Is this the most eccentric man in Britain?
Britain is still such an odd, old-fashioned nation. It’s the kind of place where a royal wedding can still bring the country to a halt (oh yeh, it’s today).
The British have a great tolerance for eccentricity and we embrace oddity in a rather charming way whether it is media personalities like Russell Brand or politicians like Dennis Skinner. Today I want to introduce you to someone you’ve never heard of who may be the most eccentric person in British public life.
So, what does it takes to be truly eccentric?
- An odd name is a good start. The Third Viscount Monckton of Brenchley fits the bill. He is otherwise know as Christopher Walter Monckton.
- An odd appearance helps. He has protruding eyeballs. This is not his fault – it is the result of a prolonged illness called Graves’ Disease.
- Some real talent is desirable. He is a really bright guy who obtained his first degree from Cambridge University and he has developed two incredibly complicated geometric puzzles called Eternity and Eternity II. He is a very accomplished public speaker and media performer.
- A sense of charm and humour is welcome. He is warm and witty and immensely sociable.
- Most of all, strange, idiosyncratic and iconoclastic views are essential. He is a leading Eurosceptic who wants the UK out of the European Union. He has developed something called Resurrexi which he claims can cure all sorts of diseases. Above all, he is a passionate denier of the argument that human activity is causing dangerous levels of global warming.
You can read more about my nomination here.
April 30th, 2011 at 8:23 am
The US media noted that Mr. Bean was at the Abbey, and showed him attempting to stifle a yawn. It was thought that he is the most eccentric man in Britain.
There are also loonies on the other side of the pond. Take eccentric m/billionaire Donald Trump, Birther Conspiratist extraordinaire, who has lost his main issue for a place on the world stage, now that President Obama brought forth the official, long form of his Birth Certificate from Hawaii. Trump has decided that he will now spend some time teaching the newlywed prince the secrets of how to maintain a full head of hair 🙂
April 30th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
But, David, Donald Trump does not have the charm or the intelligence required of a true eccentric.
May 2nd, 2011 at 4:58 pm
My nomination is Sir Patrick Alfred Caldwell-Moore. OK, so everyone has heard of him – but that doesn’t preclude him from being one of the most eccentric people in Britain (according to your criteria!).
May 2nd, 2011 at 5:17 pm
A good nomination, Ian, but I’m not sure Patrick Moore meets my final criterion of having “strange, idiosyncratic and iconoclastic views”. I’m not convinced that Eurosceptism and a love of cats does it.