I . Captain Oates
( Lawrence Oates 1880–1912)
an English explorer who went to the South Pole with Captain Scott . He is remembered for the brave way in which he died on the journey back. He was very ill and did not want to delay the rest of the party. So he walked out of the tent and into the snow, saying, ‘I am just going outside and may be some time’. People sometimes use this last phrase as a joke when they leave to do something dangerous or difficult.
II . Titus Oates
(1649–1705)
an English Protestant priest. He wanted people to turn against the Roman Catholics, so he invented the Popish Plot of 1678, a story that the Catholics were planning to kill King Charles II and make his brother James king. Oates was regarded as a hero, and many people were put to death because of him. Seven years later he was found guilty of lying and sent to prison.