Walk along Canterbury High Street and you'll find the Beaney House of Art & Knowledge. Behind its name is a man who lived a life so colourful that 'Diamond Jim' hardly seems an extravagant nickname.
James George Beaney was born in Canterbury in 1828 into a working-class family. His father died when James was only two.
He trained in medicine and surgery before leaving for Australia in 1852. In Melbourne he became a prominent and controversial surgeon.
Beaney was impossible to miss. He wore diamond studs, heavy rings and a gold watch, earning the nicknames 'Diamond Jim' and 'Champagne Jimmy'.
He also had some startling medical habits by modern standards. Records show that in August 1883, while treating 63 patients at Melbourne Hospital, he prescribed large quantities of brandy, ale or porter and even champagne.
Beaney became wealthy and famous in Australia, yet he never forgot Canterbury.
When he died in Melbourne in 1891, his will included gifts to causes in Australia, London and his home city. Most significantly for Canterbury, he left £10,000 towards establishing the Beaney Institute for the Education of the Working Man.
The building that carries his name still stands on Canterbury High Street today.
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