Charles Babbage (1791-1871), mathematician, spent formative years in Totnes
Hyman, Anthony. Charles Babbage: pioneer of the computer, (Oxford University Press, 1984)
Swade, Daron. Charles Babbage and his calculating engines, (Science Museum, 1991)
Brown, Donald H. Charles Babbage: the man and his machines, (Totnes Museum Society, 1992)
Moseley, Maboth. Irascible genius: the life of Charles Babbage, inventor, (Hutchinson, 1964)

There is an exhibition gallery on Charles Babbage and the computer in Totnes Elizabethan Museum.

George Parker Bidder (1806-78), mathematician and civil engineer, born in Moretonhampstead
Clark, E.F. George Parker Bidder: the calculating boy, (KSL Publications, 1983)
In his youth Bidder was famous for his remarkable powers in mental arithmetic. Later in his life as a civil engineer he was associated with Robert Stephenson in the London and Birmingham Railway project (1834). He also worked laying out the rail network in Belgium and built the first railway in Norway. He was consulting engineer to Indian Railways. He helped to found the Electric Telegraph Company and constructed the Victoria Docks in London.

William Cookworthy (1705-1780), chemist and pottery manufacturer, Kingsbridge and Plymouth
Selleck, Albert Douglas. Cookworthy (1705-80) and his circle, (Baron Jay, 1978)
Penderill-Church, John. William Cookworthy, 1705-1780, (Bradford Barton, 1972)

Thomas Glass (1769-1786), physician, Tiverton and Exeter
Cameron, Alick. Thomas Glass, M.D. : physician of Georgian Exeter, (Devon Books, 1996)

Glass was a pioneer in the use of inoculation. The Westcountry Studies Library in Exeter holds copies of two works by him: A letter from Dr. Glass to Dr. Baker on the means of procuring a distinct and favourable kind of small-pox and A second letter from Dr. Glass to Dr. Baker on certain methods of treating the small-pox during the eruptive stage, both dating from 1767.

John Heathcoat (1783-1861), lace manufacturer, Tiverton
Varley, D.E. John Heathcoat, 1783-1861: founder of the machine-made lace industry, (David & Charles, 1969)

Tiverton Museum, which has a collection of material on Heathcote is closed for rebuilding for most of this year, but Knightshayes, the family home, a National Trust property to the north of Tiverton, can be visited.

Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1837), hymn writer, curate at Brixham

Garland, H.J. Henry Francis Lyte and the story of "Abide with me", (Torch Publications, 1957)
Skinner, B.G. Henry Francis Lyte: Brixham's poet and priest, (Exeter University, 1974)

Born: Ednam, Scotland on June 1st 1793. Died: Nice, France on November 20th 1847. Lyte was ordained in 1815, and was "jostled from one curacy to another" serving a number of parishes in Ireland and western England. In 1824 he was finally installed in a perpetuate curacy in All Saints Church, Brixham, Devonshire, England. During his 23 year curate at All Saints Church, Brixham. He used his background in poetry, and wrote hymns for his congregation. His most famous work being 'Abide with Me'. For more than a century, the bells of his church at All Saints in Brixham, have rung out "Abide with Me" daily. During his time at Brixham he published three volumes of religious poems, several of which have become hymns that we sing yet today. His books are titled: Tales on the Lord's Prayer in Verse, 1826; Poems, Chiefly Religious, 1833 and The Spirit of the Psalms, 1836. (Information from Matthew Lear.)

Thomas Newcomen (1663-1729), engineer and inventor, born in Dartmouth
Rolt, L.T.C. Thomas Newcomen: the pre-history of the steam engine, (David & Charles, 1963)
Rolt, L.T.C. The steam engine of Thomas Newcomen, (Landmark, 1997)
Rogers, Kenneth H. The Newcomen engine in the west of England, (Moonraker press, 1976)
Smart, Ivor H. The Newcomen memorials in Dartmouth, (Dartmouth History Research Group, 1993)

William Pengelly (1812-1894), geologist, lived in Torquay

Pengelly, Hester. A memoir of William Pengelly, (John Murray, 1897)

There are extensive collections of geological and archaeological finds excavated by Pengelly in Torquay Museum.

Nominate your own local hero for addition to this webpage, contact the library.