Hubert Latham, French pioneer pilot, c 1909

Hubert Latham, French pioneer pilot, c 1909. Photograph of Hubert Latham (1883-1912) at the controls of one of his aeroplanes. After completing his military service in France, Latham and his cousin Jacques Faure travelled across the English Channel in a air balloon, inspiring Latham to compete to be the first person to fly across the English Channel in a monoplane. After failing in his first attempt Latham was beaten by the French aviator Louis Bleriot in 1909. The same year Latham won a trophy for achieving the highest altitude in a monoplane. He also set the world record for staying aloft in a monoplane for the longest time by lasting an hour and seven minutes. In 1812 Latham was killed by a wild buffalo whilst out hunting in Africa. ©SSPL/Science Museum