List of people from Portsmouth
Notable people from Portsmouth in Hampshire, England, include:
- Sir John Armitt, Chairman of the London 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority, grew up in Portsmouth and attended also Portsmouth Northern Grammar School. He graduated in civil engineering from the Portsmouth College of Technology in 1966.[1]
- Hertha Ayrton, scientist and Suffragette who was described as one of Portsmouth's "least known and celebrated figures", was born in Portsea.[2]
- Sir Francis Austen, brother of Jane Austen, briefly lived in the area after graduating from Portsmouth Naval Academy[3]
- Actress Emma Barton[4]
- Bollywood actress Geeta Basra, was born and raised in Portsmouth[5][6]
- Sir Walter Besant, a novelist and historian was born in Portsmouth,[7] writing one novel set exclusively in the town, By Celia's Arbour, A Tale of Portsmouth Town[8]
- Roger Black, Olympic medallist, was also born in Portsmouth and attended the Portsmouth Grammar School,[9]
- Isambard Kingdom Brunel, famed engineer of the Industrial Revolution, was born in Portsmouth[10][11]
- Marc Isambard Brunel, worked for the Royal Navy and invented the world's first production line to mass manufacture pulley blocks for the rigging in Royal Navy vessels as well as designing the tunnelling shield used to dig the Thames Tunnel, the first tunnel under a navigable river in the world.
- James Callaghan, British prime minister from 1976 to 1979, was born and raised in Portsmouth.[12][13]
- Frederick Chatterton (1812–1886), English harpist[14]
- Mel Croucher founder of the UK videogames industry, born in Portsmouth 19 November 1948.
- Sir Barry Cunliffe, one of Britain's leading archaeologists and Emeritus Professor of European Archaeology at Oxford University, grew up in Portsmouth and attended Portsmouth Northern Grammar School.[15]
- Ben Falinski, singer in rock band Ivyrise was born and raised in Portsmouth.[16]
- Ian Darke, football and boxing commentator currently working for BT Sport and previously one of Sky Sports' "Big Four" football commentators, was born in the city.[17]
- Charles Dickens, known for such works as A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist and A Tale of Two Cities, was born in Pompey[18]
- Harry Digweed, footballer[19]
- Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, practised as doctor in the city and played in goal for Portsmouth Association Football club, an amateur team not to be confused with the later professional Portsmouth Football Club[20]
- Actress Nicola Duffett, best known for her role on Family Affairs[21]
- Helen Duncan, last person to be imprisoned under the 1735 Witchcraft Act in the UK was arrested in Portsmouth.[22]
- Michael East, Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning athlete[23]
- Matt Edmondson, Radio 1 and Channel 4 presenter,[24]
- Jill Ellis, two time FIFA World Cup winning coach of the United States Women’s National Soccer Team.[25]
- Sir Roger Fry, Honorary Doctor of Letters and Honorary Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford, is now President of the Council of British International Schools and Founding Chairman of the King's Group of British International Schools. He was born in Portsmouth and educated at the Northern Grammar School and later at the University of London.[26]
- Gerald Flood (21 April 1927 – 12 April 1989), actor of stage and television, was born in Portsmouth. [27]
- Paul Flowers, disgraced chairman of the Co-operative Bank and Labour politician[28]
- Douglas Morey Ford, lawyer and author.[29]
- Fantasy author Neil Gaiman grew up in nearby Purbrook and the Portsmouth suburb of Southsea, and in 2013 had a Southsea road named after his novel The Ocean At The End Of The Lane.[30]
- Joseph Garrett (YouTuber)[31]
- Peter Gautrey, British diplomat
- Stephen Goldring (born 1932), first-class cricketer and British Army officer
- Rob Hayles, cyclist and Olympic Games medal winner[32]
- DJ Hixxy,[33]
- William Brodleck Herms, American entomologist and university professor
- Journalist and author Christopher Hitchens, was born in the city[34]
- Roger Hodgson of Supertramp,[35] progressive rock band Gentle Giant,[36]
- Amanda Holden, television presenter and actress[citation needed]
- Brian Howe, vocalist of Bad Company[37]
- Graham Hurley, whose Joe Faraday crime novels are based in the city.[38][39]
- Joe Jackson, musician and singer–songwriter grew up in the city[40]
- Audrey Jeans, comedienne and singer.[41]
- Mick Jones, founder of Foreigner, was born in Portsmouth[42]
- Paul Jones (born Paul Pond, 24 February 1942, in Portsmouth), singer, actor, harmonica player, radio personality and television presenter.
