Northamptonshire Tourist Guide - Articles
Famous People of Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire boasts an impressive list of famous people who have strong connections with this culturally diverse county in the heart of England.
From literary giants, musicians and famous historic characters to big name modern-day celebrities, Northamptonshire has more than its fair share of famous people of enduring popular appeal.
Famous People of Northamptonshire (in first name alphabetical order)
Famous people of Northamptonshire span the county’s history and include:
Andrew Collins: Journalist, author (‘Where did it all go right?’), broadcaster, scriptwriter, DJ and film editor, Andrew Collins, was born and grew up in Northamptonshire.
Anne Dudley (1612 – 1672): The famous American poet, Anne Dudley was born in Northampton, in 1612. (To find out more about American connections with Northamptonshire, in general, follow the link Local Information and Articles, to ‘Northamptonshire USA Connections’).
Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790): U.S. Statesman, Franklin, had close links with Northamptonshire, (his ancestors came from the village of Ecton). Benjamin Franklin’s letters and diaries make numerous references to his family lineage and historic family links with Ecton, Northamptonshire.
Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870): One of the greatest contributors to classical Victorian English literature, the novelist Charles Dickens is said to have based the setting for his famous novel Bleak House on Rockingham Castle, where he was a regular guest.
Charles Montagu (1661 – 1715): Statesman, MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, founder of the Bank of England in 1694, and briefly Prime Minister (1697 – 1699), Charles Montagu was born in Horton, Northamptonshire; also a popular poet and writer, who had a hand in writing the ‘Story of the Country Mouse and the City Mouse’ (1687).
Des O’Connor: Although born in Stepney, Des O’Connor, the famous entertainer and show biz maestro of international acclaim, was evacuated to Northampton, during World War II. Des O’Connor spent many influential years in Northamptonshire; also played for the Cobblers, Northampton Town Football Club.
Diana, Princess of Wales (1961 – 1997): One of the most Famous People of Northamptonshire, adored the world over, Princess Diana, often fondly referred to as the ‘People’s Princess’ is buried in the grounds of Althorp, Northampton, home of the Spencer family. To find out more about Althorp and Princess Diana, follow the link on the Information and Articles link on this website, ‘Althorp House’.
Ebenezer Prout (1835 – 1909): Born in Oundle, Northamptonshire, the English composer and author of theoretical musical works, Ebenezer Prout won several awards at The British Society of Musicians and was heralded as a prominent leader of the Modernist Movement.
Edmund Rubbra (1901 – 1986): Composer and well-known music critic, Edmund Rubbra, was born in Northampton; he went on to win a scholarship to Royal College of Music; Edmund Rubbra was also a pupil of Vaughan Williams.
Eric Coates (1886 – 1957): Another well-known English composer to hail from Northamptonshire, Eric Coates was born in Hucknall, Northamptonshire. Eric Coates became lead violinist for the Queen’s Hall Orchestra, in 1912.
Henry Kingsley (1830 – 1876): Novelist Henry Kingsley, youngest brother of Charles Kingsley, was born at Barnack Rectory, Barnack, Northamptonshire; he later emigrated to Australia.
Herbert E. Bates (1905 – 1974): Born in Rushden, Northamptonshire and educated at Kettering Grammar School, novelist, Herbert Ernest Bates is best known for his development of the short-story genre. Herbert E. Bates is author of The Darling Buds of May, (1958) which became a popular television series (1991 – 1993). Bates’s writings are profoundly influenced by rural England and particularly the Northamptonshire countryside (e.g. the setting for the novel Love for Lydia was based on Rushden).
James Rice (1843 – 1882): English novelist and journalist, James Rice was born in Northampton, Northamptonshire.
John Clare (1793 - 1864): Born in the village of Helpston, the poet John Clare drew much of his inspiration from the natural landscapes of the Northamptonshire countryside. John Clare was also a gardener at Burghley House, before joining the Northamptonshire Militia at Oundle, in 1812.
John Dryden (1631 – 1700): The famous poet and prolific writer, John Dryden, was born in Aldwinkle, Northamptonshire; appointed Poet Laureate in 1668. Probably best known for his final contribution - Fables, Ancient and Modern (1699).
John Wilkins (1614 – 1672): Born in Daventry, Northamptonshire, John Wilkins was well-known as both a churchman and a pioneering scientist; author of Discovery of World in the Moon (1628) and Discourse Concerning a New Planet (1640).
