The story goes that as the boat neared the dock in Antigua, the porter glanced at the label on the suitcase. He looked at the owner and asked “Are you descended from The Liberator?” The man nodded. The porter reached out his hand, shook the traveller’s hand and smiled.

If you have not heard of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, 1st Baronet of Belfield, it is likely he would not be too concerned. He was not one to court publicity or rest on his laurels; in fact, he said rather he would have good woodcock shooting than the glory of his achievements.

A keen Shot

If you can’t place him just yet, you will almost certainly have seen him – on the old £5 note. You may recall on the back of the note his sister-in-law Elizabeth Fry, the prison reformer, sitting down and