Alexander Alekhine was a Russian chess player. After taking a law degree, entered the Russian Foreign Office, and served in the Red Cross in the First World War. He won the world record for blindfold chess and held championships of the world record from 1927 until his death, except for 1935-37. He was born in 1892 and wrote many books on chess. He died in 1946.

Francis Dodd (R.A.) Artist. He studied at the Glasgow School of Art, and was an official artist of the First World War. His portraits of generals and admirals on active service were published in 1917, and two of his works are in the Tate Gallery, of which he was a trustee from 1929-35. He was born in 1874.

Myra Hess (later Dame) was born in London. She studied the piano at the Royal Academy of Music, passing her first examination at the age of seven. Later her fine renderings of some of the earlier classics, such as Bach, Mozart, and others, brought her world-wide success as a pianist. She was born in 1890.

Jan Ignaz Paderewski was a Polish patriot, politician and pianist. He made his musical debut at Vienna in 1887, and in London three years later. His brilliant technique won him world fame, and he made tours and raised funds for Polish sufferers in the First World War. He was born in 1860 and became premier of Poland in 1919.

Paavo Nurmi was a Finnish runner. He broke the world records for the mile, 1923: two miles, 1931: five miles, 1924: six miles, 1930: ten miles. He won many Olympic victories, but was barred from the Olympic games in 1932 owing to his professional status. He was born in 1897.

Anna Pavlova was a Russian ballet-dancer, born in St. Petersburg, and made her debut there at the Imperial Opera House, afterwards becoming the foremost ballet-dancer in Europe. Her London debut was in 1909, and later she toured America. In her lifetime she appeared many times with the Diaghileff Ballet Company. She was born in 1885.