- Dillie Keane, songwriter, entertainer, founder of the comedy trio Fascinating Aïda, was born in Southsea[43]
- Jim Al-Khalili is a British theoretical physicist, author and broadcaster. He lives in Southsea in Portsmouth with his wife Julie.
- Rudyard Kipling, spent a miserable childhood boarding in Southsea, but prevailed to become a Nobel-winning poet and author of the Jungle Book[44]
- Amanda Lamb TV Presenter and former model
- Palaeographer Sir Frederic Madden, born in the city in 1801.[45]
- John Madden, Director of "Shakespeare in Love", "The best exotic Marigold hotel" series,"Mrs Brown" "The Debt" and others, born 1949, in Southsea
- George Meredith, grew up in Portsmouth High Street.[46]
- Michelle Magorian (born 6 November 1947) is an English author of children's books. She is best known for her first novel, Goodnight Mister Tom.
- Alexander St. Lo Malet (1845–1922), first-class cricketer and British Army soldier
- Stephen Marcus, actor, born in Portsmouth[47]
- Ant Middleton, presenter of SAS Who Dares Wins, former SBS, current television presenter and author was born in Portsmouth
- Aubrey Morris (born Aubrey Jack Steinberg, in Portsmouth; 1 June 1926– 5 July 2015), actor
- Wolfe Morris (born Wolfe Steinberg, in Portsmouth, 5 January 1925 – 21 July 1996), actor
- Mason Mount, footballer who plays for Premier League club Manchester United, was born in Portsmouth.
- Tony Oakey, former British light-heavyweight boxing champion[48]
- Roland Orzabal, from Tears For Fears grew up in the area.[49]
- Alison Owen, film director, was born in the city.[50]
- Alan Pascoe, Olympic medallist, born in the city[51]
- Marcus Patric, actor on Hollyoaks, was born in Portsmouth[52]
- John Pounds, founder of the ragged school, which provided free education to working class children, lived in Portsmouth and set up the country's first ragged school in the city.[53]
- RemedySounds (Joshua Ross Clark), English dubstep/acoustic musician[54]
- Sir Alec Rose, single-handed yachtsman[55]
- Peter Sellers, comedian, actor, and performer was born in Southsea,[56]
- Katy Sexton, former world champion swimmer who won gold in the 200 metres (660 ft) backstroke at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona[57][58]
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, lived and trained in Portsmouth for a short time.[59]
- Nevil Shute, moved to Portsmouth in 1934 when he relocated his aircraft company to the city; his former home stands in the Eastney end of the island of Portsea[60]
- Anthony Thackara (1917–2007), first-class cricketer and Royal Navy officer
- William Tucker, trader in human heads, and New Zealand's first art dealer was also born in Portsmouth.[61]
- John Vernon (1922–1994), first-class cricketer and Royal Navy sailor
- James Ward-Prowse, footballer who plays for Premier League club West Ham United, was born in Portsmouth.
- H. G. Wells, author of The War of the Worlds and The Time Machine, lived in Pompey during the 1880s[62]
- Kim Woodburn, of How Clean is Your House?.[63]
- Dame Frances Amelia Yates, British historian was born in Victoria Road in Southsea.[44][64]
References
[edit]- ^ Bray, Paul (1 April 2016). "'If you're asked to do something new, see it as an opportunity'". Telegraph. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Hertha Ayrton: Famous Daughter of Portsea". A Tale Of One City. Portsmouth City Council. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Sir Francis William Austen: Glimpses of Jane's sailor brother in letters". Jane Austen's World. 8 October 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Emma Barton: 'You have got to take risks with your choices'". The News. Portsmouth City Council. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Geeta Basra – Biography". Chakpak. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- ^ "Bollywood actress in Portsmouth". Indiazen. 11 July 2007. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- ^ Owen, Chris (18 April 2016). "'When I was reading Besant's book, I repeatedly gasped'". Portsmouth City Council. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "By Celia's Arbour". Life Is Amazing. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ "Biography of Roger Black – Former Olympic Silver Medalist". Roger Black. 31 March 1966. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- ^ "History - Isambard Kingdom Brunel". BBC History. BBC. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Isambard Kingdom Brunel". Brunel AC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2005. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- ^ "James Callaghan biography". BBC History. BBC. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ Morgan, Kenneth (27 March 2012). "James Callaghan: a great PM who, 100 years on, still stands tall". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ 1851 England Census for Frederick Chatterton; Middlesex, St Marylebone, All Souls - Ancestry.com (subscription required)
- ^ "Portsmouth: Famous Residents C to H". Welcome to Portsmouth. Portsmouth City Council. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ Falinski, Ben (19 March 2011). "Ben Falinski - The News". Portsmouth City Council. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "From The 'Darke' Side - Pompey Supporters Trust". Pompey Supporters Trust. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Charles Dickens Birthplace". Charles Dickens Birthplace. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ "Harry Digweed". FreeBMD. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
