A list of over 100 famous English people throughout history, including:
Boudicca (1st Century AD) Boudicca was a Royal Member of the Iceni tribe (in modern-day Norfolk). She was chosen as leader of the Britons in their revolt against the Roman occupation. Initially successful her army of 100,000 sacked Colchester and then London. Her army was later defeated.
King Arthur 6th Century. Legendary King of the Britons who defended Britain against Saxon invaders, uniting the country. Sources are vague, but he may have been based in Wales.
King Alfred (849 – 899) Born in Wantage, Alfred was King of Wessex and also titled himself king of the Anglo-Saxons. An educated and enlightened King, who defended Britain against the Vikings.
Robin Hood (early medieval England) A legendary figure who owes as much to popular fiction as historical accuracy. Considered by legend to be an heroic outlaw during the reign of Richard III.
Thomas Beckett (1118 – 70) – Archbishop of Canterbury during the time of Henry II. He was killed at Canterbury Cathedral and is now considered a saint.
John Dunstable (1390 – 1453) English composer of polyphonic music.
Henry V (1413 – 1422) King from 1413 until his death at the age of 35 in 1422. Henry helped to unify the rule of England; he promoted the use of the English language and presided over a period of relative domestic stability. Defeated the French at Agincourt, and immortalised in a play by William Shakespeare.
Henry VIII (1491 – 1547) King from 1509 to 1547. Henry VIII split the Church of England from Rome, leading to the rise of Protestantism in England. Had six wives, two of whom were executed. He dissolved the monasteries.
William Tyndale (1494 – 1536 ) was one of the first persons to print the Bible in English. Executed for blasphemy after years of avoiding capture.
Elizabeth I (1533 – 1603) – Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth was Queen of England (1558-1603) during a time of great economic and social change. During her reign, she witnessed the defeat of the Spanish Armada leaving Britain to later become one of the world’s dominant superpowers.
William Byrd (1543 – 1623) English composer of the Renaissance. He helped the development of Anglican church music, and also secular vocal music.
Francis Bacon (1561 – 1626) English philosopher, statesman and scientist. Bacon is considered the father of empiricism for his work and advocacy of scientific method and methodical scientific inquiry in investigating scientific phenomena.
Thomas Hobbes (1588 – 1679) English political philosopher. His book Leviathan (1651) expounded the idea of a ‘social contract’ – limiting the power of those ruling society. This had a big bearing on Western political thought.
Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) Cromwell was an English military and political leader of the Parliamentarians during the English civil war. After the defeat of the monarchy, Cromwell became Lord Protector. He was a follower of a puritanical Protestantism.
Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1726) Physicist, mathematician and natural philosopher. Newton was born in Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, and studied at Univ of Cambridge. In Principia Mathematica (1687) Newton laid the foundations for classical mechanics, explaining the law of gravity and the Laws of Motion.
Thomas Newcomen (1664–1729) English inventor who created the first practical steam engine for pumping water from mines. He worked with Savery’s initial design, but significantly improved it, using atmospheric pressure which was safer and more effective for use in mines to remove water.
John Harrison(1693 – 1776) Clockmaker and inventor of measuring longitude. Born in Foulby, Yorkshire.
John Wesley (1703 – 1791) – Anglican preacher. Wesley is credited with founding the Anglican tradition of Methodism. Methodism stresses the role of social service to cultivate love of one’s fellow man. It placed less emphasis on the church establishment.
Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784) British author best-known for his compilation of the English dictionary. Although not the first attempt at a dictionary, it was widely considered to be the most comprehensive – setting the standard for later dictionaries.
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) Born in Spitalfields, London. Mary Wollstonecraft was an author who wrote novels and historical treatises. She is best known for her “A Vindication of the Rights of Women” (1792) which was an early argument for the equality of men and women.
