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One of Edinburgh's most famous sons, Alexander Graham Bell was a famous inventor, scientist and engineer who is credited with patenting the first practical telephone. He also co-founded the American Telephone and Telegraph Company in 1885. He lived from 1847-1922 when he died in Canada aged 75. The family home was at South Charlotte Street, and has a stone inscription marking it as Bell's birthplace. Many other inventions marked Bell's later life, including groundbreaking work in optical telecommunications, hydrofoils, and aeronautics. Bell also had a strong influence on the National Geographic Society and its magazine while serving as the second president from January 7, 1898, until 1903.One of Edinburgh's most famous sons, Alexander Graham Bell was a famous inventor, scientist and engineer who is credited with patenting the first practical telephone. He also co-founded the American Telephone and Telegraph Company in 1885. He lived from 1847-1922 when he died in Canada aged 75. The family home was at South Charlotte Street, and has a stone inscription marking it as Bell's birthplace. Many other inventions marked Bell's later life, including groundbreaking work in optical telecommunications, hydrofoils, and aeronautics. Bell also had a strong influence on the National Geographic Society and its magazine while serving as the second president from January 7, 1898, until 1903.
One of Edinburgh's most famous sons, Alexander Graham Bell was a famous inventor, scientist and engineer who is credited with patenting the first practical telephone. He also co-founded the American Telephone and Telegraph Company in 1885. He lived from 1847-1922 when he died in Canada aged 75. The family home was at South Charlotte Street, and has a stone inscription marking it as Bell's birthplace. Many other inventions marked Bell's later life, including groundbreaking work in optical telecommunications, hydrofoils, and aeronautics. Bell also had a strong influence on the National Geographic Society and its magazine while serving as the second president from January 7, 1898, until 1903.

15 of the most famous faces from Edinburgh, from Alexander Graham Bell to Arthur Conan Doyle

Our first look at the 150 most popular Edinburgh faces from the past 150 years
Kevin Quinn
By Kevin Quinn
Published 29th May 2023, 04:45 GMT
Updated 29th May 2023, 12:22 GMT

As part of the 150th anniversary of the Edinburgh Evening News, we’ve taken a look at the 150 most famous faces to have emerged from the Capital in the past 150 years.

In alphabetical order, we will be looking at the most popular names from Edinburgh over the coming days, to mark 150 years since the Evening News was first published in 1873. In this first installment, from A-B, we delve into the lives and careers of some of the Capital’s most well known faces, including the inventor of the telephone Alexander Graham Bell, Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle and children’s author Aileen Paterson who brought Maisie the cat MacKenzie to the world. We also shine the spotlight on Scotland’s biggest ever music stars The Bay City Rollers, Olympic champion runner Allan Wells and a penguin from Edinburgh Zoo who is the mascot and colonel-in-chief of the Norwegian King's Guard.

Uniformed soldiers of the King of Norway's Guard are pictured above on parade for inspection by their mascot, Olav, who was awarded a knighthood in 2008, at Edinburgh Zoo, as they announced the penguin's promotion and new title of Brigadier Sir Nils Olav. The prestigious title was awarded during a special ceremony in 2016 which was attended by over 50 uniformed soldiers of His Majesty the King of Norway's Guard, who are taking part in The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo this year. Sir Nils paraded his way up Penguin Walk, whilst inspecting the soldiers of the Guard. The regal, black, white and yellow bird is the mascot of His Majesty the King of Norway's Guard and his honour is approved by King Harald V of Norway.

13. Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III

Uniformed soldiers of the King of Norway's Guard are pictured above on parade for inspection by their mascot, Olav, who was awarded a knighthood in 2008, at Edinburgh Zoo, as they announced the penguin's promotion and new title of Brigadier Sir Nils Olav. The prestigious title was awarded during a special ceremony in 2016 which was attended by over 50 uniformed soldiers of His Majesty the King of Norway's Guard, who are taking part in The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo this year. Sir Nils paraded his way up Penguin Walk, whilst inspecting the soldiers of the Guard. The regal, black, white and yellow bird is the mascot of His Majesty the King of Norway's Guard and his honour is approved by King Harald V of Norway. Photo: Jane Barlow/ PA

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Brigit Forsyth is an 82-year-old Edinburgh actress, best known for her roles as Thelma Ferris in the BBC comedy Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? and Helen Yeldham in the ITV drama Boon. From 2013 to 2019, she also appeared in the BBC comedy Still Open All Hours. She has also appeared in The Bill, Doctor Who, Dr Finlay's Casebook, Wycliffe, Agatha Christie's Poirot and Coronation Street. She is pictured above with actor Rodney Bewes, sitting on a sofa holding hands, in a scene from the television show 'Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?', September 17th 1972.

14. Brigit Forsyth

Brigit Forsyth is an 82-year-old Edinburgh actress, best known for her roles as Thelma Ferris in the BBC comedy Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? and Helen Yeldham in the ITV drama Boon. From 2013 to 2019, she also appeared in the BBC comedy Still Open All Hours. She has also appeared in The Bill, Doctor Who, Dr Finlay's Casebook, Wycliffe, Agatha Christie's Poirot and Coronation Street. She is pictured above with actor Rodney Bewes, sitting on a sofa holding hands, in a scene from the television show 'Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?', September 17th 1972. Photo: Radio Times/ Getty

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