Thomas Dimsdale

Over the centuries many notable names have contributed to the history of the town. Some have even had streets and Public Houses named after them. Detailed below are some of the people associated with the town's past and their contribution to our history.

Father and son, b.1788 and 1829 respectively, both lived at Woodhall Park and served the Borough of Hertford in Parliament for many years. They built Christ Church and school in Port Vale (opened 30th June 1869) and Holy Trinity Church in Bengeo Street. The former has been demolished but the school house remains in use as a theatre by The Company Of Players.

The Addis family establshed their brushmaking business in London in the late 18th Century. In 1920, Robert Addis, the head of the company, decided to move to Hertford, taking over existing premises in Ware Road. New offices fronting the road were built in 1935 and 1955. Later members fo the family became an Alderman, A Justice Of The Peace and a councillor.

The Hon.A.J.Balfour (later Earl Balfour) was nephew of Lord Salisbury and Hertford's MP during part of the latter 19th century. It was Mr.Balfour that opened the new Public Library in 1888.

Together with John de Westreete, Simon de Balle was one of two deputies (MPs) sent to Parliament to represent the Borough in 1298. He was the owner of Ball's Park .

Bell and clock maker of the late 18th century who had a foundry in Parliament Square. He cast 422 bells including those for The Shire Hall and All Saints Church.

Recorder of London in 1669, who rebuilt the mansion at Ware Park.

Robert Cecil was first Earl of Salisbury, son of Lord Burghley, who lived at Theobold's Park. His Earldom was granted by King James I, who pursuaded him to exchange the Park for the Royal Palace at Hatfield.

William Cecil was the second Earl of Salisbury. In September 1628, ownership of the disused and derelict Hertford Castle was passed by King Charles I to William, son of Sir Robert, the first Earl.

The sixth and seventh Earls of Salisbury shared the same name. The latter however became the First Marquis of Sailsbury.

MP, later Lord Chancellor and Earl Cowper for his services to Queen Anne in unifying England and Scotland in 1706. Lived at Hertford Castle and Panshangar.

One of two Hertford MPs and Roundhead supporter during the Civil War. He controlled the Roundhead troops in Hertfordshire. The other MP - who supported the King was Thomas Fanshawe.

Dr.Thomas Dimsdale first set up practice in the town in 1734. He had a strong interest in the prevention of smallpox and in 1767 he published a book on the subject. In the following year he travelled to Russia, where he innoculated Catherine The Great, for which he was handsomely rewarded with a title and wealth. He died in 1800 at the age of 90.

Radical Whig MP from 1826-32 and political rival to the [Tory] Dimsdale Family. The elections in which he partook were regarded as controversial and corrupt and steeped in allegations of violent intimidation.

One time owner of Ware Park.

One of the towns two MPs during the Civil War who supported the King (the other was Lord Cranbourne, a Roundhead).

Late 19th century Member of Parliament and owner of Goldings.

Sir George Faudel-Philips was an MP for the Borough and later became the second Jewish Lord Mayor of London. He lived in Balls Park during the 1880s, purchasing the estate in 1889. He was made a freeman of the town in 1897. His son, Lionel was also mayor from 1928-30.

Mayor of Hertford, 1626-7. During his office, Hartham and the Kings Meads were purchased from King Charles I for £100.

Bought Balls Park in 1637.

Author and creator of Biggles, lived at 41 Cowbridge between the ages of 7 and 19. He attended Richard Hale School (then Hertford Grammar).

Otherwise known as John Of Gaunt, he was the third son of Edward III, born in Ghent. He was conferred Hertford Castle by The King in 1360.

Alexander Purkiss-Ginn was four times Mayor and granted the freedom of the town in 1929. He first pulled the switch that lit the town with electricity

See Cecils

Samuel Stone, baptised 30th July 1602, founded Hartford in America in 1636. He sailed in 1633, in the ship Griffin.

John Tate established the country's first paper mill in the 15th century on a site opposite Hertford County Hospital in North Road (formerly Sele Mill). The factory was visited twice by King Henry VII

Naturalist, born 1823, came to Hertford with his family when he was around six years old, living in St.Andrews Street. He visited the Amazon and South-east Asia.

• Balfour Street is named after the Hon.A.J.Balfour.
• Byde Street is named after Sir Thomas Byde, Recorder of London in 1669, who rebuilt the mansion at Ware Park.
• Cecil Road is named after William Cecil, the second Earl of Salisbury.
• Cranbourne Close is named after Lord Cranbourne, a Hertford MP.
• Cowper Crescent - Sir William Cowper - MP
• Cromwell Road is named after Oliver Cromwell, who came to the town to quell a mutiny amongst his men during the English Civil War.
• Currie Street is named after the early 19th century MP.
• Dimsdale Street is probably named after Sir John Dimsdale, a prominent Hertford doctor, who presented the main gates of Christ's Hospital to the school. He later became Baron Dimsdale.
• Duncombe Road is named after Thomas Duncombe, Hertford's Radical MP of the early 19th Century.
• Fairfax Road named after Thomas Fairfax, commander-in-chief of the seventeenth century New Model Army. He came with Oliver Cromwell to the town to quell an uprising in the ranks.
• Fanshawe Street bears the name of Sir Richard Fanshawe, one time owner of Ware Park.
• Gascoyne Way is named after the Gascoigne Family.
• Glovers Close is so-called because of the glove factory that stood on the site, owned by Webb & Co.
• Palmer Close and Palmer Road are both named after Mayor Andrew Palmer, who served during the English Civil War.
• Priory Street is named after The Hertford Priory, which stood on the site.
• Purkiss Road is beleived to be named after Alexander Purkiss Ginn, Freeman of the Town and major during the early part of the 20th century.
• St.John's Street is named after St.John's Church, which stood nearby in The Hertford Priory.
• Talbot Street is probably named after Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoigne.
• Tanners Crescent is so named because of the leather tannery that stood on the site, owned by Webb & Co.
• Villiers Street, together with Townshend Street, is named after John Villiers Townshend, the fifth Marquess of Salisbury of Hatfield.