Royal Mail celebrates 10 Remarkable Lives born in 1914 in new stamp set

Royal Mail honours 10 famous people for their remarkable achievement and contribution to their respective industry.

15:54 24 March 2014

A collection of 10 stamps featuring remarkable people who have contributed and succeeded in their respective fields has been released by the Royal Mail.

The black and white images feature portraits of sportsmen, actors, writers and an even a spy.

Andrew Hammond, Royal Mail's director of stamps and collectibles, said: "The Remarkable Lives stamp issue creates a great sense of history, and captures both the achievement and endeavour of these exceptional people."

Sir Alec Guinness (1914 – 2000)

Sir Alec is a notable English actor who is best known for his six collaborations with David Lean which include The Bridge on the River Kwai, Great Expectations, and Oliver Twist. In 1957, he won the Academy for Best Actor for his role in The Bridge on the River Kwai and was nominated for several acting awards.

Dylan Thomas (1914-1953)

He is dubbed as the finest writer to have come from Wales. His most celebrated works include Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, Under Milk Wood, Fern Hill, and A Child’s Christmas in Wales.

Joe Mercer (1914-1990)

Joe Mercer is a notable English football player and manager. He captained the Gunners to two league titles and became England caretake manager who took over from World Cup winner Sir Alf Ramsey.

Abram Games 91914 – 1996)

He is considered one of the most talented poster artists on the 20th Century. He produced propaganda posters for the government during WW2 as well as advertising images for building societies and oil companies.

Joan Littlewood (1914 – 2002)

Joan Littlewood is a notable English theatre director. Dubbed as “the mother of modern theatre” she is best known for her work in developing the left-wing Theatre Workshop. Among her greatest works was Oh What a Lovely War.

Roy Plomley (1914-1985)

Roy Plomley is a noted producer, radio broadcaster, playwright, and novelist. Born in Surrey, he was the chairman of BBC Radio’s game show Many a Slip.

Max Perutz (1914-2002)

Max Perutz is an Austrian-born scientist, who became the Commander of the British Empire. He also won the Nobel prize for chemistry in 1962.

Noor Inayat Khan (1914-1944)

She was an allied SOE agent during WW2. She was awarded the highest civilian decoration in the United Kingdom. Dubbed as the “Spy Princess”, she was imprisoned, tortured, and eventually shot after she was sent into occupied France to help the resistance.

Barbara Ward (1914 – 1981)

She founded the International Institute for Environment and Development in 1971 and urged rich countries to share their wealth to the poor.

Kenneth Moore (1914 1982)

Kenneth Moore is a stage and film actor who was very popular throughout 1950s and is considered one of the British cinema greats.