05/10/2009

Stamps Celebrate Top 10 Britons

A new set of postage stamps, Eminent Britons, issued this week, are to spotlight some of the UK's most eminent citizens.

The set contains ten 1st class stamps, all featuring historic figures from the realms of science, art, literature, politics and sport.

The new issue of postage stramps is also spanning more than three centuries.

Samuel Johnson and Judy Fryd are among these true 'individuals' recalled on the stamps, as all have made a huge impact on British society.

Johnson, despite enduring a legion of serious illnesses, produced the first English dictionary, and Fryd is remembered for her pivotal role in transforming society's attitude towards people with a learning disability.

Fred Perry, lawn tennis champion is also in the collection alongside William Gladstone, statesman and prime minister, and Donald Campbell, water speed record breaker, next to composer and musician, Henry Purcell.

Other eminent Britons featured on the stamp issue include footballer, Sir Matt Busby; pioneering feminist, Mary Wollstonecraft; writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (pictured) and radio surveyor, Sir Martin Ryle.

The stamp featuring astronomer Sir Martin Ryle was also selected to represent the 2009 Europa theme of astronomy - 2009 is also the International Year of Astronomy.

(BMcC/KMcA)

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