Accommodation by Historic Figure - B
From Bach to Byron
Listings are by surname except in the case of kings, queens and other monarchs. Hotels and other accommodation marked with an asterisk (*) denotes a particularly strong connection with the specific individual. Accommodation is within the United Kingdom unless stated otherwise.
Josephine Baker: French Walery
Bach, Johann Sebastian. 1685 – 1750. German composer of classical music including famous organ works such as Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. Hotel Elephant (Germany)
Baker, Josephine. 1906 – 1975. American-born French actress, also famed for her work with the French Resistance during World War II and the American Civil Rights Movement. Hotel Randers (Denmark) | Hotel Des Indes (Netherlands) | Hotel Scribe (France)
Balfour, Arthur. 1848 – 1930. Scottish MP and Conservative Prime Minister of the United Kingdom between 1902 and 1905. Cliveden
Balzac, Honore de. 1799 – 1850. Iconic French writer whose most famous work is La Comedie humaine. * Hotel Balzac (France) | Chateau de la Ballue (France) | Hotel Porta Rossa (Italy)
Barbarossa, Frederick. 1122 – 1190. Formally referred to as Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, and particularly famed for his formidable military prowess. Torre Dei Calzolari (Italy)
Baring-Gould, Sabine. 1834 - 1924. English hymn-writer and archaeologist. Lewtrenchard Manor | Two Bridges Hotel
Barrie, J M. 1860 – 1937. Scottish writer whose most famous work is the classic children’s book Peter Pan. The Compleat Angler | The Cuilfail Hotel | Childwall Abbey
Bartok, Bela. 1881 – 1945. Hungarian composer who fled to America at the outbreak of World War II. The Albemarle Inn (USA)
Bankhead, Tallulah. 1902 – 1968. Flamboyant American actress whose work on stage and screen is often overshadowed by her alleged sexual exploits. The Compleat Angler
Baker, Josephine. 1906 – 1975. American-born French actress, also famed for her work with the French Resistance during World War II and the American Civil Rights Movement. Hotel Randers (Denmark) | Hotel Des Indes (Netherlands) | Hotel Scribe (France)
Balfour, Arthur. 1848 – 1930. Scottish MP and Conservative Prime Minister of the United Kingdom between 1902 and 1905. Cliveden
Balzac, Honore de. 1799 – 1850. Iconic French writer whose most famous work is La Comedie humaine. * Hotel Balzac (France) | Chateau de la Ballue (France) | Hotel Porta Rossa (Italy)
Barbarossa, Frederick. 1122 – 1190. Formally referred to as Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, and particularly famed for his formidable military prowess. Torre Dei Calzolari (Italy)
Baring-Gould, Sabine. 1834 - 1924. English hymn-writer and archaeologist. Lewtrenchard Manor | Two Bridges Hotel
Barrie, J M. 1860 – 1937. Scottish writer whose most famous work is the classic children’s book Peter Pan. The Compleat Angler | The Cuilfail Hotel | Childwall Abbey
Bartok, Bela. 1881 – 1945. Hungarian composer who fled to America at the outbreak of World War II. The Albemarle Inn (USA)
Bankhead, Tallulah. 1902 – 1968. Flamboyant American actress whose work on stage and screen is often overshadowed by her alleged sexual exploits. The Compleat Angler
Billy the Kid: Ben Whittick
Banks, William John. 1786 – 1855. 19th century Conservative MP most famed for his Egyptology and exploration of the Middle East. Soughton Hall
Bax, Sir Arnold. 1883 – 1953. Prolific English composer whose work includes seven symphonies and numerous pieces for chamber orchestra. White Horse of Storrington
Beethoven, Ludwig Van. 1770? – 1827. Legendary German composer whose most famous works include The Moonlight Sonata and Symphony No. 5. Konig Von Ungarn (Austria)
Belloc, Hilaire. 1870 – 1953. Anglo-French author, also noted for his political and social comment. Angel of Midhurst | White Horse of Storrington | George at Robertsbridge
Benedict XIV, Pope. 1675 – 1758. Born Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini, reigning as Pope between 1740 and 1758. Grand Hotel Majestic (Italy)
Bernhardt, Sarah. 1844 – 1923. French actress of both stage and screen, often known as “The Divine Sarah”. Du Palais Biarritz (France) | Montreux Palace Hotel (Switzerland) | Menger Hotel (USA) | The Jefferson Hotel (USA)
Berthier, Louis Alexandre. 1753 – 1815. Notable French military commander, and Chief of Staff under Napoleon. Hotel Clery (France)
Betjeman, Sir John. 1906 – 1984. British Poet Laureate from 1972 whose famous works include Summoned by Bells. Dumbleton Hall
Billy the Kid. See Bonney, William H.
