The latest update of the Oxford DNB includes entries on 125 men and women active between the twelfth and late twentieth century, with a special focus on First World War lives. As well as new biographies, the update adds 21 ‘reference group’ essays to our continuing series charting well-known clubs, gangs, and networks in British history.

A full list of subjects is available, along with the editor’s introduction to the new update.

First World War lives

To coincide with the 90th anniversary of the armistice in November 1918, October’s update extends the Oxford DNB’s coverage of men and women active during the First World War. Click on an image or name to read about some of the people included in this release.

Front-line soldiers Daniel Laidlaw (1875–1950), the ‘Piper of Loos’ William Coltman (1891–1974), stretcher-bearer and most decorated other-rank soldier David Morgan (1867–1933), miners' leader and popular recruiter Donald Bell (1890–1916), footballer, soldier, and posthumous VC Tacticians and innovators Edward Harrison (1869–1918), inventor of the gas mask [also available as a podcast episode; more biographies in the series] Sir Gerald Boyd (1877–1930), officer who breached the Hindenberg line Godfrey Herbert (1884–1961), Q-ship commander Philip Fullard (1897-1984), air force officer Cultural responses to war Jessie Pope (1868–1941), patriotic poet, criticized by Wilfred Owen Alfred Leete (1882–1933), poster designer: ‘Your country needs you!’ Felix Powell (1878–1942), composer of ‘Pack up your troubles…’ General officers of the First World War Professor Gary Sheffield considers the successes and failures of those who commanded British forces on land in his feature essay, General officers of the First World War

Other lives

October’s update also includes life stories of men and women active between the twelfth and the late twentieth century, across the British Isles and the Indian sub-continent. Highlights include:

• Religious benefaction and worship—Margaret Holland, countess of Clarence (d. in or after 1455), Robert Pakington (d.1536), Katherine Palmer (d.1576), and William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898).
• Gardeners and cultivators—the Jackman family (per. 1763-1976), Ernest Ballard (1870-1952), and Euan Cox (1893-1977).
• Recreations and professions—Hugh Locke King (1848-1926), motor-racing pioneer; Nellie Boxall (1890-1965), servant to Virginia Woolf; and Sir Ferguson Anderson (1914-2001), geriatrician; Victoria Claflin Woodhull (1838-1927), first female US presidential candidate [also available as a podcast episode; more biographies in the series].
• Empire and Commonwealth—Lakshmi Bai (1827/8-1858), Sir Mian Fazl-i-Husain (1877-1936), Saadat Hasan Manto (1912-1955), and the Tagore family (per. 1690-1951)

Groups in British history

Lancastrians and Yorkists Gunpowder plotters Putney debaters Bluestocking circle Auden group Independent Group

A full list of our 230 published groups is available in the Themes area of the Oxford DNB.