Famous figures

Alderman William Smith (1839-1922) and his wife Susannah (1838-1916) began collecting paintings in the 1870s from around the UK. The couple bequeathed their collection, and their art gallery to the people of Brighouse in 1907.

Ann Walker was born on the 20th May 1803. Ann Walker and Anne Lister of Shibden Hall started a relationship in 1832, and the two women became lovers. They had a secret union and exchanged rings as a form of marriage. Their relationship, often complex, was documented in Anne Lister's diaries.

Anne Lister was born on the 3rd April 1791 and was brought up in Skelfler House, Market Weighton. She made frequent visits to her Aunt Anne and Uncle James who lived at Shibden Hall. In 1815 Anne moved in permanently with her Aunt and Uncle, and when her Uncle James died in 1826 Anne started to manage the estate. In 1836 when her Aunt and Father died Anne fully inherited Shibden Hall and Estate.

The “Iron Duke” was born Arthur Wellesley in Dublin in 1769. He studied at the French Military Academy and purchased a commission in the 73rd Regiment at the age of 18.

Edith was born into a large wealthy London family in 1863. Her father and brothers were both doctors and Edith attended Bedford College and the Royal Academy of Arts, training as an artist. As the eldest daughter, she was expected to care for her ailing mother but became ill from the stress of it and was advised by her doctor to take a holiday abroad.

For 50 years, Bankfield Mansion was the principal home of one of Halifax’s foremost woollen and worsted manufacturers, Edward Akroyd (1810 - 1887). Between 1838 and 1868, the mansion grew from a simple four-up four-down townhouse to the magnificent, Italianate style mansion seen today.

Known as Harry to his friends and family, Whitley was born in 1866. Find out more John Whitley.

John Lister (1847 – 1933) of Shibden Hall, was the son of Dr John Lister (1802-1867) who inherited Shibden after Ann Walker’s death. Anne Lister (1791-1840) had named him as the heir to the estate; he was the descendant of a brother of Anne Lister’s paternal grandfather.

Elizabeth Ann Yates was born in Halifax in 1883 and lived with her family at 1 Carr Terrace and then 129 Thorn Terrace in Luddenden. In 1908 she emigrated to Winnipeg in Canada.

Born in Halifax in 1890, Percy Shaw grew up as one of fifteen children in Boothtown and attended Boothtown Board School. Being part of such a large family, it was important that Shaw should earn a wage and after leaving school at age 13 he worked in all of the main local industries to be found in Halifax including textiles, engineering and machine tool production.

Phyllis Bentley was born on the 19th November 1894. She was the youngest child of Mr J E Bentley, who was a mill owner.

Copley resident and local bus driver, Sergeant Hanson Victor Turner, was awarded the highest honour, the Victoria Cross, for bravery on the night of the 6th - 7th June 1944.

Tom Whitehead was the son of James Whitehead and Mary Ann (nee Crowther), and was born in Brighouse on June 5th, 1886. The family lived at 212 Hey Street, near what is now Wellholme Park.