Bismarck, Otto Von. 1815 – 1898. German statesman sometimes referred to as “The Iron Chancellor”. Imperial Vienna (Austria) | Du Palais Biarritz (France) | Die Hirschgasse (Germany) | Hotel Luna Convento (Italy)
Blackmore, R D. 1825 – 1900. English writer most famous for romantic fiction, including Lorna Doone. The Rising Sun
Bax, Sir Arnold. 1883 – 1953. Prolific English composer whose work includes seven symphonies and numerous pieces for chamber orchestra. White Horse of Storrington
Beethoven, Ludwig Van. 1770? – 1827. Legendary German composer whose most famous works include The Moonlight Sonata and Symphony No. 5. Konig Von Ungarn (Austria)
Belloc, Hilaire. 1870 – 1953. Anglo-French author, also noted for his political and social comment. Angel of Midhurst | White Horse of Storrington | George at Robertsbridge
Benedict XIV, Pope. 1675 – 1758. Born Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini, reigning as Pope between 1740 and 1758. Grand Hotel Majestic (Italy)
Bernhardt, Sarah. 1844 – 1923. French actress of both stage and screen, often known as “The Divine Sarah”. Du Palais Biarritz (France) | Montreux Palace Hotel (Switzerland) | Menger Hotel (USA) | The Jefferson Hotel (USA)
Berthier, Louis Alexandre. 1753 – 1815. Notable French military commander, and Chief of Staff under Napoleon. Hotel Clery (France)
Betjeman, Sir John. 1906 – 1984. British Poet Laureate from 1972 whose famous works include Summoned by Bells. Dumbleton Hall
Billy the Kid. See Bonney, William H.
Bismarck, Otto Von. 1815 – 1898. German statesman sometimes referred to as “The Iron Chancellor”. Imperial Vienna (Austria) | Du Palais Biarritz (France) | Die Hirschgasse (Germany) | Hotel Luna Convento (Italy)
Blackmore, R D. 1825 – 1900. English writer most famous for romantic fiction, including Lorna Doone. The Rising Sun
Rupert Brooke: Imp. War Mus.
Boleyn, Anne. 1501 – 1536. Second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Queen Elizabeth I, executed at the Tower of London on charges of adultery, treason and incest. *Thornbury Castle | Great Fosters
Bonaparte, Napoleon. 1769 – 1821. Military leader and French Emperor who established a European empire before defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. Hostellerie de la Poste Avallon (France) | Chateau d’Etoges (France) | Hostellerie Jerome (France) | Die Krone at Solothurn (Switzerland) | Les Trois Rois Basel (Switzerland)
Bonney, William H. 1859 – 1881. Legendary American outlaw better known as “Billy the Kid” (and whose real name was William Henry McCarty Jr) shot and killed by Pat Garrett. St. James Hotel of Cimarron (USA) | The Wortley Hotel (USA)
Bonnie Prince Charlie. See Stuart, Charles Edward
Boone, Daniel. 1734 – 1820. Frontiersman and early American folk hero most noted for his exploration of Kentucky and role in the American Revolutionary War. Old Talbott Tavern (USA)
Boswell, James. 1740 -1795. Scottish writer and diarist most famed for his Life of Samuel Johnson published in 1791. Red Lion at Henley | The Taychreggan | Prestonfield | The Castle Snug | The George Hotel of Penrith
Boudin, Eugene. 1824 – 1898. French artist most noted for his seascapes and maritime scenes. La Ferme St Simeon (France)
Braun, Eva. 1912 – 1945. Female companion (and short-lived wife) of Adolf Hitler. Imperiale Palace (Italy)
Brecht, Berthold. 1898 – 1956. Influential German theatre director and playwright. Hotel Stern of Chur (Switzerland)
Brentano, Franz. 1838 – 1917. Prominent German psychologist and philosopher. Gasthaus Goldener Hecht (Germany)
Bronte, Charlotte. 1816 – 1855. Eldest of the three literary Bronte sisters and author of Jane Eyre which was written under a pseudonym. George of Hathersage
Brooke, Rupert. 1887 – 1915. Venerated World War I poet whose work includes The Soldier which contains the famous lines “There is some corner of a foreign field”. Mermaid Inn
Brown, Lancelot. 1716 – 1783. Celebrated landscape architect often known as “Capability Brown”. Coombe Abbey
Brown, Margaret “Molly”. 1867 – 1932. American socialite most well-known for surviving the RMS Titanic disaster and her posthumous nickname “The Unsinkable Molly Brown”. Hotel Colorado (USA)
Browning, Robert. 1812 – 1889. English poet most noted for works such as Porphyria’s Lover and My Last Duchess. Hotel d’Europe of Avignon (France)
Browning, Elizabeth Barrett. 1806 – 1861. Influential English poet of the Victorian era, and wife of Robert Browning. Hotel d’Europe of Avignon (France)
Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel, Caroline of. 1768 – 1821. German-born wife of King George IV of England, also known as Caroline of Brunswick. Grand Villa d’Este (Italy)
Bryan, William Jennings. 1860 – 1925. Democratic American politician who stood for election to President on three occasions. Grove Park Inn (USA)
Burden, Jane. 1839 - 1914. Wife of the artist William Morris, and the model for the iconic painting Proserpina. *Bath Place
Burke, Edmund. 1729 – 1797. Irish polymath most known for his political philosophy. Crewe Hall
Burney, Frances "Fanny". 1752 - 1840. English novelist and diarist, most noted for her work Evelina. The Old Ship of Brighton
Burns, Robert. 1759 – 1796. Scottish poet and cultural icon best known for world-famous works such as Auld Lang Syne. Lancrigg | The Kenmore Hotel | Friar’s Carse | Golden Lion
Byron, Lord George Gordon. 1788 – 1824. Revered romantic poet also famed for his scandalous lifestyle and numerous love affairs. Saracens Head of Southwell | The Bell Inn at Stilton | Seaham Hall | Colwick Hall | Angel Posting House | The Old Ship | | The Crown of Harrogate | Hotel Porta Rossa (Italy) | Imperial Tramontano (Italy) | Hotel d’Inghilterra (Italy) | *Lawrence’s Hotel (Portugal) | Hotel Interlaken (Switzerland)
Please note that the information provided for each famous figure is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to constitute a biography. We cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies - for further information see our terms and legal section.
