John Sangster was born On This Day 24th November 1811

The Sangster family were umbrella makers and lived at the "Paragon" in Streatham Hill. Samuel founded the company in 1777 and as early as 1786 was trading from Fleet Street. His sons William and John took over the business from their father.

The brothers called one their umbrellas 'Paragon"

The company supplied umbrellas to the Royal Family and operated from 4 West End locations
Paragon advertisement in C. Dickens, Bleak House, 1852

On This Day 23 November 1765 Thomas Attwood was born

Attwood lived at "Woodbury" in Norbury Hill , close to Biggin Wood.
The son of a musician in the royal band, Attwood was born in London, probably in Pimlico. At the age of nine he became a chorister in the Chapel Royal, where he received training in music from James Nares and Edmund Ayrton. In 1783 he was sent to study abroad at the expense of the Prince of Wales (afterwards King George IV), who had been favourably impressed by his skill at the harpsichord

In 1796 he was chosen as the organist of St Paul's Cathedral, and in the same year he was made composer of the Chapel Royal. His court connection was further confirmed by his appointment as musical instructor to the Duchess of York, and afterwards to the Princess of Wales.
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In addition to his commitments at St Paul's, at court, and in the theatre, Attwood also found time for private instrumental teaching of a relatively lowly nature. Stevens records that Attwood took over his pupils at Mrs Ray's school, Streatham, in 1800, and his private pupils in 1805. In his leisure hours he was active in the glee clubs, which provided opportunities for dining and sociable singing in the company of his fellow musicians. He was a member of the Harmonists' Society, where he was for many years Stevens's deputy as conductor, and of the Concentores Sodales.
(extracts from Philip Olleson)

The following is an extract from John Brown of the Society
"...the favourite pupil of Mozart and a famous organist of St Paul's. It was whilst driving from here (Woodbury) to London that he composed his well-known "Coronation Anthem". He composed many pieces and was an intimate friend of Mendelssohn"
Plaque in Cheyne Walk where he later lived and he is buried at St Paul's Cathedral in the crypt under the organ

On This Day 22 November 2005 Ken Mackintosh died.

He lived with his wife Elsie at 26 Streatham Common South. He also had his rehearsal rooms in Streatham

Kenneth Victor Mackintosh, saxophonist and band-leader: born Liversedge, Yorkshire 4 August 1919; married 1944 Elsie Burton (died 1986; one son, one daughter); died Mitcham, Surrey 22 November 2005.
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( Image below courtesy Kevin Kelly: Ken Mackintosh 2002 at the Rookery)

The actor Paul England died On This Day 21st November 1968
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Born in Streatham as Albert Shirley Janes to Edwin and Mary Janes who ran the Greyhound pub and lived at "Chesterfield House" in the High Road (now the site of the Odeon) and also later lived at Streatham Common South.