Successful and Famous Britons:

Richard Branson: was born in 1950 in Surrey, England. He is the founder of the ‘Virgin’ trademark under which he has marketed Virgin Atlantic Airlines, Virgin Cola, music production and interests in retailing, radio stations, financial services, hotels and even cosmetics companies – leading to over 200 companies. Branson began ‘Virgin Records’ at just 21 years of age and signed up stars such as The Rolling Stones, Phil Collins and Janet Jackson. He sold it eventually in 1991 for a whopping $1 billion.

she is the founder of ‘The Body Shop’ a company with over 1000 outlets in over 40 countries around the world. She opened up her first store in Brighton, England in 1976 with a mere £12,000 to her name and has not looked back since.

Winston Chuchill:
was born November 30, 1874, in Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England. He was first elected to Parliament as part of the Conservative Party, but switched allegiance to the Liberals. By 1911, Churchill was appointed the first Lord of the Admiralty and had to bring the British fleet to a state of full readiness for war. After a disastrous spell he resigned. However, Prime Minister David Lloyd George appointed him minister of munitions in July 1917 and he gradually rose through the ranks. It was not until Chamberlain’s government fell that Churchill was commissioned to head a new government in May, 1940.

He is most remembered for his speech after the French surrender in the Second World War, in which he remarked; "Let us brace ourselves for our duties, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will say, 'This was their finest hour.'"

(1599-1658) during the early part of his career, Cromwell took part in local politics at Huntingdon and Cambridge. Later he created and led a superb force of cavalry and rose through the military ranks to emerge as lieutenant-general. He was influential in the trial and execution of the king in 1649 and the establishment of the Commonwealth where he became lord-general, commander in chief and lord lieutenant of Ireland. This Commonwealth ended with the establishment of Cromwell’s Protectorate (1653-58).

Isaac Newton:
he was born on 25 December 1642 in Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, England. Considered by many as the father of modern science, he helped define the laws of gravity and planetary motion, co-founded the field of calculus, and explained laws of light and colour. It is said he discovered gravity whilst sitting under a tree and watching an apple fall.

Writers

William Shakespeare:
born on 23 April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England Shakespeare is regarded as the greatest literary genius of all time and wrote countless plays which continue to dominate the world even today. Some of his more famous plays include Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet and Othello. And quotes such as ‘to be or not to be’ and ‘parting is such sweet sorrow’ are uttered throughout the world and become part of everyday language.

born on 31 July 1965 in Chipping Sodbury, England. She has shot to fame with her books about a boy who discovers he is a wizard. Her first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has since been turned into a very successful film.

David Beckham:
born on 2 May 1975 in Leytonstone, England. Beckham is one half of the famous couple (the other half being Victoria Beckham) and established himself as one of England’s great players during his years as a midfielder for Manchester United. He is well known for his free-kick expertise and this has led to him being signed by arguably the biggest football club in the world, Real Madrid of Spain. The Beckham’s have become the darling couple of British Society, both envied and praised. Along with their two sons, Brooklyn and Romeo they are rarely ever out of the media.