MONOVIAN CELEBRITIES.
1.-George Monoux

Our hearts are full of confidence that at last our hopes regarding a new school building may materialise into something practical. At last the Essex County Council has awakened to the fact that the present building is totally unfit for scholastic purposes, and it is hoped that the new building will be completed by the year 1927, the four hundredth anniversary of the foundation of the School.
Thus, at a time when the School is likely to enter upon a new phase in its history, it would not be inappropriate if a brief account were included in these pages of the life and work of George Monoux, whose name has come down to us throughout four centuries as the founder of our School, and as one of the most generous benefactors of Walthamstow.
This worthy Tudor gentleman was born in 1477, and died about the year 1543. He became a wealthy and influential citizen of London, and we may well judge of the esteem and respect with which he was regarded by the City authorities, when we consider the number of important public services which he performed during his lifetime.
Alderman of Bassishaw from 1507--1541, and Sheriff of the City of London in 1509-10, Monoux was Lord Mayor in 1514-15, and in 1523 was elected M.P. for the City of London.
It must not be thought that Walthamstow was the sole sphere of George Monoux's philanthropic activities, for the City of London derived considerable benefit from his generosity. The chief of these benefactions was the sale of some of his city property, to help Sir Richard Gresham's project for establishing a city "Burse."
During the early years of his life George Monoux lived in London, but in the opening years of the sixteenth century he took up residence upon his estate of "Moones," in Moones Lane, or, as we know it, Billet Lane. No doubt when Monoux lived at "Moones," the district presented a delightfully rural picture. Since, his day, however, it has sadly degenerated, but perhaps the association with it of such an estimable personality, will in some measure compensate for its singular lack of picturesqueness,
In George Monoux we have a delightful picture of the Tudor gentleman who displayed a keen interest in the welfare of his fellow parishioners. He provided his tenants with a constant supply of fine spring water, and built a large room in the Churchyard, in which parish feasts and wedding dinners could be held.
However, the great work of Monoux's life was the restoration of St. Mary's Church, and the founding of the Grammar School and Almshouses; the foundation of such institutions was a common practice amongst wealthy London citizens of the Tudor period. For the purpose of founding the School and Almshouses, Monoux left to his Trustees some of his property in London and the suburbs. This realised about £50 annually, and from this money the Trustees were to keep in repair the Chapel and Almshouses which Monoux had built, and to pay out about £48 for various expenses connected with their upkeep, amongst which was the payment of £6 13s. 4d. to an honest priest, who should keep the Free School for young children.
Such were the modest proportions and humble surroundings of the Monoux School when it was commenced. It has passed through many vicissitudes, and in spite of many unfortunate drawbacks, has worthily continued the work so admirably begun by its Founder.
Every age has had its famous names, and the age of the Tudors is particularly rich in them. Though George Monoux does not rank so high in history as Drake or Shakespeare, yet he will long be remembered by us as a man, who, by the lasting benefits of his works, left Walthamstow better than he found it.
J.H.P. (VIth).