Holt, Thomas Littleton.—A Press man, whose death (Sept. 14, 1879) at the age of 85, severed one of the very few remaining links connecting the journalism of the past with the present. It was to him that the late Mr. Dickens owed his introduction to Dr. Black, then the editor of the Morning Chronicle. Mr. Holt was proprietor of the Iron Times, which started during the railway mania. When his friend Leigh Hunt was imprisoned for libelling the Prince Regent, he was the first to visit him. He took an active part in popularising cheap literature, and it was greatly owing to him that the advertisement duty was repealed. He also took an active part in the abolition of the paper duty. Besides starting many papers in London in the latter period of his life, he returned to his native town, Birmingham, where he started Ryland's Iron Trade Circular, to the success of which his writings largely contributed.
Humphreys, Henry Noel.—This eminent naturalist and archæologist's career closed in June, 1879. A son of the late Mr. James Humphreys, he was born in Birmingham in 1809, and was educated at the Grammar School here. He was the author of many interesting works connected with his zoological and antiquarian researches. Among the most important of the latter class may be specified:—"Illustrations of Froissart's Chronicles," "The Parables of our Lord Illustrated," "The Coins of England," "Ancient Coins and Medals," "The Illuminated Books of the Mediæval Period," the "Coin Collector's Manual," the "Coinage of the British Empire," "Stories by an Archæologist," and especially his magna opera, so to speak, "The Art of Illumination," and "The History of the Art of Writing from the Hieroglyphic Period down to the introduction of Alphabets."
James, William.—A Warwickshire engineer, born at Henley-in-Arden, June, 13, 1771. Mr. James has been called the first projector of railways, as there was none started previous to his laying out a line from here to Wolverhampton, which was given up in favour of the Canal Companies. The wharves in Newhall Street were constructed on the site of his proposed railway station. He afterwards projected and surveyed many other lines including Birmingham to Manchester through Derbyshire, the Birmingham and London, etc. West Bromwich owes no little of its prosperity to this gentleman, who opened many collieries in its neighbourhood. At one time Mr. James was said to have been worth £150,000, besides £10,000 a year coming in from his profession, but he lost nearly all before his death.
Jeffery.—George Edward Jeffery, who died Dec. 29th, 1877, aged 33, was a local writer who promised to make a name had he lived longer.
Johnstone, Dr. John, a distinguished local physician, was born at Worcester in 1768. Though he acquired a high reputation for his treatment of diseases, it was noticeable that he made a very sparing use of medicines. Died in 1836.
Johnstone, John, whose death was the result of being knocked down by a cab in Broad Street in Oct. 1875, was one of those all-round inventive characters who have done so much for the trades of this town. He was born in Dumfriesshire in 1801, and was apprenticed to a builder, coming to this town in 1823. He was soon noticed as the first architectural draughtsman of his day, but his genius was not confined to any one line. He was the first to introduce photographic vignettes, he invented the peculiar lamp used in railway carriages, he improved several agricultural implements, he could lay out plans for public buildings or a machine for making hooks and eyes, and many well-to-do families owe their rise in the world to acting on the ideas put before them by Mr. Johnstone. In the latter portion of his life he was engaged at the Cambridge Street Works as consulter in general.
Kempson, James—In one of those gossiping accounts of the "Old Taverns" of Birmingham which "S.D.R." has written, mention is made of a little old man, dear to the musicians under the name of "Daddy Kempson," who appears to have been the originator of our Triennial Musical Festivals in 1768, and who conducted a performance at St. Paul's as late as the year 1821, he being then 80 years of age.
Küchler, C.H.—A medalist, for many years in the employ of Boulton, for whom he sunk the dies for part of the copper coinage of 1797, &c. The 2d. piece is by him. He was buried in Handsworth Churchyard.
Lightfoot.—Lieut.-General Thomas Lightfoot, C.B., Colonel of the 62nd Regiment, who died at his residence, Barbourne House, Worcester, Nov. 15, 1858, in his 84th year, and who entered the British army very early in life, was the last surviving officer of the famous 45th, the "Fire-eaters" as they were called, that went to the Peninsula with Moore and left it with Wellington. Lightfoot was in Holland in 1799. He was present in almost every engagement of the Peninsular War. He received seven wounds; a ball which caused one of these remained in his body till his death. He obtained three gold and eleven silver medals, being one more than even those of his illustrious commander, the Duke of Wellington. One silver medal was given him by the Duke himself, who said on the occasion he was glad to so decorate one of the brave 45th. Lightfoot was made a C.B. in 1815. Before he became Major-General he was Aide-de-Camp to William IV. and Queen Victoria, and as such rode immediately before her Majesty in her coronation procession. Lieutenant-General Lightfoot was a native of this town, and was buried in the family vault in St. Bartholomew's Church, his remains being escorted to the tomb by the 4th (Queen's Own) Light Dragoons, commanded by Colonel Low.
Lloyd.—The founder of the well-known banking firm of Lloyds appears to have been Charles Lloyd, for some time a minister of the Society of Friends, who died in 1698.