Gloucester is not short of household names, such as Dick Whittington and Jemmy Wood, the latter of whom is believed to be the inspiration for the character Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Robert Raikes, the founder of the Sunday school movement, and John Stafford Smith, who wrote the Star Spangled Banner, now the US national anthem, are also from the city.

Henley, however, is not as well known said Paul James, chairman of the Friends of St Mary de Crypt.

He explained: “He’s not one of the most well-known people to come out of Gloucester and maybe he’s not as well-known as he should be. We are trying to correct this.”

Henley, who was born on Eastgate Street in Gloucester in 1849, inspired many people around the world with his poem Invictus, Mr James said.

“It was read every day by Nelson Mandela when he was in captivity on Robben Island.

“It has also been quoted over the years by Winston Churchill and Barack Obama to name a few.”