George Stephenson (1781 – 1848) Mechanical engineer, who developed the steam engine for use in trains. He was a key figure in building the 25 mile Stockton and Darlington railway. Stephenson also built the first intercity railway between Liverpool and Manchester.
Charles Babbage (1791 – 1871) – Born in Teignmouth, Devon. Babbage was the inventor of the first mechanical computers, and is considered the ‘father of computers’ for his pioneering work.
Michael Faraday (1791 – 1867) Born in Newington Butts, London. Faraday was a scientist who contributed in the fields of electromagnetic induction, diamagnetism, electrolysis and electrochemistry. Discovered Carbon and Chlorine.
Edward Jenner (1749 – 1823) Born in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, Jenner was the pioneer of a smallpox vaccine. Jenner’s breakthrough also enabled many other vaccines to be developed.
Lord Nelson (1758 – 1805) Born in Norfolk. Nelson was a British naval officer who gained fame after dying during the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) – one of Britain’s greatest naval victories.
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797) English author, Wollstonecraft wrote the most significant book in the early feminist movement. She wrote the pamphlet “A Vindication of the Rights of Women” She was a pioneer in the struggle for female suffrage.
William Wilberforce (1759 – 1833) – With others, Wilberforce campaigned successfully for the abolishment of slavery. He felt slavery was incompatible with his Christian conscience.
Duke of Wellington (1769 – 1852) Born in Ireland, to a wealthy Anglo-Irish family. Wellington defeated Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo (1815). He twice served as Prime Minister for the UK.
John M.W. Turner (1775–1851) British landscape artist. Known as the painter of light. Turner was an artistic figure from the Romantic period and one of the precursors of impressionism.
Jane Austen (1775 – 1817) – Born in Steventon, Hampshire, Austen wrote several novels, which remain highly popular today. These include “Pride and Prejudice” “Emma” and “Northanger Abbey”.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806 – 1859) English engineer. Brunel was at the heart of many of the key building projects of the British industrial revolution. He built the Great Western Railway from Bristol to London and also developed powerful steamships.
Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882) Born Shrewsbury. Darwin developed the theory of evolution against a backdrop of disbelief and scepticism. Collected evidence over 20 years, and published conclusions in On the Origin of Species (1859).
Sir Henry Bessemer (1813 – 1898) English engineer, inventor, and businessman. Bessemer invented a more efficient method of producing steel – blowing air through molten pig iron, which reduced the cost and improved the quality of steel.
Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870) – English writer and social critic. His best-known works include novels such as Oliver Twist, David Copperfield and A Christmas Carol.
Charlotte Bronte (1816 – 1855) English novelist and poet, from Haworth. Her best-known novel is ‘Jane Eyre’ (1847).
Emily Bronte(1818 – 1848) English novelist. Emily Bronte is best known for her novel Wuthering Heights (1847), and her poetry.
Queen Victoria (1819-1901) – Born in Kensington Palace, London, Queen Victoria was the head of Great Britain and the UK from 1837-1901. She came to symbolise the Victorian period of the British Empire and the industrial revolution.
Florence Nightingale (1820 – 1910) Born in Florence, Italy, she was brought up in Hampshire. Nightingale is considered one of the founders of modern nursing. She served in the Crimean War, and sought to improve nursing and medical care. – Elevating the prestige of the nursing profession.
Joseph Lister (1827 – 1912) Born in West Ham, London, Lister was a surgeon. He pioneered the use of antiseptic (Carbolic acid) and antiseptic surgery which dramatically improved survival rates.
William Booth (1829 – 1912) – founder of Salvation Army. William Booth sought to bring Christian charity to the most underprivileged sections of society.
Millicent Fawcett (1846 – 1929) Born in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, Fawcett was a leading suffragist and campaigner for equal rights for women. She led Britain’s biggest suffrage organisation, the non-violent (NUWSS) She also helped found Newnham College, Cambridge.
