Names on the buses

822 William Ainsworth
423 William Ainsworth

Connections with Brighton and Hove : 1805-1882 William Harrison Ainsworth was a prolific writer of the 1800s. He wrote 40 historical novels, as well as poems, essays, articles and plays. Many of his novels were first published in magazines alongside the works of his friend, Charles Dickens. In 1842 William became the editor of the successful Ainsworth's Magazine, which he owned. Originally from Manchester, William lived for 14 years in Kemp Town, Brighton, at 5 Arundel Terrace. It was here that he wrote several books, including Ovingdean Grange - A Tale of the South Downs in which Devil’s Dyke and other local landmarks are mentioned. The novel also tells of King Charles II hiding in the chimney of The Grange in Ovingdean, before escaping to France. The building dates to the 1600s and still stands in the village. His most famous work is Rockwood. It was set in Cuckfield Place, Sussex, and featured a character based on Dick Turpin, the highwayman. The novel helped create the myth of Dick Turpin as a heroic figure. William's popularity declined after accusations that his novels romanticised and even contributed to crime. He later moved to Hurstpierpoint, then Reigate where he died. William himself appears as a character in the historical novel Shark Alley: The Memoirs of a Penny-a-Liner by Stephen Carver (2016) and in Zadie Smith's novel The Fraud (2023).

822 Dennis Trident carried name since delivery in March 2000, repainted into new livery May 2005. March 2012 name transferred to new Volvo Gemini 423 on Route 1. Repainted into Regency livery April 2016. Repainted in new Regency livery April 2022.