Michael Faraday, even if they are not too familiar with his pioneering work in the field of electromagnetism. |
| The Victorian physicist tops a list of 50 Britons whose contributions to history should be better celebrated, according to the National Lottery. | The Victorian physicist tops a list of 50 Britons whose contributions to history should be better celebrated, according to the National Lottery. |
| SEND US YOUR SUGGESTIONS Who are the British unsung heroes you think are worthy of greater recognition? Tell us, using the form at the bottom of the articleWe will publish a selection next week | |
| While the names of Shakespeare, Nelson and Churchill are inextricably woven into the fabric of British history, the people behind other contributions to the national story have been forgotten. | While the names of Shakespeare, Nelson and Churchill are inextricably woven into the fabric of British history, the people behind other contributions to the national story have been forgotten. |
| Some others on the list, chosen by nearly 2,000 people online, hardly fall into this category. In second place is author JM Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan and the subject of a biopic, Finding Neverland, in which he was played by Johnny Depp. Others on the list include Baldrick of Blackadder, singer Midge Ure and worldwide web inventor Tim Berners-Lee. | Some others on the list, chosen by nearly 2,000 people online, hardly fall into this category. In second place is author JM Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan and the subject of a biopic, Finding Neverland, in which he was played by Johnny Depp. Others on the list include Baldrick of Blackadder, singer Midge Ure and worldwide web inventor Tim Berners-Lee. |
| All quite well known, you may think, but there are a few others in there whose achievements are far more significant than their names. | All quite well known, you may think, but there are a few others in there whose achievements are far more significant than their names. |
| Percy Shaw , Sir John Harington , Mary Rand , Thomas Clarkson and Margaret Ann Bulkley are hardly heralded names, but maybe they should be. Find out more about them by clicking on their names. | Percy Shaw , Sir John Harington , Mary Rand , Thomas Clarkson and Margaret Ann Bulkley are hardly heralded names, but maybe they should be. Find out more about them by clicking on their names. |
| TOP 10 'UNSUNG HEROES' 1: Michael Faraday, physicist2: JM Barrie, author3: Edward Jenner, smallpox vaccine pioneer4: John Peel, broadcaster5: Alan Turing, mathematician6: Baldrick, Blackadder character7: Midge Ure, singer8: Percy Shaw, cat's eyes inventor9: Tim Berners-Lee, worldwide web inventor10: Fred Scott, BBC cameraman Source: National Lottery | TOP 10 'UNSUNG HEROES' 1: Michael Faraday, physicist2: JM Barrie, author3: Edward Jenner, smallpox vaccine pioneer4: John Peel, broadcaster5: Alan Turing, mathematician6: Baldrick, Blackadder character7: Midge Ure, singer8: Percy Shaw, cat's eyes inventor9: Tim Berners-Lee, worldwide web inventor10: Fred Scott, BBC cameraman Source: National Lottery |
| Thomas Clarkson, for instance, contributed hugely to the abolition of the slave trade, yet William Wilberforce MP is the man most closely linked to the movement, and still honoured to this day. | Thomas Clarkson, for instance, contributed hugely to the abolition of the slave trade, yet William Wilberforce MP is the man most closely linked to the movement, and still honoured to this day. |
| So why does the hand of history pluck some from the past while others get left on the cutting room floor? | So why does the hand of history pluck some from the past while others get left on the cutting room floor? |
| "We have to accept that who we choose as heroes says more about us than the people themselves," says historian and broadcaster Dan Snow. | "We have to accept that who we choose as heroes says more about us than the people themselves," says historian and broadcaster Dan Snow. |
| In the late Victorian age, for example, Britain's imperial past was celebrated and taught in schools, so the young Winston Churchill would have looked up to figures like James Wolfe, who defended Britain against French forces in Canada. | In the late Victorian age, for example, Britain's imperial past was celebrated and taught in schools, so the young Winston Churchill would have looked up to figures like James Wolfe, who defended Britain against French forces in Canada. |
| "Everyone knew who Wolfe was, because it was all about Empire and Britain's imperialistic past. Now no-one has a clue who he is, because in schools and in museums and galleries, we celebrate anti-slave traders and engineers like Kingdom Brunel. It's about modernity, science and progress." | "Everyone knew who Wolfe was, because it was all about Empire and Britain's imperialistic past. Now no-one has a clue who he is, because in schools and in museums and galleries, we celebrate anti-slave traders and engineers like Kingdom Brunel. It's about modernity, science and progress." |
| If society was to feel under threat again, then maybe Nelson would become fashionable again, he says. | If society was to feel under threat again, then maybe Nelson would become fashionable again, he says. |
| The only reason we know anything about her [Boudicca] is that two Roman historians wrote about her" Dan Snow | The only reason we know anything about her [Boudicca] is that two Roman historians wrote about her" Dan Snow |