Malcolm Arnold (1921-2006): Sir Malcolm Arnold CBE was born in Northampton, in 1921. A prominent musician of the 20th century, Malcolm Arnold excelled across a broad musical spectrum; compositions include symphonies, ballet music, opera and chamber music, as well as numerous film scores. Sir Malcolm Arnold was among the first British composers to win an Oscar (for Bridge on the River Kwai, in 1958).
Richard III (1452 – 1485): The 15th century King of England, Richard III, was born in Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire, in 1452. Following the death of his brother (King Edward IV) Richard III ruled briefly as Regent for Edward IV’s son, before incarcerating the youngster and his brother Richard in the Tower of London and ascending the throne himself. Richard III became King of England in 1483 and reigned until his death in the Battle of Bosworth. King Richard III was the last English king to die on the battlefield.
Roy Wilson (1900 – 1965). Born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, Roy Wilson was one of Britain's most successful and popular children's cartoonists during the 1930s and 40s; remembered also for his striking annual covers’ front pages.
Stanley Unwin (2002): Dubbed variously as ‘Professor’ Stanley Unwin, the ‘Verbal Magician’ and the ‘Master of Nonsense’; although born in Pretoria, South Africa, Stanley Unwin lived for some time in the village of Long Buckby, as well as in Daventry, Northamptonshire; he died in Daventry, in 2002. Stanley Unwin is best known as a star of variety theatre and BBC radio comedies in the 1950s.
Thom Yorke: Born in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, in 1968, Thom Yorke, vocalist, guitarist, pianist and ‘Grammy-nominated’ English musician with Radiohead, also became a spokesman for Friends of the Earth, taking a prominent stance on issues relating to carbon emission reduction.
Thomas Fuller (1608 – 1661): 17th century writer, historian and clergyman, Thomas Fuller, was born in Aldwinkle St Peters, Northamptonshire; appointed Chaplain-Extraordinary to Charles II; author of The History of Holy War (1639).
Thomas Randolph (1605 – 1635): English poet and dramatist, Thomas Randolph, was born in Daventry; also lived for a period in Little Houghton, Northamptonshire. Thomas Randolph is famous for his acerbic wit typified by such works as The Conceited Pedlar (1630). Randolph’s masterpiece, The Jealous Lovers, was presented before royalty, at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1632.
William Alwyn (1905 – 1985): Composer and Professor of Composition at the Royal Academy of Music, William Alwyn is best known for scoring many British feature films and playing a prominent role in the British Documentary Movement.
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From literary giants, musicians and famous historic characters to big name modern-day celebrities, Northamptonshire has more than its fair share of famous people of enduring popular appeal.
Famous People of Northamptonshire (in first name alphabetical order)
Famous people of Northamptonshire span the county’s history and include:
Andrew Collins: Journalist, author (‘Where did it all go right?’), broadcaster, scriptwriter, DJ and film editor, Andrew Collins, was born and grew up in Northamptonshire.
Anne Dudley (1612 – 1672): The famous American poet, Anne Dudley was born in Northampton, in 1612. (To find out more about American connections with Northamptonshire, in general, follow the link Local Information and Articles, to ‘Northamptonshire USA Connections’).
Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790): U.S. Statesman, Franklin, had close links with Northamptonshire, (his ancestors came from the village of Ecton). Benjamin Franklin’s letters and diaries make numerous references to his family lineage and historic family links with Ecton, Northamptonshire.
Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870): One of the greatest contributors to classical Victorian English literature, the novelist Charles Dickens is said to have based the setting for his famous novel Bleak House on Rockingham Castle, where he was a regular guest.
Charles Montagu (1661 – 1715): Statesman, MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, founder of the Bank of England in 1694, and briefly Prime Minister (1697 – 1699), Charles Montagu was born in Horton, Northamptonshire; also a popular poet and writer, who had a hand in writing the ‘Story of the Country Mouse and the City Mouse’ (1687).
Des O’Connor: Although born in Stepney, Des O’Connor, the famous entertainer and show biz maestro of international acclaim, was evacuated to Northampton, during World War II. Des O’Connor spent many influential years in Northamptonshire; also played for the Cobblers, Northampton Town Football Club.
Diana, Princess of Wales (1961 – 1997): One of the most Famous People of Northamptonshire, adored the world over, Princess Diana, often fondly referred to as the ‘People’s Princess’ is buried in the grounds of Althorp, Northampton, home of the Spencer family. To find out more about Althorp and Princess Diana, follow the link on the Information and Articles link on this website, ‘Althorp House’.
Ebenezer Prout (1835 – 1909): Born in Oundle, Northamptonshire, the English composer and author of theoretical musical works, Ebenezer Prout won several awards at The British Society of Musicians and was heralded as a prominent leader of the Modernist Movement.
