East Budleigh's most famous son, Sir Walter Ralegh (also spelt Raleigh), lived a very full life. Born in 1554 (or thereabouts), he was destined for fame and fortune and, ultimately...the chop. His main occupation was as a seafarer and explorer, but he wasn't averse to the odd bit of piracy. He managed to wangle his way into Queen Elizabeth I's favoured circle. The Queen saw use of him as a politician and sent him to Ireland to suppress an uprising. He once, famously - according to legend - laid down his cloak so the Queen did not have to step into a muddy puddle. But it was his trip to the New World in 1585 which really endeared him to the Queen. His ship landed on the east coast of America, and Ralegh named the area Virginia, after the Virgin Queen. Following his expeditions, he returned with tobacco and potatoes - which he took great delight in presenting to the Queen, who knighted him. Ralegh apparently believed that smoking tobacco was a cure for coughing! He also built a ship called Ark Ralegh, which he gave to the Queen. She re-named it Ark Royal, which was the flagship during the spat with the Spanish Armada. The name continues in the Royal Navy. Unfortunately for Ralegh, the Queen demanded 100% attention - and she never forgave him for getting married. Ralegh and his wife were sent to the Tower for punishment. Worse was to come...Elizabeth's successor, James I, didn't like or trust him and he had him beheaded for treason in 1618.

His violent end didn't stop him being commemorated with a statue outside the Ministry of Defence building in London. The statue was taken down in 2001, and its new resting place is the former Royal Naval College at Greenwich - despite a campaign by the people of East Budleigh for the statue to be brought "home" to the East Devon village.

Sir Joshua Reynolds was the most successful portrait painter of his era and became a founder and first president of the Royal Academy. He was born in Plympton St Maurice, just outside Plymouth, on 16th July 1723, the son of a clergyman. He quickly displayed artistic talents, and served his apprenticeship in London under Thomas Hudson - who was also from Devon. The young Joshua went to London at the age of 17, but only stayed there for two years before returning home. He worked at Plymouth waterfront, where he painted portraits. He went backwards and forwards between London and Plymouth before setting off on his travels in 1749 to the Mediterranean and then to Italy. He didn't have the best of luck. First, he fell off his horse and sustained a scar for life on his lip. And, while in Italy, he had an awful cold which caused him to go deaf. When he returned to England in 1753, Joshua set up base in London, where his well-to-do contacts enabled him to paint portraits of leading figures and wealthy families. But in those days paintings by major artists weren't really accessible to the general public, so Joshua had an idea to open a museum with the help of other leading artists. King George III also thought it was a great idea and he gave it backing, and so The Royal Academy was born in 1768.