| Another important factor, says Snow, is publicity. "You have to get your PR exactly right. It doesn't matter what you do if no-one's around to record your deeds, write about it and immortalise your acts." | Another important factor, says Snow, is publicity. "You have to get your PR exactly right. It doesn't matter what you do if no-one's around to record your deeds, write about it and immortalise your acts." |
| All the great heroes - Lord Nelson, Lawrence of Arabia, Francis Drake, General Patton - made sure they had journalists around them, he says. And even in the Iron Age, warlords had poets to make an oral record their military victories. | All the great heroes - Lord Nelson, Lawrence of Arabia, Francis Drake, General Patton - made sure they had journalists around them, he says. And even in the Iron Age, warlords had poets to make an oral record their military victories. |
| "We see Boudicca as one of the great forces of resistance to Roman rule but the only reason we know anything about her is that two Roman historians wrote about her." | "We see Boudicca as one of the great forces of resistance to Roman rule but the only reason we know anything about her is that two Roman historians wrote about her." |
| 'Fickle public' | 'Fickle public' |
| Timing is very important and tastes are changing all the time, depending on the preoccupation of the age, says Margaret Macmillan, professor of history at Oxford University. So feminist heroines like Lady Mary Wortley Montagu were not discovered until there was an appetite for them. | Timing is very important and tastes are changing all the time, depending on the preoccupation of the age, says Margaret Macmillan, professor of history at Oxford University. So feminist heroines like Lady Mary Wortley Montagu were not discovered until there was an appetite for them. |
| "When Brunel was celebrated, there was an enthusiasm for science but with global warming that has now lessened and it's more likely people who have warned about damaging the planet, like James Lovelock." | "When Brunel was celebrated, there was an enthusiasm for science but with global warming that has now lessened and it's more likely people who have warned about damaging the planet, like James Lovelock." |
| WHO WAS MICHAEL FARADAY? Born in south London in 1791Began apprenticeship aged 14 with bookbinder Educated himself from that ageJoined Royal Institution as chemical assistant aged 21Published work on electromagnetic rotation, the principle behind the electric motor, in 1821Ten years later, he discovered electromagnetic induction, the principle behind the electric transformer and generator | WHO WAS MICHAEL FARADAY? Born in south London in 1791Began apprenticeship aged 14 with bookbinder Educated himself from that ageJoined Royal Institution as chemical assistant aged 21Published work on electromagnetic rotation, the principle behind the electric motor, in 1821Ten years later, he discovered electromagnetic induction, the principle behind the electric transformer and generator |
| Public attention is fickle and sometimes one memoir catches our attention and another one doesn't, she says. And then there's personality. | Public attention is fickle and sometimes one memoir catches our attention and another one doesn't, she says. And then there's personality. |
| "Some people are noticed because they are flamboyant. Rupert Brooke was a wonderful poet and died tragically. Sometimes dying in a particular way can help. There are heroic deaths which you do remember." | "Some people are noticed because they are flamboyant. Rupert Brooke was a wonderful poet and died tragically. Sometimes dying in a particular way can help. There are heroic deaths which you do remember." |
| This year, another name burst into the ranks of recognition. Mathematician Alan Turing, ranked fifth in the National Lottery's list, had been quite well known, the subject of a BBC drama in 1997, but in September he made national headlines. | This year, another name burst into the ranks of recognition. Mathematician Alan Turing, ranked fifth in the National Lottery's list, had been quite well known, the subject of a BBC drama in 1997, but in September he made national headlines. |
| This hugely influential computer scientist earned a public apology from Prime Minister Gordon Brown for his prosecution in 1952 for gross indecency after admitting a homosexual relationship. | This hugely influential computer scientist earned a public apology from Prime Minister Gordon Brown for his prosecution in 1952 for gross indecency after admitting a homosexual relationship. |
| Despite helping to change the course of World War II as a codebreaker, the conviction prevented him from continuing his intelligence work and he committed suicide two years later. | Despite helping to change the course of World War II as a codebreaker, the conviction prevented him from continuing his intelligence work and he committed suicide two years later. |
| Not only does his honouring reflect changing social attitudes but it is also a recognition of the power of the web in harnessing grassroots support for figures overlooked by history. Mr Brown's apology followed an online campaign from Turing's supporters, who signed a petition on the Downing Street website. | Not only does his honouring reflect changing social attitudes but it is also a recognition of the power of the web in harnessing grassroots support for figures overlooked by history. Mr Brown's apology followed an online campaign from Turing's supporters, who signed a petition on the Downing Street website. |
| Boudicca's feats were noted by historians at the time | Boudicca's feats were noted by historians at the time |
