List of people from Yorkshire


This is a list of people from Yorkshire. Yorkshire is the largest historic county in both England and the United Kingdom. Some of the most notable figures from the county are:

Lawyers and Jurists

Inventors, explorers, scientists and pioneers

NamePlaceLifeCommentsReference
Edward Victor Appleton1892–1965Nobel Prize in Physics in 1947
James Henry AtkinsonLeeds1849–1942inventor of the mousetrap
Donald Bailey1901–1985inventor of the Bailey Bridge
William Bateson1861–1926geneticist; first to use term "genetics"
George Birkbeck1776–1841doctor, philanthropist, founder of Birkbeck College
Joseph BramahBarnsley1748–1814invented hydraulic press; one of two founders of hydraulic engineering
Harry Brearley1871–1948Sheffield inventor of stainless steel
Henry Briggs1561–1630perfected system of logarithms used today by astronomers, navigators
Phil Burgan1951–pharmacist; CEO and Chairman of MMCG
Ralph Burtond.1768British soldier and Canadian settler
Sir George Cayleyborn in Scarborough1773–1857engineer, one of the most important people in the history of aeronautics
Capt. James CookMarton, Middlesbrough1728–79Georgian oceanic explorer
Rick Dickinson1956industrial designer responsible for the ZX80, ZX81, ZX Spectrum and Sinclair QL keyboards and cases
John HarrisonFoulby1693–1776horologist and mathematician
Amy Johnsonborn in Hull1903–41aviator
Joseph Priestleyborn in Birstall1733–1804physicist and chemist
Augustus Pitt Rivers1827–1900British Army officer, ethnologist, anthropologist and archaeologist
Nicholas SaundersonThurlstone1682–1739Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, University of Cambridge
Helen Sharmanborn in Sheffield1963–first British astronaut
Percy Shawborn in Halifax1889–1975inventor of the cat's eyes reflecting roadstuds
John Smeaton1724–92civil engineer responsible for the design of bridges, canals, harbours and lighthouses
Frederick Waltonborn in Sowerby Bridge1834–1928inventor of Linoleum
John Wycliffe1330–84theologian, reformist, pioneering translator

Politicians and activists

NamePlaceLifeCommentsReference
H. H. Asquithborn in Morley1852–1928Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1908–16
William Bradfordborn in Austerfield1590–1657Plymouth governor, pilgrim father
Guy FawkesYork1570–1606Yorkshire-born soldier, part of the Gunpowder Plot
Roy Hattersleyborn in Sheffield1933–British Labour politician, author and journalist-
William Wilberforceborn in Kingston upon Hull1759–1833social campaigner who brought about the abolition of slavery
Harold Wilsonborn in Huddersfield1916–1995Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1964–70 and 1974–76

Writers

NamePlaceLifeCommentsReference
W. H. Audenborn York1907– 1973Poet, critic, essayist
Alcuin of Yorkborn near York732–804Early Middle Ages scholar, ecclesiastic, poet and teacher
Alan Bennettborn in Leeds1934–playwright and actor
Barbara Taylor Bradfordborn in Leeds1933–best-selling British-American novelist, debut novel, A Woman of Substance
Anne Brontëborn in Thornton1820–49writer, author of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Branwell Brontëborn in Thornton1817–48writer and artist
Charlotte Brontëborn in Thornton1816–55writer, author of Jane Eyre
Emily Brontëborn in Thornton1818–48writer, author of Wuthering Heights
Cædmonborn Whitby657–684Earliest English poetBede's Historia ecclesiastica.
Ian Claytonborn in Featherstone1959–Writer and broadcaster
Margaret Drabbleborn in Sheffield1939–literary Prize-winning writer
Stanley Ellisborn in Bradford1926–2009English linguistics scholar, writer and broadcaster, English regional dialects.
Helen Fieldingborn in Morley, West Yorkshire1958–novelist and screenwriter, Bridget Jones's Diary,
Roger Hargreavesborn in Cleckheaton1935–1988writer of the Mr. Men and Little Miss books
Joanne Harrisborn in Barnsley1964–English author, award-winning novel Chocolat
Tony Harrisonborn in Leeds1964–Poet, translator, critic, dramatist
Susan Hillborn Scarborough, North Yorkshire1942–novels include The Woman in Black and I'm the King of the Castle, Somerset Maugham Award. Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2012
Barry Hinesborn Hoyland Common near Barnsley1939–2016Novelist, television script-writer. A Kestrel for a Knave, Kes
Richard Hoggartborn in Potternewton, Leeds1918–2014Writer on English literature, sociology and cultural studies
Winifred HoltbyRudston, East Riding of Yorkshire1898 - 1935Novelist of works based on 1920-1930 Yorkshire women's empowerment, her works include South Riding, The Land of Green Ginger, A Crowded Street, Anderby Wold
Ted Hughesborn in Mytholmroyd1930–98poet laureate of United Kingdom, 1984–1998.
Anne Listerborn in Halifax, West Yorkshire1791-1840English landowner, diarist, and mountaineer.
Andrew Marvellborn in Winestead-in-Holderness, East Riding of Yorkshire1621–78poet
Ian McMillanborn in Darfield, South Yorkshire1956–poet
Julie O'Neill1971–author
J. B. Priestleyborn in Bradford1894–1984writer, novelist and broadcaster
Ray Robinsonborn in Northallerton1971–English novelist and screenwriter, award-winning novel Electricity
Sally Wainwrightborn in Huddersfield, Yorkshire1963–English television writer, producer, and director: Scott & Bailey, Last Tango in Halifax, Happy Valley, and Gentleman Jack.-
Keith Waterhouseborn in Hunslet, Leeds1929–2009British novelist, newspaper columnist, many television series, novels: Billy Liar
Stanley Wellsborn in Hull1930–Shakespearean scholar, writer, professor and editor who has been honorary president of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, professor emeritus at the University of Birmingham