Bonaparte, Napoleon. 1769 – 1821. Military leader and French Emperor who established a European empire before defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. Hostellerie de la Poste Avallon (France) | Chateau d’Etoges (France) | Hostellerie Jerome (France) | Die Krone at Solothurn (Switzerland) | Les Trois Rois Basel (Switzerland)
Bonney, William H. 1859 – 1881. Legendary American outlaw better known as “Billy the Kid” (and whose real name was William Henry McCarty Jr) shot and killed by Pat Garrett. St. James Hotel of Cimarron (USA) | The Wortley Hotel (USA)
Bonnie Prince Charlie. See Stuart, Charles Edward
Boone, Daniel. 1734 – 1820. Frontiersman and early American folk hero most noted for his exploration of Kentucky and role in the American Revolutionary War. Old Talbott Tavern (USA)
Boswell, James. 1740 -1795. Scottish writer and diarist most famed for his Life of Samuel Johnson published in 1791. Red Lion at Henley | The Taychreggan | Prestonfield | The Castle Snug | The George Hotel of Penrith
Boudin, Eugene. 1824 – 1898. French artist most noted for his seascapes and maritime scenes. La Ferme St Simeon (France)
Braun, Eva. 1912 – 1945. Female companion (and short-lived wife) of Adolf Hitler. Imperiale Palace (Italy)
Brecht, Berthold. 1898 – 1956. Influential German theatre director and playwright. Hotel Stern of Chur (Switzerland)
Brentano, Franz. 1838 – 1917. Prominent German psychologist and philosopher. Gasthaus Goldener Hecht (Germany)
Bronte, Charlotte. 1816 – 1855. Eldest of the three literary Bronte sisters and author of Jane Eyre which was written under a pseudonym. George of Hathersage
Brooke, Rupert. 1887 – 1915. Venerated World War I poet whose work includes The Soldier which contains the famous lines “There is some corner of a foreign field”. Mermaid Inn
Brown, Lancelot. 1716 – 1783. Celebrated landscape architect often known as “Capability Brown”. Coombe Abbey
Brown, Margaret “Molly”. 1867 – 1932. American socialite most well-known for surviving the RMS Titanic disaster and her posthumous nickname “The Unsinkable Molly Brown”. Hotel Colorado (USA)
Browning, Robert. 1812 – 1889. English poet most noted for works such as Porphyria’s Lover and My Last Duchess. Hotel d’Europe of Avignon (France)
Browning, Elizabeth Barrett. 1806 – 1861. Influential English poet of the Victorian era, and wife of Robert Browning. Hotel d’Europe of Avignon (France)
Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel, Caroline of. 1768 – 1821. German-born wife of King George IV of England, also known as Caroline of Brunswick. Grand Villa d’Este (Italy)
Bryan, William Jennings. 1860 – 1925. Democratic American politician who stood for election to President on three occasions. Grove Park Inn (USA)
Burden, Jane. 1839 - 1914. Wife of the artist William Morris, and the model for the iconic painting Proserpina. *Bath Place
Burke, Edmund. 1729 – 1797. Irish polymath most known for his political philosophy. Crewe Hall
Burney, Frances "Fanny". 1752 - 1840. English novelist and diarist, most noted for her work Evelina. The Old Ship of Brighton
Burns, Robert. 1759 – 1796. Scottish poet and cultural icon best known for world-famous works such as Auld Lang Syne. Lancrigg | The Kenmore Hotel | Friar’s Carse | Golden Lion
Byron, Lord George Gordon. 1788 – 1824. Revered romantic poet also famed for his scandalous lifestyle and numerous love affairs. Saracens Head of Southwell | The Bell Inn at Stilton | Seaham Hall | Colwick Hall | Angel Posting House | The Old Ship | | The Crown of Harrogate | Hotel Porta Rossa (Italy) | Imperial Tramontano (Italy) | Hotel d’Inghilterra (Italy) | *Lawrence’s Hotel (Portugal) | Hotel Interlaken (Switzerland)
Please note that the information provided for each famous figure is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to constitute a biography. We cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies - for further information see our terms and legal section.