| "More and more people are finding less traditional heroes, through democratic means like Wikipedia," says Mr Snow. | "More and more people are finding less traditional heroes, through democratic means like Wikipedia," says Mr Snow. |
| "Members of the public can start a campaign to emphasise their role and that's really positive." | "Members of the public can start a campaign to emphasise their role and that's really positive." |
| And as the UK has become more diverse, so the figures from history that we pick out have reflected the way society has changed, he says. | And as the UK has become more diverse, so the figures from history that we pick out have reflected the way society has changed, he says. |
| As well as Turing, there is the case of Mary Seacole, the Jamaican-born nurse who cared for soldiers in the Crimean War. This year, she emerged from the shadow of Florence Nightingale when designs for a statue of her to be erected in the grounds of St Thomas' Hospital in London were unveiled. | As well as Turing, there is the case of Mary Seacole, the Jamaican-born nurse who cared for soldiers in the Crimean War. This year, she emerged from the shadow of Florence Nightingale when designs for a statue of her to be erected in the grounds of St Thomas' Hospital in London were unveiled. |
| Mr Snow's personal choice for unsung hero is "utter legend" Walter Tull, the first black officer in the British Army who inspired unwavering loyalty from his soldiers, and was only the second black player in the top division of the Football League. | Mr Snow's personal choice for unsung hero is "utter legend" Walter Tull, the first black officer in the British Army who inspired unwavering loyalty from his soldiers, and was only the second black player in the top division of the Football League. |
| THOMAS CLARKSON | THOMAS CLARKSON |
| William Wilberforce has become the poster boy for the anti-slavery movement, with 20,000 people attending a ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of his death, his house turned into a museum and his statue in Westminster Abbey. | William Wilberforce has become the poster boy for the anti-slavery movement, with 20,000 people attending a ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of his death, his house turned into a museum and his statue in Westminster Abbey. |
| Clarkson was overshadowed by Wilberforce | Clarkson was overshadowed by Wilberforce |
| But the contribution of Thomas Clarkson, from Cambridgeshire, was equally important, says Michael Turner, professor of history at the Wilberforce Institute in Hull. | But the contribution of Thomas Clarkson, from Cambridgeshire, was equally important, says Michael Turner, professor of history at the Wilberforce Institute in Hull. |
| "He was passionate about the anti-slavery cause, he wrote a prize essay on anti-slavery when he was an undergraduate at Cambridge, but perhaps most important of all he organised a vast petition which he carried around the country to secure names to support the Parliamentary campaign that Wilberforce then presented on numerous occasions to Parliament. | "He was passionate about the anti-slavery cause, he wrote a prize essay on anti-slavery when he was an undergraduate at Cambridge, but perhaps most important of all he organised a vast petition which he carried around the country to secure names to support the Parliamentary campaign that Wilberforce then presented on numerous occasions to Parliament. |
| "To that extent the two men, Clarkson and Wilberforce, were indispensable to each other, the former out on the streets so to speak and the latter at Westminster." | "To that extent the two men, Clarkson and Wilberforce, were indispensable to each other, the former out on the streets so to speak and the latter at Westminster." |
| Clarkson is well known in academic circles, says Mr Turner, and in his home town of Wisbech, where there is some unhappiness that Wilberforce still hogs the limelight. | Clarkson is well known in academic circles, says Mr Turner, and in his home town of Wisbech, where there is some unhappiness that Wilberforce still hogs the limelight. |
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| SIR JOHN HARINGTON | SIR JOHN HARINGTON |
| The first flush toilet was described by Sir John in 1596, when he published A New Discourse of a Stale Subject, Called the Metamorphosis of Ajax. | The first flush toilet was described by Sir John in 1596, when he published A New Discourse of a Stale Subject, Called the Metamorphosis of Ajax. |
| He installed one for his godmother, Queen Elizabeth I, at Richmond Palace, although she was rather fearful of it and refused to use it. Partly for that reason, it was not adopted in England but was in France. | He installed one for his godmother, Queen Elizabeth I, at Richmond Palace, although she was rather fearful of it and refused to use it. Partly for that reason, it was not adopted in England but was in France. |
| It's difficult to over-estimate Sir John's contribution to the development of the toilet used today, says Lucinda Lambton, author of a history of the lavatory called On The Throne. She says Sir John never gave it a name, he just called it his "device". | It's difficult to over-estimate Sir John's contribution to the development of the toilet used today, says Lucinda Lambton, author of a history of the lavatory called On The Throne. She says Sir John never gave it a name, he just called it his "device". |
