XX century: FAMOUS XX century: FAMOUS PEOPLE of the UKPEOPLE of the UK

Made by Dasha Reznikova.

Famous Political FiguresSir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill was a British politician and author, best known as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the Second World War.

Churchill was famous for his stubborn resistance to Hitler during the darkest hours of the Second World War.

After winning the Second World War, he was shocked to lose the 1945 general election to a resurgent Labour party. But, under the Conservatives he returned to power in the 1950 election - accepting much of the post war consensus and end of the British Empire.

Margaret Thatcher (1925-still alive)Margaret Thatcher was Britain's first female prime minister, who became a pivotal figure in British and world politics.

Mrs Thatcher was elected Prime Minister in the Conservative landslide of 1979.

The remaining years of her premiership were overshadowed by her controversial and dogmatic decision to stick with the poll tax.

She was successful in reducing inflation, deflationary monetary policies caused a serious economic recession, in which unemployment rose to 3 million.

Famous HumanitariansPrincess Diana (1991-1997)She was admired for her groundbreaking charity work.

Her natural sympathy and oneness with patients was much admired. In 1987, Princess Diana was one of the first well known celebrities to be photographed with a victim of AIDS.This was important in changing attitudes to the disease. At the time, many thought the disease could be contacted by touch alone.

Another of her high profile charities, was her involvement in the campaign to ban landmines. In January 1997, she visited mine fields in Angola to inspect the clearing of landmines.

Famous ArtistsDavid Hockney (1937-still alive)

David Hockney became one of Britain's most celebrated artists. He became seen as a leading figure of the 'pop art' movement - though it was a title he was not keen on.

Many of his works are autobiographical in nature. They are reflective and often abstract, quite different in style to the realist painters of the Old Masters.

He retained a close connection to his native in Yorkshire. In 1989, he painted a large scale piece 48" * 120" on Salts Mill, Saltaire, Yorks.

Famous Military Douglas Haig (1861-1928)

Douglas Haig was a Scottish soldier who rose through the ranks of the British Army to overall commander of the British Army on the Western Front during the later years of World War One.

He has come to symbolise, fairly of unfairly, much of the popular impression of bungling generals responsible for sending troops over the top during the bitter trench fighting of the war.

After the war, General Haig was made 1st Earl Haig and helped organize the Royal British Legion for the care of ex-servicemen.

Famous Writers

George Orwell (1903–1950) George Orwell (1903–1950)

George Orwell has proved to be one of the twentieth century’s most influential and thought provoking writers. His relatively small numbers of books have created intense literary and political criticism.

The two great novels of Orwell were “Animal Farm” and “1984”. Animal Farm is a simple allegory for revolutions which go wrong, based primarily on the Russian revolution.

Clive Staples Lewis  (1898-Clive Staples Lewis  (1898-1963)1963)

C.S. Lewis was an author, essayist and Christian apologist. He is best known for his children's classic series - The Chronicles of Narnia.

C.S.Lewis died a few years later in 1963 from renal failure. His death occurred on same date as the assassination of J.F. Kennedy.

Since his death, his books and influence have continued to grow. He has been rated as one of the top English writers of all time and his books have been translated into numerous languages.

Beatrix Potter (1866-1943)

Beatrix Potter became one of the best selling children’s author of all time. Devoted to her beloved lake district, she also donated over 4,000 acres of Lake farmland to the National Trust.

Potter wrote 23 books. Some of her best know titles include:

· The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902) · The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (1903) · The Tailor of Gloucester (1903) · The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (1904) · The Tale of Two Bad Mice (1904) · The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (1905) · The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan (1905) · The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher (1906) · The Story of A Fierce Bad Rabbit (1906)

Famous MusiciansJohn Lennon (1940-1980)

John Lennon was a key member of the Beatles. He went on to have a distinguished solo career, and became an icon of the 1960s counter-culture revolution.

In 1969 the Beatles had started to split up; it was John Lennon who was the main factor behind this. After 1970, John Lennon created a very successful solo career, often with the help of his second wife, Yoko Ono. 

John Lennon was shot dead in 1980, by David Chapman – an obsessed fan. The death shocked the world, both musical and non musical.

Cliff Richard (1940-still alive)

Cliff Richard is one of the UK's most durable pop / rock stars gaining number one hits over five decades. He has sold over 260 million records and has achieved 14 numbers ones in 5 consecutive decades - 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

Outside of music, Cliff is involved in numerous charities and foundations. He donates 10% of his income to charities, preferring charities involved research into better medical treatment.

He has also been involved in several films, of which, The Young Ones (1961) is perhaps best known.

Bob Geldof (1951- still alive)

In 1975, Bob Geldof became the lead singer of the Boomtown rats a punk rock band. By 1978, they had achieved their first UK hit single Rat Trap and later achieved a second hit with 'I Don't like Mondays'.

In 2005, he organised a Live 8 concert, coinciding with the Make Poverty History campaign. He sought the co-operation of leading G8 leaders such as Tony Blair to write off third world debt.

He remains a powerful figurehead for motivating Western attitudes to pay more attention to the problems and challenges of the poorest parts of the world.

Bob Geldof was knighted in 1986 and is often affectionately known as 'Sir Bob'

Paul McCartney (1942- still alive)

Paul McCartney was a key member of the Beatles and also pursued a very successful solo career. According to the Guinness book of records he is the best selling artist of all time.

After the break up of the Beatles, Paul McCartney successful pursued a new career path forming a new band - The Wings and also recording many solos such as the most covered song of all time - Yesterday. The Mull of Kintyre performed by the Wings was the first single to sell more than 2 million.

Paul McCartney has produced over 60 gold discs and has sold over 100 million singles.

Famous ActorsFamous ActorsSir Alec Guinness (1914-2000)

Alec Guinness was one of the most formidable and versatile actors of the post war period. Appearing in roles as diverse as Fagan in Oliver Twist, to the greatest Ealing comedies, and to Ben Obi Won Kenobe in Star Wars, Alec Guinness was much loved for his commanding performances - rich in diversity and depth of character.

Unlike some actors, Alec Guinness was a master of disguise. He could fit into different characters so well, one felt one was watching a particular character - rather than watching the famous actor - Alec Guinness.

He was knighted in 1959 and died 5 August 2000, aged 86. He was survived by his wife and one son.

Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993)

After several minor roles in films such as The Lavender Hill Mob, Audrey was  chosen to play Gigi a hit West end play. She was given an award by the Theatre world for best debut performance. Her first film was Secret People in 1952.

Although she was one of Hollywood’s great stars of the 1950s and 1960, she didn’t allow her fame to go to her head; often she would be quite happy to stay at home with her family. Her son wrote a moving tribute to his mother in this books “Audrey Hepburn, an Elegant Spirit: A son remembers”.

After returning from Somalia in 1992 Audrey Hepburn developed cancer of the colon. The disease proved to be untreatable in January 1993 she died in Switzerland aged 63.

Richard Attenborough (1923-still alive)

Richard Attenborough is an important and iconic British actor, director and later film producer. Some of his films have become classics of British cinema and captured the mood of the nation.

Early films of Richard Attenborough included:In Which We Serve (1942)A Matter of Life and Death (1946)Brighton Rock (1947)

Richard was knighted in 1976 and made a life peer in 1993 as Baron Attenborough.