It is not only the landscape that can make a place impressive, but also the people who have lived there and who shape it with their culture and deeds. This list is not complete, but includes some of the names that have made their mark on the English town of Deal in Kent.

• The Roman conqueror, Julius Caesar, landed on the beach with his fleet of ships at Deal and Walmer in 55 BC. C. and the first historical appearance and description of Deal is described in his book.
• King Henry V111 made his mark by building and sometimes living in three Tudor castles during the 16th century, two of which still stand on the coast. He built them as coastal forts to protect Britain from Spain and France and they are still popular tourist spots today.
• Lord Nelson often frequented The Royal Hotel in the 18th century, which still operates today as a busy hotel and restaurant overlooking the sea. He attended the funeral at Deal of his close friend, Captain Edward Parker, who was buried at St George’s Church. A street in the Deal Historic Conservation Area is named after Nelson.
• Charles Dickens visited the Deal and wrote a favorable description of the boatmen and mentions it in chapter XLV of Bleak House.
• The diarist Samuel Pepys describes the town in 1660, after several visits, as “pitiful”.
• Jane Austen mentions the town in chapter 8 of her book Persuasion, when she says that one of her characters was only sick when she went there as she was left without her husband while patrolling the North Sea.
• Norman Wisdom lived in Deal for a time in a children’s home, until at age 11 he ran away, but returned to become an errand boy at a grocery store. Although he did not stay long, he maintained connections with the town throughout his life, especially keeping in touch with his sister-in-law who still lives there. Today a monument is being erected in his honor.
• Several talented musicians live and have lived in Deal. Recent X-Factor contestant Kieran Gaffney, 13, lives in the city and attends the local school when he’s not chasing his newfound success as an up-and-coming drummer.
• Another talented local drummer is Nick Harrington, a professional percussion tutor and performer in his up-and-coming Swing and Jive Band “Goosebumps.”