Local residents who were invited by Bath-based law firm Mogers to vote for their ‘greatest Bathonian’ can now find out who won the prestigious title.
Options for members of the public to choose included writer Jane Austen, painter Thomas Gainsborough, musician Peter Gabriel or the legendary master of ceremonies in Georgian Bath, Beau Nash.
Other Bathonians up for the greatest title were Sir Roger Bannister, Ralph Allen, Sir William Herschel and John Wood, the elder.
The people of Bath were invited to vote for their Greatest Bathonian by city law firm Mogers, which has been in the city since 1852.
The overwhelming winner was yesterday announced as the Georgian architect John Wood, the elder, who designed Queen Square in which Mogers is based.
Steven Treharne, Managing Partner, said: “John Wood the elder, polled nearly three times as many votes as his nearest challenger which was Jane Austen.
“John Wood’s architectural brilliance gave us the city we all love today with The Circus completed after his death by his son John Wood the younger. John Wood the elder is certainly a worthy winner.
“But in truth all of those on the shortlist are such a part of Bath’s history that their names will always be entwined with the city and will continue to help Bath grow as a destination to visit but also as a place to live and work.
“The debate on who is our Greatest Bathonian will no doubt continue; it started as a casual conversation between our partners and widened to involve thousands who live in the city and I know that it caused many discussions in workplaces and homes.”
Tell Mogers if you agree on Twitter @mogerslaw and use the official hashtag #GreatBathonian
