Buzz
John Stuart Mill, a man renowned for his own eccentric nature, once stated, 'Eccentricity flourishes where strong character is present, and its prevalence in a society often reflects the levels of genius, mental vitality, and bravery within it.' While every country has its share of unique individuals, this list highlights those from Britain. The British have a particular affection for their eccentrics, which likely explains why so many have emerged from the nation.
10. Lord Rokeby
Eccentricity often manifests as an intense passion for a personal belief. Matthew Robinson, the 2nd Baron Rokeby, harbored a deep fascination for water. At a time when drinking water was risky due to waterborne diseases, and most people opted for alcoholic beverages, Rokeby consumed only water or beef tea. Daily, he would trek to the beach and swim in the sea until utterly exhausted. Accompanied by a carriage and servants, he often swam to the brink of collapse, requiring rescue from the waves. His obsession with the sea eventually led him to build a swimming pool on his estate. He would spend hours submerged, sometimes with a floating roast veal joint nearby, from which he would take occasional bites. Despite his unconventional aquatic habits, Rokeby lived a remarkably long life, reaching the age of 88.
9. Jemmy Hirst
Jemmy Hirst, a resident of Rawcliffe in Yorkshire, became renowned for his unconventional behavior. From childhood, he displayed a keen interest in animals and their training. During his school years, he was often accompanied by a pet hedgehog and a tame jackdaw. Local tales suggest that his eccentricity intensified after the sudden death of his fiancée. Hirst then focused his efforts on training his most famous companion, Jupiter the Bull. Jupiter was taught to behave like a horse, and Hirst even rode him during hunts, using pigs instead of traditional hounds. Jupiter also pulled Hirst’s uniquely designed wicker coach, shaped like an onion. When King George III learned of Hirst, he invited him to London. Dressed in his most vibrant attire, Hirst impressed the king, who rewarded him with several bottles of wine. Hirst lived a long life, passing away at the age of 91.
8. John ‘Mad Jack’ Churchill
Churchill is renowned for carrying a bow and a Scottish broadsword during World War II. He famously declared, 'In my opinion, sir, any officer who enters combat without his sword is improperly dressed.' Despite his unconventional views on battle attire, Churchill excelled in the war, spearheading guerrilla-style attacks against the Germans. On the island of Brac, after his team was killed and he ran out of ammunition, Churchill stood his ground, playing mournful tunes on his bagpipes, which he also brought into battle. He survived the war after escaping from a German prison camp.
7. Alexander Douglas 10th Duke of Hamilton
The Duke’s extensive titles included Duke of Brandon, Marquess, three Earldoms, and several Baronetcies. He was deeply preoccupied with his ancestry and the significance of his noble birth. When his achievements fell short of his aspirations, he turned his attention to planning his death. This led to the construction of a 120-foot-high mausoleum. After outbidding the British Museum, he acquired an Egyptian sarcophagus intended for a princess, planning to be buried in it. However, the Duke, being taller than the average princess, worried he wouldn’t fit. He periodically lay in the sarcophagus to reassure himself. On his deathbed, still concerned about his size, he instructed his family to 'double him up' to fit. Ultimately, his feet had to be removed before burial.
6. John ‘Mad Jack’ Mytton
The second 'Mad Jack' on this list was a Regency-era gentleman infamous for his extravagant spending. When he enrolled at Cambridge University, Mytton brought two thousand bottles of port to aid his studies. Finding academics dull, he abandoned his studies to travel across Europe. After a brief military stint, he ventured into politics. To win voters, he wore a hat adorned with ten-pound notes, encouraging people to take them. Despite spending a fortune to secure his seat, his parliamentary career was notably unremarkable. He attended only one session, found it unbearably hot, and left after thirty minutes, never to return. Known for his pranks, Mytton once replaced his vicar’s sermon with pages from a sports newspaper and even rode a bear into a dining room. He maintained two thousand hounds for hunting and squandered his vast fortune on his eccentric lifestyle, ultimately dying in debt.
5. William Cavendish 5th Duke of Portland
A notorious recluse, Cavendish spent his later years in seclusion at Welbeck Abbey, the family estate. Once a public figure, he later embarked on extensive underground construction projects to enjoy in solitude. At the time of his death, thousands of workers were still laboring on these subterranean endeavors. Welbeck Abbey featured one of England’s largest ballrooms, also underground, capable of accommodating thousands—though only the Duke ever used it. Servants were strictly forbidden from acknowledging him; anyone who did was immediately dismissed. Cavendish preferred to remain in his bedroom, where meals were delivered through a slot in the door.
4. Sir George Sitwell
Sir George was not only an eccentric himself but also the father of eccentrics, including his daughter, Edith Sitwell. A sign at the family home cautioned guests:
'I must request that anyone entering the house refrain from contradicting me or disagreeing with me in any manner, as it disrupts my digestive system and prevents me from sleeping at night.'
Sir George was an avid inventor. Among his creations was a tiny pistol designed to shoot wasps mid-air, as well as a musical toothbrush. His most ambitious invention was a travel-friendly egg made of smoked meat and rice, coated with chemical lime. Unfortunately, none of his inventions gained popularity. A devoted medievalist, Sir George maintained his home in a 14th-century style. While charming at home, this caused issues for his children. He attempted to pay their school fees with farm produce and calculated their pocket money using 14th-century currency.
3. William Buckland
William Buckland, a renowned geologist, was also a zoophage—an eater of animals. However, his approach was far from ordinary. Buckland actively sought out exotic creatures to consume. His son, inspired by his father’s unusual diet, co-founded a society dedicated to introducing new animals to diversify human diets. Buckland’s culinary adventures included mice, moles, crocodiles, and even crickets. Upon hearing of a leopard’s death at a zoo, he had the animal dug up to taste it. He claimed the worst thing he ever ate was blue bottle flies. His appetite wasn’t limited to animals, though.
'Conversation about unusual relics once turned to the heart of a French king, preserved in a silver casket at Nuneham. Dr. Buckland, upon seeing it, declared, ‘I’ve eaten many strange things, but never the heart of a king.’ Before anyone could stop him, he devoured it, and the priceless relic was lost forever.'
2. Sir Francis Dashwood
Sir Francis Dashwood was a prominent 18th-century figure who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer. He is most famously remembered as the founder of the Hellfire Club, a group of pleasure-seeking gentlemen who gathered in caves he had excavated in Wycombe (which are open to visitors today). His home featured the Latin motto ‘Peno Tento Non Penitento’—‘I feel my penis, not penitent.’ The exact activities of the Hellfire Club remain shrouded in mystery, but during one mock Satanic ritual, Dashwood released a baboon dressed as the devil, causing one member to collapse in terror, pleading for mercy. Among the club’s notable visitors was Benjamin Franklin, who reportedly enjoyed walking nude through the gardens.
1. Helena Comtesse de Noailles
Helena was born into a wealthy and noble English family. After a brief marriage to the Duc de Mouchy, she remained childless. At forty, she became captivated by a portrait of a young girl. Discovering the painting had been sold, she sought to purchase the girl who had modeled for it. Once adopted, the girl was raised under Helena’s unconventional educational methods. Loose clothing was mandatory to avoid restricting circulation, and the school pond was drained to eliminate potential infections. Helena believed methane was essential for health, so she kept herds of cows nearby to provide it. A lifelong advocate of innovative health practices, she sustained herself in her later years on a diet of milk, champagne, and methane.