Annie Besant (1847-1933) – Born in Clapham London, Besant was a socialist and campaigner for social justice. She was an advocate of women’s rights and later member of the Theosophist society. She also actively campaigned for Indian independence.
Emmeline Pankhurst (1858 – 1928) – Born in Moss Side, Manchester, Pankhurst was an influential leader of the British suffragette movement. Emily Pankhurst dedicated her life to the promotion of women’s rights including violent protest.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 – 1930) British author of historical novels and plays. Most famous for his short stories about the detective – Sherlock Holmes, such as The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902) and Sign of Four (1890).
Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) A brilliant mathematician, pacifist and peace campaigner, Russell was also a believer in democratic socialism.
Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965) Born Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire Churchill was Prime Minister 1940-45, successfully leading Great Britain against Nazi Germany. Churchill held many ministerial posts in Liberal and Conservative governments.
John Maynard Keynes (1883 – 1946) one of the most influential economists of the Twentieth Century. Keynes advocated a role for government to manage aggregate demand and overcome recessions. His General Theory (1936) laid the foundations of Keynesian economics and the new branch of macroeconomics.
T.E. Lawrence (1888 – 1935) Born in Wales, Lawrence grew up in Oxford. An Archaeologist who, as a British officer, led the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire in Arabia during the First World War.
Clement Attlee (1883–1867) British Prime Minister 1945–51. Attlee presided over one of the most radical Labour governments of the Twentieth Century. His government pushed through nationalisation and the creation of the welfare state.
Bernard Montgomery (1887 – 1976) Born in Alton, Hampshire. Montgomery was a British General during World War Two. Montgomery led the successful British action at El-Alamein. He also led British divisions during the liberation of Europe.
J.R.R. Tolkien (1892 – 1973) – Professor of Anglo-Saxon and English at Oxford University. Tolkien wrote the best-selling mythical trilogy The Lord of the Rings. Other works include The Hobbit and The Silmarillion, and a translation of Beowulf.
George Orwell (1903 – 1950) – English author. Famous works include Animal Farm, and 1984. – Both stark warnings about the dangers of totalitarian states, Orwell was also a democratic socialist who fought in the Spanish Civil War, documenting his experiences in “Homage to Catalonia” (1938).
Dorothy Hodgkin (1910-1994) – Born in Cairo, Egypt. Hodgkin studied at Sommerville College, Oxford University. She was awarded the Nobel prize for chemistry (1964) for her work in developing X-ray crystallography. She also discovered the structure of both penicillin and later insulin.
Alec Guinness (1914 – 2000) English actor. Guinness is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation. Guinness featured in many film roles such as Fagin in David Copperfield and Col Nicholson in Bridge on the River Kwai. Other roles included Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars and Gen Zhivago in Doctor Zhivago.
Rosalind Franklin (1920 – 1958) Born in Notting Hill, London, Franklin was a British Chemist who made significant contributions to understanding the structure of DNA and RNA.
Richard Attenborough (1923 – ) English actor and director. His most famous roles include The Great Escape, Brighton Rock and Jurassic Park. As a director, he won two Academy Awards for the film Gandhi (1983).
Queen Elizabeth II (1926 – ) Born Mayfair, London, first daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. She ascended to the throne in 1952 and is the second longest-serving British monarch.
Margaret Thatcher (1925 – 2013) Born in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Thatcher was Britain’s first female Prime minister of Great Britain (1979-90) – emphasising free markets and individualism.
Michael Caine (1933 – ) English actor. Caine was raised in London, and his hallmark was a strong Cockney accent. He featured in many gritty post-war films such as Zulu (1964) The Italian Job (1969) and Battle of Britain (1969).
Julie Andrews (1935- ) British actress, dancer and singer. Andrews is most famous for her roles in Mary Poppins (1965) and The Sound of Music (1966).
John Lennon (1940 – 1980) English musician from Liverpool. Member of Beatles and also distinguished solo career. As well as famous musician, influential social and peace activist.
