The latest update of the Oxford DNB includes entries on 91 men and women active between the first and late twentieth century. As well as new biographies, the update adds 45 ‘reference group’ essays to our continuing series charting well-known clubs, gangs, and networks in British history.

A principal theme in this update is landscape architecture and country house design, with biographies dedicated to individuals who achieved note in these fields from the eighteenth century onwards.

In addition May’s update continues our two projects to extend the Oxford DNB’s coverage of the empire and early Commonwealth and to provide a comprehensive listing of the pre-Reformation episcopacy. As ever, the update also includes a selection of people with strong regional connections whose actions are now recognized nationally and internationally.

This page offers a selection from the update: just click on the images or a name to read the biography. You can also consult the full list of subjects, or read the editor’s introduction to the new update.

Landscape and country house designers Thomas Blaikie (1751–1838), doyen of the French aristocracy who later cultivated potatoes for the revolutionary government Joseph Lane (bap. 1717, d. 1784), grotto maker Edward Mawson (1885–1954), pioneer of seaside gardens Fanny Wilkinson (1855–1951), designer of London squares and gardens Ralph Hancock (1893–1950), creator of Europe’s largest roof garden at Derry and Tom’s, London Shapers of empire and Commonwealth Yagan (c.1800–1833), Aboriginal warrior Kwamina Faux Tandoh (c.1877–c.1932), spokesman for west African interests Hilda Kuper (1911–1992), social anthropologist Leabua Joseph Jonathan (1914–1987), prime minister of Basutoland and of Lesotho Solomon Suna'one Mamaloni (1943–2000), chief minister and prime minister of the Solomon Islands Episcopal and regional lives Robert of Bingham (d. 1246), bishop of Salisbury James Berkeley (c.1275–1327), bishop of Exeter Vindolanda officers (per. AD 97–105) Richard Staper (c.1540–1608), merchant Groups in British history King Alfred's scholars (act. 880–899) Wycliffites (act. c.1370–c.1420) Scriblerians (act. 1714) National Trust founders (act. 1895-1896) Women's Social and Political Union (act. 1903–1914) Mass-Observation (act. 1937–1949) A full list of our 210 published groups is available in the Themes area of the online ODNB.