Image of the Month: September 2003

Luncheon Party for distinguished French and English Aviators at the House of Commons, 1909. (HC/LB/1/111/20/88)

The photograph features:

Back row, left to right: Sir Alliott Vernon-Roe, George Renwick (MP), John Martin (Daily Telegraph), Mr Robins (press), Dr Macnamara, Mr Renwick Jnr, Sir Reginald Ambrose Cave-Browne-Cave, T P O'Connor (MP), Hon Charles S Rolls, Hon William Lygon, Dr Lockyer.

Front row, left to right: Edward Purkis Frost, Louis Bleriot, Samuel Cody, William Du Cros (MP), Frank Hedges Butler and Colonel Massy.

Louis Bleriot (1872-1936) is probably the most well known person in this picture. He was an aviator who made the world's first over-the-ocean flight in a heavier-than-air craft in July 1909 when he crossed the English Channel in a monoplane.

Also featured are: Frank Hedges Butler (1855-1928), who was a balloonist and pioneer of flying; Charles S Rolls (1877-1910), who was an engineer and aviator; and Samuel Cody (1861-1913), who was a cowboy, showman and areonautical pioneer.