George Fox and Hinckley author could win a green plaque
AN HISTORIAN from Hinckley could get a commemorative plaque in their honour as Leicestershire County Council reveals the shortlist for the latest green plaque awards .
18th century author John Nichols compiled the most authoritative history of Leicestershire ever written and is on the shortlist for Leicesteshire County Council’s green plaque awards.
He became interested in the area after marrying a Hinckley widow in 1778 and produced the eight volume History and Antiquities of the County of Leicester between 1795 and 1815.
George Fox, from Fenny Drayton, founded the Quaker movement and is once again on the shortlist to get a plaque.
Councillor Louise Richardson, cabinet member for green plaques, said: “This is the fifth round of the green plaque scheme but the nominations keep coming, which shows just how many well-known people and places have called Leicestershire home over the centuries.
“Our judges had a tough job selecting the final 12, but they’ve come up with an exciting and varied shortlist.
“I hope people will again get behind their favourites and vote for them.”
George Fox was born in Fenny Drayton, then known as Drayton-inthe-Clay, in July 1624, the eldest of four children born to Christopher Fox, a successful weaver.
He showed a deep Christian devo- tion from an early age, with his family thinking he may join the priesthood.
Instead he took up an apprenticeship with a shoemaker and grazier in Mancetter.
He was driven by an ‘inner voice’ to move away from home towards London in 1643, not long after the English Civil War began.
Over the next few years his religious convictions developed, including the importance of spiritual conversion over rituals, and God dwelling in individuals’ hearts rather than in a church building.
He began preaching publicly in 1647 and attracted a following, known as ‘Children of Light’ or ‘Friends of the Truth’, and ultimately simply as ‘Friends’.
His alternative view of the Christian faith was widely rejected by the gov- ernment of the time, with many quakers imprisoned under the Parliamentarian and Restoration governments.
George himself was imprisoned numerous times, including in Leicester and Nottingham, for refusing to pay tithes to the established church and for blasphemy.
But the Quaker movement continued to grow in the 1650s, and in the 1670s he visited the American colonies and the Low Countries to encourage groups of Friends there.
George died in January 1961, just two years after the Act of Toleration 1689 allowed Quakers to assemble freely. By then they numbered more than 50,000.
His view of the Christian faith is still widely preserved in Quaker practice today. Famous adherents include John and George Cadbury, Elizabeth Fry and Richard Nixon.
The green plaque scheme proved popular in Hinckley.
A green plaque was recently unveiled in honour of Lady Florence Dixie from Market Bosworth, who was an author, footballer and campaigner for women’s rights.
Another local winner was the Barwell Meteorite.
A plaque in the village of Barwell marks the spot where the meteorite fell earth.
Voting closes on July 30 with the six finalists to be announced shortly afterwards.
People can vote for up to six favourites on the county council website or by requesting a postal form by calling 0116 305 4112. has