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10+ Weirdest British Figures You’ve Never Heard Of

Written By Anne Kostick
Last updated: February 1, 2025

Britain is home to a plethora of eccentric and unusual figures, many of whom have made significant contributions to the country's history and culture. From inventors to artists, these individuals have left their mark on the nation. Here are 10 of the weirdest British figures you've never heard of.

1. The Emperor of the United States of Britain

Joshua Abraham Norton, a British-born entrepreneur, declared himself the Emperor of the United States and later added Britain to his title. He printed his own currency, issued decrees, and was even given a funeral with full military honors when he died.

2. The Fairy Photographer

Cicely Mary Barker, a British artist, created the famous Flower Fairies series, but few know about her other hobby - photographing fairies. She claimed that the fairies were real and captured their images using a specialized camera.

3. The Inventing Vicar

Rev. W.A. Deacon, a British vicar, invented the first mechanical potato peeler and held several other patents. His peculiar inventions often raised eyebrows among his parishioners, but he remained committed to his creative pursuits.

4. The Dancing Mathematician

Ada Lovelace, often considered the world's first computer programmer, was also known for her love of dancing.

Weirdest British Figures

She believed that mathematics and dance were intertwined and used her mathematical skills to analyze and improve dance movements.

5. The Royal Imposter

Mary Toft, a British woman, convinced the medical community that she was giving birth to rabbits. The incident, known as the "Rabbit Woman of Godalming," was a bizarre and intriguing case that left many baffled.

6. The Time Traveling Writer

H.G. Wells, the famous science fiction writer, wrote about time travel in his novels, but few know that he also claimed to have experienced it himself. He believed that he had traveled through time and used these experiences as inspiration for his writing.

7. The Ghost Hunter

Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, was a passionate ghost hunter and spiritualist. He believed in the existence of ghosts and wrote about his experiences in his non-fiction books.

8. The Bird-Man of Brighton

William Frost, a British inventor, created a set of wings made of feathers and wood, which he used to attempt flight. Although his attempts were unsuccessful, he remains a fascinating figure in the history of aviation.

9. The Lady Pirate

Ching Shih, a British-born pirate, dominated the seas of China and became one of the most feared pirates in history. She commanded a fleet of over 1,500 ships and was known for her cunning and bravery.

10. The Electric Experimenter

Michael Faraday, a British chemist and physicist, experimented with electricity and made groundbreaking discoveries. He also used himself as a test subject, often putting his own body at risk to demonstrate the power of electricity.

11. The Mummy Unwrapper

Thomas Pettigrew, a British surgeon, was known for unwrapping and dissecting mummies in the 19th century. He was fascinated by ancient Egyptian culture and made significant contributions to the field of Egyptology.

12. The Clockwork Genius

John Harrison, a British clockmaker, invented the first marine chronometer, which revolutionized navigation at sea.

Weirdest British Figures

He was also known for his intricate and precise clockwork mechanisms, which were considered works of art.

13. The Fire-Breathing Preacher

William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, was known for his unconventional preaching methods, including fire-breathing and sword-swallowing. He used these techniques to attract crowds and spread his message.

14. The Phantasmagoria Showman

Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg, a British artist and showman, created Phantasmagoria, a horror show that featured ghostly projections and illusions. He was a master of manipulating light and shadow to create eerie and terrifying effects.

15. The Anatomical Artist

Thomas Barber, a British artist, created detailed and realistic drawings of the human body, often using corpses as models. His work was instrumental in advancing the field of anatomy and helped to improve medical understanding of the human body.

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Charles Eames

Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.

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