Cliff Richard (1940 – ) British singer and musician. Christian with a long-serving music career.
Paul McCartney (1942 – ) English musician and member of the Beatles. McCartney has been an iconic figure in music and culture.
Stephen Hawking (1942 – ) Born in Oxford, Hawking is English theoretical physicist, cosmologist. He has authored books explaining scientific theories, such as The Theory of Everything, and A Brief History of Time.
Prince Charles (1948 – ) Eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II and heir apparent to the British throne. Married to Princess Diana, later remarried Camilla Parker Bowles. Has been involved in charitable and environmental projects.
Diana, Princess of Wales (1961 – 1997) – Born Sandringham, Norfolk. British Royal princess and wife of Prince Charles. Noted for her humanitarian charity work, such as landmines and AIDS charities.
J.K.Rowling (1965 – ) British author of the Harry Potter Series – which has become the best selling book series of all time. Her first book was Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997). Rowling has also published adult fiction, such as The Casual Vacancy (2012) and The Cuckoo’s Calling (2013)
David Beckham (1975 – ) (England, football) Won league title in four different countries. 115 appearances for England. Iconic footballer and fashion icon.
Bradley Wiggins (1980 – ) Olympic track cyclist who won six gold medals on the track, before making a rare transition to win the Tour de France. Also Olympic and World time trial champion.
Prince William (1982- ) Eldest child of Prince Charles and Diana. William is 2nd in line to the throne. Married Catherine Middleton in 2012.
Mo Farah (1983 – ) (GB, athletics) 2012 – Olympic champion – Gold at 5000, and 10,000. 2011 – World Championship Gold at 5,000. Silver in 10,000m.
Emma Watson (15 April 1990 ) British actress. Watson is most famous for role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series. She continues her performing career while also serving as a UN ambassador and feminist activist.
Douglas Haig (1861 – 1928 ) British First World War General who was in charge during the bitter battle of the Somme. Towards the end of the First World War was relatively more successful, but often identified with the needless slaughter of the trenches.
Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) Cromwell was an English military and political leader of the Parliamentarians during the English civil war. After the defeat of the monarchy, Cromwell became Lord Protector. He was a follower of a puritanical Protestantism.
William Wilberforce (1759 – 1833) – With others, Wilberforce campaigned successfully for the abolishment of slavery. He felt slavery was incompatible with his Christian conscience.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806 – 1859) English engineer. Brunel was at the heart of many of the key building projects of the British industrial revolution. He built the Great Western Railway from Bristol to London and also developed powerful steamships.
Sir Henry Bessemer (1813 – 1898) English engineer, inventor, and businessman. Bessemer invented a more efficient method of producing steel – blowing air through molten pig iron, which reduced the cost and improved the quality of steel.
William Booth (1829 – 1912) – founder of Salvation Army. William Booth sought to bring Christian charity to the most underprivileged sections of society.
Millicent Fawcett (1846 – 1929) Born in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, Fawcett was a leading suffragist and campaigner for equal rights for women. She led Britain’s biggest suffrage organisation, the non-violent (NUWSS) She also helped found Newnham College, Cambridge.
Annie Besant (1847-1933) – Born in Clapham London, Besant was a socialist and campaigner for social justice. She was an advocate of women’s rights and later member of the Theosophist society. She also actively campaigned for Indian independence.
Emmeline Pankhurst (1858 – 1928) – Born in Moss Side, Manchester, Pankhurst was an influential leader of the British suffragette movement. Emily Pankhurst dedicated her life to the promotion of women’s rights including violent protest.
Clement Attlee (1883–1867) British Prime Minister 1945–51. Attlee presided over one of the most radical Labour governments of the Twentieth Century. His government pushed through nationalisation and the creation of the welfare state.
(1926 – ) Born Mayfair, London, first daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. She ascended to the throne in 1952 and is the second longest-serving British monarch.
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