Historical figures in Edinburgh
The atlas holds 14 people and 27 moments here, from 1706 to 2008. The most recorded lives are Adam Smith, Frédéric Chopin and Helen Keller. Among them Writers, Scientists and Political Leaders, across the Space Age and the Enlightenment.
Notable people
Adam Smith
from 1723 to 1790
8 moments here
Scottish moral philosopher and political economist of the Scottish Enlightenment, author of The Theory of Moral Sentiments and An Inquiry into the…
Frédéric Chopin
in 1848
3 moments here
Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the early Romantic period. Born in Żelazowa Wola, he grew up and trained in Warsaw, travelled through Central…
Helen Keller
from 1930 to 1933
3 moments here
Helen Adams Keller was an American deafblind author, lecturer, disability-rights advocate, and political activist.…
Benjamin Franklin
from 1759 to 1771
2 moments here
American printer, scientist, civic leader, colonial agent, revolutionary statesman, and diplomat.…
Daniel Defoe
from 1706 to 1708
2 moments here
English merchant, political writer, journalist, intelligence agent, and novelist. This chronology records documented physical presences from his…
Nelson Mandela
in 1997
1 moment here
South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, lawyer and statesman. Mandela helped lead the African National Congress, co-founded its armed wing,…
Charles Darwin
in 1825
1 moment here
English naturalist, geologist, and biologist whose observations during the global voyage of HMS Beagle and subsequent research led to his theory of…
Elizabeth II
in 1999
1 moment here
Elizabeth II was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death.…
Hans Christian Andersen
in 1847
1 moment here
Danish writer renowned for literary fairy tales including “The Little Mermaid,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “The Snow Queen,” and “The Ugly…
Agatha Christie
in 1930
1 moment here
English novelist, playwright, and memoirist, internationally known for detective fiction featuring Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.…
Jules Verne
in 1879
1 moment here
French novelist, playwright, and poet whose documented life included residences and work in Nantes, Paris, Amiens, Auteuil, and Le Crotoy, together…
Douglas Adams
in 1976
1 moment here
English author, screenwriter and humourist best known for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.…
Amy Winehouse
in 2008
1 moment here
British singer and songwriter Amy Jade Winehouse was born in London and became internationally known for the albums Frank and Back to Black.…
Wangarĩ Maathai
in 1993
1 moment here
Kenyan environmentalist, democracy activist, academic, founder of the Green Belt Movement, parliamentarian, and the first African woman awarded the…
Moments
- 1706 Secret mission to Edinburgh Daniel Defoe
- 1708 Government correspondence from Edinburgh Daniel Defoe
- 1723 Baptism at Kirkcaldy Old Kirk Adam Smith
- 1729 Burgh School education Adam Smith
- 1746 Return and convalescence in Kirkcaldy Adam Smith
- 1748 Public lectures in Edinburgh Adam Smith
- 1759 Visit to Edinburgh Benjamin Franklin
- 1766 Return to Kirkcaldy to write Adam Smith
- 1771 Stay in Edinburgh Benjamin Franklin
- 1776 Kirkcaldy after publication Adam Smith
- 1778 Move to Panmure House as Customs Commissioner Adam Smith
- 1790 Death at Panmure House Adam Smith
- 1825 Begins medical studies in Edinburgh Charles Darwin
- 1847 Stays at Trinity near Edinburgh Hans Christian Andersen
- 1848 Stay at Calder House Frédéric Chopin
- 1848 Edinburgh concert at Hopetoun Rooms Frédéric Chopin
- 1848 Final will at Warriston Crescent Frédéric Chopin
- 1879 Voyage to Edinburgh Jules Verne
- 1930 First overseas tour: Scotland Helen Keller
- 1930 Marriage to Max Mallowan Agatha Christie
- 1932 Third trip abroad: Scotland Helen Keller
- 1933 Return to Scotland Helen Keller
- 1976 Performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Douglas Adams
- 1993 Edinburgh Medal visit Wangarĩ Maathai
- 1997 Attends Commonwealth meeting in Edinburgh Nelson Mandela
- 1999 Opened the Scottish Parliament Elizabeth II
- 2008 T in the Park performance Amy Winehouse