John Clare (1793–1864)

John Clare (1793–1864)

John Clare (1793–1864) is celebrated as one of England’s finest rural poets, famed for capturing the beauty of the countryside and the voices of rural life with rare authenticity. Born in the village of Helpston, just outside Peterborough, Clare grew up in a labouring...
Walter Cornelius (c. 1913–1983)

Walter Cornelius (c. 1913–1983)

Walter Cornelius (c. 1913–1983) was one of Peterborough’s most colourful local legends. A Latvian-born strongman and stunt performer, he settled in the city after World War II and became famous for his daring – and often eccentric – public feats. These included...
John Fletcher (1579–1625)

John Fletcher (1579–1625)

John Fletcher (1579–1625) was one of the most celebrated playwrights of the early 17th century and a key figure in the golden age of English theatre. Born in Rye, Sussex, Fletcher grew up in Peterborough, where his father, Richard Fletcher, served as Dean of...
Dr Thomas James Walker

Dr Thomas James Walker

A pioneering surgeon at Peterborough Infirmary (now the Museum) from 1862 to 1906. A Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, he was the first in Britain to remove a growth from the larynx and a leading advocate for purpose-built operating theatres to reduce infection...
Louis Smith

Louis Smith

Born in Peterborough in 1989, Louis Smith is one of Britain’s most successful male gymnasts. Specialising in the pommel horse, he made history at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by winning bronze – Team GB’s first individual Olympic gymnastics medal in a century. He went on...
Jake Humphrey

Jake Humphrey

Born in Peterborough in 1978, Jake Humphrey is a well-known British television presenter, best recognised for his work in sports broadcasting. He began his career in children’s television with CBBC before moving into sports coverage, becoming a familiar face on BBC...