William Willett 1856 - 1915 - campaigner for Daylight Saving Time
William Willett lived most of his life in Chislehurst, Kent and worked for his fathers well known building company.
When riding his horse early one morning, Willett noted how many blinds were still down in the houses he was passing in Petts Wood due to the bright sunshine. Using his own money, in 1907 Willett published a pamphlet titled "The Waste of Daylight". He suggested that by moving the clocks forward in April and back again in September, the evenings would remain lighter for longer which would increase daylight recreation time and also save £2.5 million in lighting costs. Two years later and after campaigning in parliament with men such as Winston Churchill, the idea was still no closer to becoming reality. It was the start of World War 1 that really pushed the idea forward as Germany had already introduced the scheme. On 21st May 1916, the clocks were advanced by an hour in order to boost war production.
Willett did not live to see Daylight Saving Time become law as he died of Influenza in 1915.
There is a sundial in Petts Wood, set permanently to Daylight Saving Time to commemorate him and his house is marked with a Blue Plaque. His body rests in St Nicholas' Churchyard, Chislehurst.
Willett is also the great-great-grandfather of the Coldplay singer, Chris Martin....as if he hadn't contributed enough!
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