Contributions to world culture.

1.3.1. Britain has been important in the arts throughout modern times. Plays, novels, stories and, most recently, screenplays from Britain have been admired throughout the world. British contributions to literature are remarkable in their richness, variety, and consistency. The names of William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens are universally known. At the end of the XX century, the phenomenal success of the Harry Potter books written by Joanne Rowling made her one of the richest women in the world. Britain can also claim several artists and composers of note, including composer Sir Edward Elgar, as well as such popular artists as Arthur Lloyd Weber and John Lennon.

1.3.2. When we speak about British architecture it needs to be mentioned that some of the oldest examples of British architecture include a few Anglo-Saxon buildings. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, they built the White Tower, which is part of the Tower of London, and the castle, cathedral, and monastery complex at Durham. Sir Christopher Wren, Britain’s greatest architect helped in the rebuilding of the city, after the Great Fire of London in 1666. Wren designed 52 new churches in London. Many of his churches still stand. The grandest of them is Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London. In the 18th century few English buildings followed the ornate patterns of the baroque and rococo architectures used in Europe.

1.3.3. During the Victorian era Britain became the world’s first urban, industrialized society, and a vast middle class developed. Its way of life became a trademark of Britain. The British say “My home is my castle” and they are all in it. British houses are made with concrete blocks or concrete-like building materials because the dampness of the climate causes wood to rot. Central heating is now widespread; previously, individual fires or heating devices were used. The British tend to socialize by joining clubs and hobby groups. The local public house, or pub, serves alcoholic beverages and is an important gathering place, particularly for the working class. Politeness is a hallmark of British society.

1.3.4. Sports are important, and an estimated 29 million people participate in a variety of sports, including football (soccer), rugby, cricket, tennis, polo, horse racing, field hockey, and croquet. Many more are spectators of professional sports. Cricket is considered the national game of England, cricket is also popular in countries that were formerly British colonies. Fishing is popular, but the few people who take up hunting come under considerable criticism for doing so. Reading, music, culture, and the arts are pursued zealously by countless millions. The authoritative and soothing tones of BBC radio and television broadcasts and news reporting inform British people and others worldwide. The development of the powerful cultural medium – the modern computer – owes much to the work of the XIX century scientist Charles Babbage. Some twenty years ago, British Professor Tim Berners-Lee developed the World Wide Web.

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