Historic England - James Starley

Born at Albourne, East Sussex, Starley ran away from his parents’ farm and lived in Lewisham in south London for a while where he worked at a sewing machine factory.  He later opened his own sewing machine company in Coventry before transferring his skills to two wheels and becoming one of the most innovative and successful builders of bicycles and tricycles, including the penny-farthing.

Places to visit

Coventry Transport Museum
Head for Coventry, once known as the 'cycling capital of the world'. Find out more about Starley and trace the history of the bicycle in the newly-opened Cyclopedia Gallery at the Transport Museum