Joseph Chamberlain

Chamberlain is one of Birmingham's towering figures. Born in Camberwell, London he came to Birmingham at 18 to work at his uncles factory making screws.

He went on to become dominant on the British political scene for over 25 years. He entered Birmingham Town Council in 1867 and was elected Mayor in 1873 and he held that office for three successive years.

He was married three times and his son by his second marriage was Neville Chamberlain who was also Birmingham Lord Mayor as well as going on to become the British Prime Minister.

The Chamberlain family home was the Victorian gothic house Highbury in Moseley.

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Louisa Ryland

One of Birmingham’s great benefactors and philanthropists, having previously donated funds for the purchase of Aston Park and Victoria Park, Small Heath, Louisa Ryland donated her own estate in Moseley to the Corporation of Birmingham for a large public park. She would not permit it to be named Ryland Park and requested that it be opened without ceremony or fanfare.

Cannon Hill Park remains today the flagship of the city's vast park system, 80 acres incorporating a children's playground, a bowling green, a miniature golf course, tennis courts, a boating lake, nature trails, and a garden with a greenhouse filled with tropical plants. The Midland Arts Centre, also in the park, comprises a theatre, art gallery, restaurant and bookshop.
The park adjoins the world-famous Edgbaston Cricket Grounds.

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J.R.R. Tolkien

J. R. R. Tolkien spent many of his early years in Moseley with his family living in many properties around the area, amongst them being in Church Road, Chantry Road, Wake Green Road and Cotton Lane. He went on to Oxford University  (Merton College) where he was the Professor of English Language and Literature. 

Having lived close to Sarehole Mill in Hall Green and Moseley Bog it is believed that these locations were the inspiration for the Shire in The Lord of the Rings.

To celebrate Tolkiens connection with Moseley a 'Middle Earth Weekend' is held each year. More details here

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