Saints

NamePlaceLifeCommentsReference
Margaret Clitherowborn in York1556–1586saint, martyr
Edwin of NorthumbriaNot born in Yorkshire585–633saint, King of Northumbria
John of BeverleyHarpham and Beverleyd. 721bishop, founder and patron saint of Beverley
John FisherBeverley1469–1535bishop, cardinal, saint, martyr
Hilda of Whitby614–680princess, nun, nurse, founding abbess of Whitby Abbey and patron saint of Whitby
Blessed Nicholas PostgateEgton1596–1679martyr

Entertainers

Actors and actresses

Television performers

NamePlaceLifeCommentsReference
Jeremy ClarksonDoncasterpresenter and former host of BBC TV's Top Gear
Angela CrowWharfedale1938–actress
Rodney BewesBingley, Bradford1937–2017comedian, actor
Roy CastleScholes1932–1994comedian, singer, actor, television presenter
Paul DanielsSouth Bank, Middlesbrough1938–2016illusionist, quiz show host
Adrian EdmondsonBradford1957–comedian, actor
Leigh Francis Beeston, Leeds1973–comedian, entertainer
Frankie HowerdYork1917–1992comedian
Gorden KayeHuddersfield1941–2017actor
Bob MortimerAcklam, Middlesbrough1959–comedian, entertainer
Wendy RichardMiddlesbrough1943–2009actress
Paul ShaneThrybergh, Rotherham1940–2013comedian, actor
Mollie SugdenKeighley1922–2009actress
Dame Penelope WiltonScarborough1946–actress
Ernie WiseBramley1925–1999comedian

Musicians and bands

NamePlaceLifeCommentsReference
Arctic Monkeysformed in Sheffieldindie band
James Arthurborn in Middlesbrough1988–singer
Asking Alexandriaformed in Yorkmetalcore band
Mel BLeedsmember of the Spice Girls
Dame Janet Bakeropera singer
John BarryYorkbest known for his soundtracks for James Bond films and Midnight Cowboy
The Beautiful Southformed in Hullpopular music band
Bring Me the Horizonformed in Sheffieldmetalcore band
Arthur Brownrock singer
Tony ChristieConisbroughsinger
Joe CockerSheffieldrock singer
David Coverdaleborn in Saltburn-by-the-Sealead vocalist for Deep Purple and Whitesnake
The Cribsformed in Wakefieldindie band
Kiki DeeBradfordsinger-songwriter
Def Leppardformed in Sheffieldhard rock group
Frederick Deliuscomposer
Gang of Fourformed in Leedspost-punk group
Vin Garbuttborn in South Bank, Middlesbroughfolk singer
Lesley GarrettDoncasteropera singer
Gareth Gatesborn in Bradfordsinger
Heaven 1780s band
The Human Leagueformed in Sheffieldsynthpop band
Kaiser Chiefsformed in Leedsindie band
Zayn Malikborn in BradfordSinger-songwriter and former member of boy band One Direction
Jane McDonaldborn in Wakefieldsinger
John Newmanborn in Settle1990–soul singer
Robert PalmerBatley1949–2003singer
Pulpformed in Sheffieldpopular music band
Corinne Bailey Raeborn in Leedssinger
Chris Reaborn in Middlesbroughsinger
Paul Rodgersborn in Middlesbrough1949–rock singer-songwriter, best known for his success in the 1970s as a member of Free and Bad Company
Kate Rusbyfolk singer
Shed Sevenformed in Yorkindie-rock band
Ed Sheeranborn in Hebden Bridgesinger
Kimberley Walshborn in Bradfordmember of pop group Girls Aloud
Christopher Wolstenholmeborn in Rotherhambassist of Muse
Louis William Tomlinsonborn in DoncasterMember of boy group One Direction

Sport

Artists and sculptors

NamePlaceLifeCommentsReference
Gertrude Spurr CuttsScarborough1858–1941painter
John Atkinson GrimshawLeeds1836–1893painter
Barbara HepworthWakefield1903–1975artist
David HockneySaltaire1937–artist
Henry MooreCastleford1898–1986sculptor
Robert ThompsonKilburn1876–1955carpenter, furniture maker recognised for his mouseman furniture, exclusively using Yorkshire Oak
Andy GoldsworthyCheshire, raised in Leeds1956–British sculptor, photographer and environmentalist producing site-specificsculpture and land art situated in natural and urban settings
William Etty RAYork1787–1849English artist best known for his history paintings containing nude figures
Damien Hirstgrew up in Leeds1965–artist
Patrick HeronLeeds1920–1999artist
Trevor BellLeeds1930–2017artist
Norman AckroydLeeds1938–artist
Ian BerryHuddersfield1984–artist
Joash WoodrowLeeds1927–2006artist
Jacob KramerLeeds based1892–1962artist
Matthew KrishanuBradford1980–artist
Pete McKeeSheffield1960–artist

Crime

People in fiction