Edmund Rubbra (1901 – 1986): Composer and well-known music critic, Edmund Rubbra, was born in Northampton; he went on to win a scholarship to Royal College of Music; Edmund Rubbra was also a pupil of Vaughan Williams.
Eric Coates (1886 – 1957): Another well-known English composer to hail from Northamptonshire, Eric Coates was born in Hucknall, Northamptonshire. Eric Coates became lead violinist for the Queen’s Hall Orchestra, in 1912.
Henry Kingsley (1830 – 1876): Novelist Henry Kingsley, youngest brother of Charles Kingsley, was born at Barnack Rectory, Barnack, Northamptonshire; he later emigrated to Australia.
Herbert E. Bates (1905 – 1974): Born in Rushden, Northamptonshire and educated at Kettering Grammar School, novelist, Herbert Ernest Bates is best known for his development of the short-story genre. Herbert E. Bates is author of The Darling Buds of May, (1958) which became a popular television series (1991 – 1993). Bates’s writings are profoundly influenced by rural England and particularly the Northamptonshire countryside (e.g. the setting for the novel Love for Lydia was based on Rushden).
James Rice (1843 – 1882): English novelist and journalist, James Rice was born in Northampton, Northamptonshire.
John Clare (1793 - 1864): Born in the village of Helpston, the poet John Clare drew much of his inspiration from the natural landscapes of the Northamptonshire countryside. John Clare was also a gardener at Burghley House, before joining the Northamptonshire Militia at Oundle, in 1812.
John Dryden (1631 – 1700): The famous poet and prolific writer, John Dryden, was born in Aldwinkle, Northamptonshire; appointed Poet Laureate in 1668. Probably best known for his final contribution - Fables, Ancient and Modern (1699).
John Wilkins (1614 – 1672): Born in Daventry, Northamptonshire, John Wilkins was well-known as both a churchman and a pioneering scientist; author of Discovery of World in the Moon (1628) and Discourse Concerning a New Planet (1640).
Malcolm Arnold (1921-2006): Sir Malcolm Arnold CBE was born in Northampton, in 1921. A prominent musician of the 20th century, Malcolm Arnold excelled across a broad musical spectrum; compositions include symphonies, ballet music, opera and chamber music, as well as numerous film scores. Sir Malcolm Arnold was among the first British composers to win an Oscar (for Bridge on the River Kwai, in 1958).
Richard III (1452 – 1485): The 15th century King of England, Richard III, was born in Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire, in 1452. Following the death of his brother (King Edward IV) Richard III ruled briefly as Regent for Edward IV’s son, before incarcerating the youngster and his brother Richard in the Tower of London and ascending the throne himself. Richard III became King of England in 1483 and reigned until his death in the Battle of Bosworth. King Richard III was the last English king to die on the battlefield.
Roy Wilson (1900 – 1965). Born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, Roy Wilson was one of Britain's most successful and popular children's cartoonists during the 1930s and 40s; remembered also for his striking annual covers’ front pages.
Stanley Unwin (2002): Dubbed variously as ‘Professor’ Stanley Unwin, the ‘Verbal Magician’ and the ‘Master of Nonsense’; although born in Pretoria, South Africa, Stanley Unwin lived for some time in the village of Long Buckby, as well as in Daventry, Northamptonshire; he died in Daventry, in 2002. Stanley Unwin is best known as a star of variety theatre and BBC radio comedies in the 1950s.
Thom Yorke: Born in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, in 1968, Thom Yorke, vocalist, guitarist, pianist and ‘Grammy-nominated’ English musician with Radiohead, also became a spokesman for Friends of the Earth, taking a prominent stance on issues relating to carbon emission reduction.
Thomas Fuller (1608 – 1661): 17th century writer, historian and clergyman, Thomas Fuller, was born in Aldwinkle St Peters, Northamptonshire; appointed Chaplain-Extraordinary to Charles II; author of The History of Holy War (1639).
Thomas Randolph (1605 – 1635): English poet and dramatist, Thomas Randolph, was born in Daventry; also lived for a period in Little Houghton, Northamptonshire. Thomas Randolph is famous for his acerbic wit typified by such works as The Conceited Pedlar (1630). Randolph’s masterpiece, The Jealous Lovers, was presented before royalty, at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1632.
William Alwyn (1905 – 1985): Composer and Professor of Composition at the Royal Academy of Music, William Alwyn is best known for scoring many British feature films and playing a prominent role in the British Documentary Movement.
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