| "He designed the first flushing mechanism. The Romans had produced something fantastic many years before but it wasn't mechanised. | "He designed the first flushing mechanism. The Romans had produced something fantastic many years before but it wasn't mechanised. |
| "Sir John designed it for his godmother, the Queen, but she was too frightened to use it. She likened it to a thunderstorm. It was never manufactured. Perhaps if she had used it, it would have taken off." | "Sir John designed it for his godmother, the Queen, but she was too frightened to use it. She likened it to a thunderstorm. It was never manufactured. Perhaps if she had used it, it would have taken off." |
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| MARGARET ANN BULKLEY | MARGARET ANN BULKLEY |
| It was only when the distinguished doctor James Barry died of dysentery in 1865 that it was discovered "he" was in fact a woman called Mary Ann Bulkley. | It was only when the distinguished doctor James Barry died of dysentery in 1865 that it was discovered "he" was in fact a woman called Mary Ann Bulkley. |
| According to the Science Museum, Bulkley saw very few career choices as a woman, so she hatched a plan in which she would become James Barry. After graduating from medical school in Edinburgh, she worked at St Thomas' Hospital, London, before joining the Army. | According to the Science Museum, Bulkley saw very few career choices as a woman, so she hatched a plan in which she would become James Barry. After graduating from medical school in Edinburgh, she worked at St Thomas' Hospital, London, before joining the Army. |
| A successful career as a surgeon followed, in India and South Africa, and she eventually rose to the rank of Inspector General in charge of military hospitals. | A successful career as a surgeon followed, in India and South Africa, and she eventually rose to the rank of Inspector General in charge of military hospitals. |
| Her methods of nursing sick and wounded soldiers from the Crimea meant she had the highest recovery rate of the whole war, and she also performed one of the first successful Caesarean sections, in 1826. | Her methods of nursing sick and wounded soldiers from the Crimea meant she had the highest recovery rate of the whole war, and she also performed one of the first successful Caesarean sections, in 1826. |
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| PERCY SHAW | PERCY SHAW |
| Yorkshireman Shaw invented the "cat's eyes", which can now be found all over the world to help motorists at night. | Yorkshireman Shaw invented the "cat's eyes", which can now be found all over the world to help motorists at night. |
| Although he made his discovery in the 1930s, it was not until Roads Minister Jim Callaghan ordered their introduction in 1947 that they really took off. | Although he made his discovery in the 1930s, it was not until Roads Minister Jim Callaghan ordered their introduction in 1947 that they really took off. |
| Shaw had the idea while driving in fog | Shaw had the idea while driving in fog |
| Eventually, there were 400 on every mile of motorway, and more than 20 million across the country. | Eventually, there were 400 on every mile of motorway, and more than 20 million across the country. |
| "He probably single-handedly saved more lives than anyone else, almost," says Sir Bernard Ingham, who acclaimed Shaw in his book, Yorkshire Greats. | "He probably single-handedly saved more lives than anyone else, almost," says Sir Bernard Ingham, who acclaimed Shaw in his book, Yorkshire Greats. |
| "Cat's eyes are such a memorable invention, telling drivers where they are on the road. The world has forgotten his contribution, but he's not forgotten in Halifax, because he was a real character." | "Cat's eyes are such a memorable invention, telling drivers where they are on the road. The world has forgotten his contribution, but he's not forgotten in Halifax, because he was a real character." |
| Shaw got the idea, says Sir Bernard, when he was stopped from going over a cliff on a foggy night, because he caught the light of the eyes of a cat sitting on a wall. | Shaw got the idea, says Sir Bernard, when he was stopped from going over a cliff on a foggy night, because he caught the light of the eyes of a cat sitting on a wall. |
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| MARY RAND | MARY RAND |
| The Somerset athlete became the first British female to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field, when she took the long jump title at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, breaking the world record in the process. | The Somerset athlete became the first British female to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field, when she took the long jump title at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, breaking the world record in the process. |
| Six days later, her room-mate Ann Packer won gold in the 800 metres. | Six days later, her room-mate Ann Packer won gold in the 800 metres. |
| Rand was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1965 New Year's Honours List and voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 1964. | Rand was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1965 New Year's Honours List and voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 1964. |
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| Who are the British unsung heroes you think are worthy of greater recognition? Tell us, using the form below. | Who are the British unsung heroes you think are worthy of greater recognition? Tell us, using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |
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