Soper Family Genealogy & History

George Albert Soper II (1870–1948) was a renowned American sanitation engineer best known for tracking down Mary Mallon, infamously known as Typhoid Mary, an asymptomatic typhoid fever carrier. Soper's significant contributions to public health included his work from 1923 to 1928 as the managing director of the American Society for the Control of Cancer, which later became the American Cancer Society. His career highlights also include his role as a Major in the US Army and his involvement with the New York City Department of Health.

George Albert Soper II was born to George Albert Soper (1837–1869) and Georgianna Lydia Buckman (d. 1882). He pursued higher education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Columbia University, earning his Ph.D. in 1899.

Steven Soper, born on September 27, 1951, is a renowned British racing driver celebrated for his exceptional achievements in sports car and touring car racing throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Known for his successful association with BMW, Soper secured the Japanese Touring Car Championship in 1995 and achieved victory in prestigious races such as the 24 Hours Nürburgring in 1987, the 24 Hours of Spa in 1992 and 1995, and the Guia Race in 1997. His career highlights also include triumphs in the MG Metro Challenge and his competitive performances in the British Saloon Car Championship, where he was a key figure despite controversies and setbacks.

Tony Soper (1929–2024) was a renowned British naturalist, broadcaster, and author known for his contributions to wildlife television and radio. He began his career at the BBC, where he co-founded the BBC Natural History Unit and produced the radio program "Birds In Britain." Soper was a pioneering force behind wildlife documentaries, presenting popular TV series like "Birdwatch," "Birdspot," and "Nature." He was an avid supporter of the RSPB and explored polar regions extensively as an expedition leader. His accolades include the British Trust for Ornithology's Dilys Breese Medal and the British Naturalists' Association's Peter Scott Memorial Award.

Tony Soper was born in Southampton, Hampshire, to Ella (née Lythgoe), a former shop assistant, and Bert Soper, a shipping agent. The family later moved to Plymouth, where he attended local schools. Soper married Hilary, a wildlife painter, and they had two sons.

Donald Oliver Soper, Baron Soper (1903-1998), was a renowned British Methodist minister, socialist, and pacifist. Serving as President of the Methodist Conference in 1953-54, Soper was a pivotal figure in religious and political circles. He was known for his modernist theology and socialist politics, contributing to publications like the socialist magazine Tribune and serving as a Labour alderman. As the first Methodist minister in the House of Lords, he used his platform to advocate for pacifism and social justice. His open-air preaching at London's Speakers' Corner earned him the nickname "Dr Soapbox." Soper's commitment to the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and his presidency of the Fellowship of Reconciliation further underscored his influential legacy.

Donald Soper was born in Wandsworth, London, to Ernest Frankham Soper, an average adjuster in marine insurance, and Caroline Amelia Pilcher, a headmistress. Ernest was the son of a tailor, and Caroline was the daughter of a builder, highlighting a family background rooted in skilled trades and education. Soper married Marie Dean in 1929, and together they had four daughters, including Caroline, who was notably the first wife of writer Terence Blacker.