Carry aykroyd biography for kids

It’s one of the greatest books ever written about the capital. Peter Ackroyd’s London: The Biography (2000) is a sprawling tome that explores our city’s past through themed chapters. I owe this book a great debt. It first set me off on what became a lifelong obsession with the city. As it approaches its quarter-century, I’ve re-read the whole thing to see how it’s aged with time.

***And I’ve also mapped it.***

Yup, every single street, building, station, park and “noisome alley” that Ackroyd mentions within the ~900 pages. I’m not even sure why. It’s just an urge with me. But the results, I hope, will be of interest to those who also adore the book.

Welcome to the most intensely geeky edition yet of Londonist: Time Machine…

But first, two announcements…

📣📣 Thanks everyone for all your support and lovely comments. We’ve been blown away by how many people read this newsletter each week. We’re now eight months old, and it’s been an absolute blast writing these features and watching the reaction. Now feels like the right time to make a few minor tweaks to make the newsletter even better. This Wednesday newsletter will continue as ever, with an in-depth topic from London’s history. There may be occasions (like school holidays) when I take a week off to spend some time exploring the city with my kids… then again, I might still be able to fit it in… we’ll have to see.

For paying subscribers, as mentioned last week, your Friday newsletter will be a little different from now on. I was getting a bit restless with the “5 Historical Quirks to spot in…” format. It was starting to feel formulaic. So instead expect a short newsletter on whatever historical nugget has tickled my fancy over the past week. Sometimes this might relate to a new exhibition or item in the news, other times it’ll be something entirely whimsical, and sometimes (like this week) I’ll use it to go into a bit more depth on the Wednesday topic. Much more fun!

We’ll also be taking

I grew up adoring actor Dan Aykroyd. He was just amazing as a comedic actor. His portrayal in Ghostbusters? Brilliant! And the Blues Brothers is an all-time classic.

But did you know that Dan Aykroyd is proudly on the autism spectrum?

Keep in mind that Dan Aykroyd was born in 1952 in Ottawa, Canada. This was the Dark Ages for autism. This was when doctors absolutely knew that “Refrigerator Moms” caused autism by not caring enough for their children. Either you were a non-verbal case, which in those days meant you were tossed into an institution and the key was melted down, or you were a “struggling to get by” person, where you were left to fend for yourself.

Many children barely survived. Dan clung to religion as his salvation. All the way up to age 17, he thought he would be a priest. His childhood was challenged by both Asperger’s and Tourette’s syndromes. Few people at this time understood him.

But he was fortunate to be in Ottawa and to love music. He hung out at the Owl Club and played drums. He was able to play with many famous musicians simply by being present and having those skills. It drew him in and helped him feel included. It gave him a sense that he was safe on stage.

In 1969, when he was 17, he joined a sketch comedy series. In 1973 he joined Second City.

In 1975, at the tender age of 23, he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live with John Belushi. Together they created the Blues Brothers.

Still image of Dan Aykroyd from Blues Brothers used as fair use.

Dan went on to have a full and rich career. With therapy, he was able to manage his Tourette’s syndrome, which could have posed a problem with his acting. But his focus and interests fostered by his Aspergers helped to engage his fascination with music and the supernatural. It made him who he is today.

“One of my symptoms included my obsession with ghosts and law enforcement—I carry around a police badge with me, for example. I became ob

Canadian and American actor (born 1952)

Daniel Edward AykroydCM OOnt (AK-royd; born July 1, 1952) is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer.

Aykroyd was a writer and an original member of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" cast on the NBCsketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from its inception in 1975 until his departure in 1979. During his tenure on SNL, he appeared in a recurring series of sketches, particularly featuring the Coneheads and the Blues Brothers. For his work on the show, he received five Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series in 1977. After his departure, he has since returned to guest roles.

Aykroyd's most famous roles are as Elwood J. Blues in The Blues Brothers (1980) and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998) and Dr. Raymond "Ray" Stantz in Ghostbusters (1984), and Ghostbusters II (1989) (he has reprised his role in various projects within the Ghostbusters franchise). He also is known for his comedic roles in 1941 (1979), Trading Places (1983), Spies Like Us (1985), Dragnet (1987), The Great Outdoors (1988), Nothing but Trouble (1991) and Coneheads (1993).

In 1990, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Boolie Werthan in Driving Miss Daisy (1989). Other dramatic roles include Chaplin (1992), North (1994) and Pearl Harbor (2001). Aykroyd has done supporting roles in comedy films such as Tommy Boy (1995), Grosse Pointe Blank (1997), Loser (2000), Evolution (2001), 50 First Dates (2004), I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007), and Tammy (2014).

He starred as Reverend Mike Weber, in the sitcom Soul Man (1997–1998). He has made guest appearances on various television shows including The Nanny (1994), According to Jim (2002–2009), Living with Fran (2006), The Defenders (2011) and Workin' Moms (2017–2023). Aykroyd is also a businessman, having co-founde

Daniel Edward AykroydCM OOnt (AK-royd; born July 1, 1952) is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer.

Aykroyd was a writer and an original member of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" cast on the NBCsketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from its inception in 1975 until his departure in 1979. During his tenure on SNL, he appeared in a recurring series of sketches, particularly featuring the Coneheads and the Blues Brothers. For his work on the show, he received five Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series in 1977. After his departure, he has since returned to guest roles.

Aykroyd's most famous roles are as Elwood J. Blues in The Blues Brothers (1980) and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998) and Dr. Raymond "Ray" Stantz in Ghostbusters (1984), and Ghostbusters II (1989) (he has reprised his role in various projects within the Ghostbusters franchise). He also is known for his comedic roles in 1941 (1979), Trading Places (1983), Spies Like Us (1985), Dragnet (1987), The Great Outdoors (1988), Nothing but Trouble (1991) and Coneheads (1993).

In 1990, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Boolie Werthan in Driving Miss Daisy (1989). Other dramatic roles include Chaplin (1992), North (1994) and Pearl Harbor (2001). Aykroyd has done supporting roles in comedy films such as Tommy Boy (1995), Grosse Pointe Blank (1997), Loser (2000), Evolution (2001), 50 First Dates (2004), I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Lar