City celebrating the poet who inspired world leaders

William Ernest Henley was born in Gloucester 175 years ago

Historians in Gloucester are trying to raise awareness of one of the city's most influential residents.

William Ernest Henley's work has inspired world leaders, royalty and even a Hollywood movie.

Best known for writing the poem Invictus, Henley is also believed to have been the inspiration for the character Long John Silver, in Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island.

Pupils from The Crypt School are taking part in an event on Friday evening to celebrate his life, 175 years after he was born in Gloucester.

There is a plaque to honour the birthplace of WE Henley in Gloucester

Gloucester has no shortage of well known names, such as Dick Whittington and Jemmy Wood, with the latter thought to be the inspiration for the character Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Robert Raikes, the founder of the Sunday School movement, and John Stafford Smith who wrote the Star Spangled Banner, now the US national anthem, are also from the city.

Henley, however, is not as well known said Paul James, chairman of the Friends of St Mary de Crypt.

He explained: "He's not one of the best known people to have come from Gloucester and perhaps not as well known as he should be. We're trying to put that right."

Henley, who was born on Eastgate Street in Gloucester in 1849, inspired many people around the world through his poem Invictus, said Mr James.

"It was read each day by Nelson Mandela when he was in captivity at Robben Island.

"It has also been quoted over the years by Winston Churchill and Barack Obama, to name a few."

Henley's poem inspired Prince Harry to create the Invictus Games in 2014

His poem inspired the 2009 film Invictus, starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, which told the story of South Africa winning the Rugby World Cup in 1995.

It also helped lead the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, to create the Invictus Games, with the first event taking place in London in 2014.

Henley is thought to be the inspiration for one of the main characters in the book Treasure Island.

Mr James said: "Henley suffered from tuberculosis and lost one of his legs, hence the inspiration for Long John Silver.

"But it was his battles with his health which inspired him to write Invictus, which is all about overcoming adversity.

"So you have the very serious message about strength and adversity with Invictus, and then the slightly more light hearted connection with Long John Silver."

'Personal connection'

Pupils from The Crypt School, where a school house is still named after Henley, will be paying their own tributes to the author and poet on Friday.

The school's director of drama, George Roberts, said: "What's really cool about this project is that it's happening at St Mary de Crypt, which is where the school started. It almost feels like we're going back to our roots.

"We have created a piece where we perform the very first act from Treasure Island. The pupils asked why we chose this, we explained the links and they were really excited about it.

"They feel a personal connection to him."

A Celebration of WE Henley will take place at St Mary de Crypt in Southgate Street, Gloucester, from 19:00 GMT.

It will raise funds to support the building and its activities.