Great Britons

Britain is a nation of great men and women who are admired or idealized for their courage in the face of adversity, their outstanding achievements, their unstinting noble qualities. Such popular heroes come from all walks of life, and count among their ranks explorers, inventors, soldiers, sailors, airmen, scientists, musicians, actors, artists, politicians, sportsmen and women - and the ordinary folk and unsung heroes who are revered because of a selfless act or personal sacrifice. With a wry nod to British eccentricity, also celebrated here are the larger-than-life characters that have won the hearts of the public, including plucky racehorses, loyal canines, and loveable celebrities from the small screen.

GREAT BRITONS is a visual record of some of the foremost or notable personalities in the country, told in over 400 images from the vast archives of the Press Association, whose photographers have been on hand for more than a century to capture their celebrity for posterity.