Sir Rowland Hill

December 3 is Sir Rowland Hill's birthday!

Sir Rowland Hill was not only a teacher and an inventor but a postal reformer as well. He was a man ahead of his time.

We stamp collectors have a lot to thank Sir Rowland Hill who was born in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England in 1795. His efforts for postal reforms led to the issuance in May 1840 of the Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp.

As a tribute to the inventor of the postage stamp, different post offices worldwide always come out with issues featuring him. Above photo is a first day cover of an August 22, 1979 commemorative issue released by Great Britain to celebrate the death centenary of Hill.

Read more about him here.