Coventry

:For alternative meanings see: Coventry (disambiguation)

Famous people

Coventry's most famous resident was Lady Godiva, who according to legend, rode through the city naked on horseback (actually, she likely rode the horse bareback, not barenaked), in protest at high taxes being waged on the cityfolk by her husband Leofric. According to the legend, the residents of the city were asked to look away as she rode, but one man didn't and was allegedly struck blind, he became known as Peeping Tom thus originating the term. There is a statue of her in the city centre.

Related Topics:
Lady Godiva - Leofric - Peeping Tom

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Other famous people from Coventry include Frank Whittle the co-inventor of the jet engine, the poet and novelist Philip Larkin, the actors Nigel Hawthorne and Clive Owen, the record producer Pete Waterman, Jason John (also known as Jason Herbert) of the boy group Big Fun, the athlete David Moorcroft and the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup winners Neil Back and Danny Grewcock. Jerry Dammers writer of the song "Free Nelson Mandela". Hazel O'Connor, a pop star and actress of the early 1980s.

Related Topics:
Frank Whittle - Jet engine - Philip Larkin - Nigel Hawthorne - Clive Owen - Pete Waterman - Big Fun - David Moorcroft - 2003 Rugby Union World Cup - Neil Back - Danny Grewcock - Jerry Dammers - Hazel O'Connor

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The politician Mo Mowlam grew up in Coventry, and the inventor James Starley lived in the city for most of his life.

Related Topics:
Mo Mowlam - James Starley

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Joseph Paxton, the designer of the Crystal Palace, was a Member of Parliament for the city from 1854 to 1865.

Related Topics:
Joseph Paxton - The Crystal Palace - Member of Parliament - 1854 - 1865

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Two Tone ska bands The Specials and The Selecter are both from Coventry - one of The Specials' best known hits, Ghost Town was written about the city.

Related Topics:
Two Tone - Ska - The Specials - The Selecter

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The city's list of more infamous individuals includes porn star Debee Ashby, who achieved notoriety during 1983 when she appeared nude with her mother in an adult magazine.

Related Topics:
Debee Ashby - 1983

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