- ^ "Arthur Conan Doyle: 19 things you didn't know". Telegraph. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Portsmouth, Famous Residents H to K". Welcome To Portsmouth. Portsmouth City Council. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "The Official Helen Duncan Web Site". Helen Duncan. 6 December 1956. Archived from the original on 26 September 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- ^ "Athlete Profile - Michael East". The Power of 10. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ Jeynes, Jodie (31 March 2011). "It's the weird thoughts I have escaping from my brain on to the radio". The News. Portsmouth. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Home pride in 'Pompey lass' Jill Ellis now bidding for a World Cup double". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "Roger Fry - British School Madrid". Kings College SA. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ Gerald Flood
- ^ Jones, Chris (19 November 2013). "Shamed Co-op bank boss Paul Flowers is ex-Rochdale minister". Manchester Evening News.
- ^ Douglas Morey Ford. At The Circulating Library. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ "Neil Gaiman novel inspires Portsmouth street name". The Guardian.
- ^ "All you need to know about Portsmouth-born YouTube star stampylonghead". www.portsmouth.co.uk. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ^ "About Rob Hayles". Rob Hayles. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Hixxy biography". Skiddle. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Results for England & Wales Births 1837–2006". Find My Past. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
- ^ "Roger Hodgson - Bio". Roger Hodgson. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ Stump, Paul (2005). Gentle Giant: Acquiring the Taste. SAF Publishing. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-946719-61-7.
- ^ "Venables quits Portsmouth taking a tidy profit". BBC News. BBC. 13 January 1998. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Other novels in Portsmouth culture". Graham Hurley Publishing. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- ^ "Biography - Graham Hurley". Graham Hurley. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Joe Jackson biography". Joe Jackson. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Sid James died in Audrey's arms", The News, Portsmouth, 8 February 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2023
- ^ Boom, Chris (28 March 2014). "Mick Jones of Foreigner: 'Portsmouth has always been home to me.'". Portsmouth City Council. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Dillie Keane at the Kings Theatre, Southsea". Portsmouth City Council. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ a b "Blue plaques". Portsmouth City Council. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Portsmouth's Early Historians". History In Portsmouth. Portsmouth City Council. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "George Meredith and Family". History in Portsmouth. Tim Backhouse. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Court ruling boosts Pompey fans". Daily Echo. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Tony Oakey profile". BoxRec. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Famous Bands from Portsmouth". Guitar Lessons Portsmouth. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Portsmouth, Famous Residents M to P". Welcome To Portsmouth. Portsmouth City Council. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Track stalwart who did city so proud". The News. Portsmouth City Council. 1 June 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ Philpott, Jake (7 December 2011). "Interview: Hollyoaks star returns to Pompey for panto". Galleon News. The Galleon. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Great Educator: John Pounds 1766 to 1839". Ragged University. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Meet the Live And Unsigned 2012 winners". musicradar. 1 August 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
- ^ "1968: Alec Rose sails home". BBC News. BBC. 4 July 1968. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ Milligan, Spike (2004). "Sellers, Peter (1925–1980)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/31669. Retrieved 9 July 2012. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ "Katy Sexton Bests Sarah Price as Both Women Break 100m Backstroke Commonwealth Record at British Trials". Swimming World Magazine. 20 March 2003. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ "About - Katy Sexton Swim Academy". Katy Sexton. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "An Austrian hick in London: Arnie's early years". Telegraph. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Nevil Shute Norway Blue Plaques". Open Plaques. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- ^ "William Tucker Obituary". Legacy. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Discovering city's rich literary heritage". Portsmouth City Council. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ Mischa, Allen (3 May 2011). "Queen of clean Kim on her route to fame". The News. Portsmouth City Council. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Frances A. Yates blue plaque in Portsmouth". Blue Plaques. Retrieved 6 August 2016.