List of people from the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan
This is a list of people from Wigan, in North West England. The demonym of Wigan is Wiganer; however, this list may include people from the wider Metropolitan Borough of Wigan—from Ashton-in-Makerfield, Hindley, Ince-in-Makerfield, Atherton, Leigh, Tyldesley, and other areas in the borough. This list is arranged alphabetically by surname:
| Table of contents: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
A[edit]
- Andy Ainscow (born 1968), former footballer[1]
- James Anderton, former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police[2]
- Richard Ashcroft, lead singer of The Verve, born in Billinge[3]
- Chris Ashton, England rugby league and rugby union international, born in Wigan[4]
- Bill Ashurst, rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 1970s for Great Britain, Lancashire, Wigan, Penrith Panthers, Wakefield Trinity, and Runcorn Highfield, born in Wigan[5]
B[edit]
- Alan R. Battersby, (born 1925) is a FRS and organic chemist known for his work on the genetic blueprint, structure, and synthetic pathway of Cyanocobalamin.[6]
- Tom Billington, professional wrestler under the ring name 'Dynamite Kid', one half of tag-team 'The British Bulldogs' with Davey Boy Smith, born in Golborne[7]
- Margery Booth, opera singer and World War II spy, born in Wigan[8]
- Thomas Burke, international operatic tenor; born in Leigh in 1890 and attended St Joseph's School in Leigh; the Leigh Wetherspoon's pub is named after him[9]
- Kay Burley, presenter and newsreader on Sky News, born in Wigan[citation needed]
- James Burton, built several early cotton mills in Hindsford and Tyldesley, born in Clitheroe[10]
C[edit]
- Duncan Cleworth, born in Leigh and a member of Tyldesley Swimming Club competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.[11]
D[edit]
- Kathleen Mary Drew-Baker (1901–1957), psychologist, born in Leigh[12]
- Kathryn Drysdale, actress
E[edit]
- Edith Edmonds, artist[13]
- Shaun Edwards, rugby league player and coach of London Wasps rugby union coach; Wales national rugby union team defence coach[14]
- Greg Ellis, actor and voiceover artist[citation needed]
- Edward Entwistle, driver of Stephenson's Rocket[15]
F[edit]
- Georgie Fame, real name Clive Powell, R&B singer and keyboard player, born in Leigh[16]
- Joseph Farington (1747–1821), watercolour artist, diarist and Royal Academician was born in Leigh where his father was the vicar.[17]
- Andrew Farrell, former international rugby player of both codes, born and raised in Wigan[18] and current head coach of the Ireland rugby union team
- Brian Finch, Wigan-born script-writer who contributed 151 episodes of Coronation Street over a period of 12 years[19]
- Henry Finch (1633–1704), Presbyterian minister ejected from Church of England, born in Standish[20]
- Phil Fletcher, puppeteer [21]
- George Formby, Jr., comedian, ukulele player and actor[22]
G[edit]
- Joe Gormley, former president of the National Union of Mineworkers[23]
- Andy Gregory, former Wigan rugby league player, born in Ince in Makerfield, now lives in Ashton in Makerfield.[24]
- Mike Gregory, former Great Britain national rugby league team and Warrington Wolves captain, former Wigan Warriors coach, born in Wigan[25]
- John Elisha Grimshaw, recipient of the Victoria Cross, of "6 VCs before breakfast" fame[26]
H[edit]
- Roger Hampson (1925–1996), artist, printmaker and teacher, born in Tyldesley[27]
- Keith Harris, music industry consultant & artist manager (Stevie Wonder), former chair of UK Music's Diversity & Equality Taskforce, grew up in Wigan.[28]
- Thomas Highs (1718–1803), inventor of cotton spinning machinery, born in Leigh[29]
- James Hilton, author of Goodbye, Mr Chips, born in Leigh[30]
- Arthur John Hope (1875–1960), architect and partner in Bradshaw Gass & Hope, was born and lived in Atherton[31]
I[edit]
- James Lawrence Isherwood, prolific impressionist/expressionist painter[32]
- Robert Isherwood, born in Tyldesley in 1845, was the local miners' agent and treasurer of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners' Federation between 1881 and his death in1905.[33]
K[edit]
- Shaun Keaveny, born in Leigh, broadcast his BBC 6 Music breakfast show live from Leigh Library on 11 February 2011[34]
- Thomas Kershaw (1819–1898), pioneer in creating imitation marble, born in Standish[35]
- Roy Kinnear (1934–1988), comedy actor, born in Wigan[36]
- Victoria Knowles (born 1976), author of bestselling book The PA[37]
L[edit]
- Eric Roberts Laithwaite (1921–1997), engineer, known for his development of the linear induction motor and Maglev rail system[38]
- John Lennard-Jones (1894–1954), born in Leigh and attended Leigh Grammar School. He was a physicist and Fellow of the Royal Society.[39]
- Limahl, real name Christopher Hamill, pop rock/dance vocalist, lead singer of Kajagoogoo
- James Lindsay, 24th Earl of Crawford (1783–1869), Earl of Balcarres, built Haigh Hall[40]
- Luke Lowe (1889–?), Wigan-born football player. He briefly played in the Football League Second Division.[41]
M[edit]
- Paul Mason (born 1960), journalist and broadcaster, born in Leigh.[42]
- Jennifer Moss (1942-2006), actress best known for playing Lucille Hewitt in Coronation Street.
- Ian Murphy (born 1963), artist and art educator
N[edit]
- Walter Napier (1875–?), English professional footballer[41]
- Fred Norris (1921–2006) who worked underground at Cleworth Hall Colliery in Tyldesley competed in the 1952 Helsinki and 1956 Melbourne Olympics.[43]
O[edit]
- Edward Ormerod, mining engineer at Gibfield Colliery; invented the Ormerod detaching hook, an important mining safety device[44]
P[edit]
- Mary Pownall (1862–1937), sculptor, was the daughter of James Pownall the silk manufacturer. She was born and raised in Leigh.[45]
- James Caldwell Prestwich (1852–1940), architect, born in Atherton, who designed many of Leigh's buildings including the town hall.[46]
R[edit]
S[edit]
- Pete Shelley (1955–2018), born Peter Campbell McNeish in Leigh, singer, songwriter and guitarist with the Buzzcocks.[50]
- Nigel Short, chess grandmaster, grew up in Atherton and attended St Philip's School[51]
- Davey Boy Smith, professional wrestler for the WWF and WCW as The British Bulldog[52]
- Danny Sonner, Wigan-born association football player who has represented Northern Ireland national football team[53]
- John Stopford, Baron Stopford of Fallowfield, physician and anatomist, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester[54]
T[edit]
- George Taylor, born in Wigan, footballer[55]
- Georgia Taylor, actress best known for playing Toyah Battersby in Coronation Street
- Ella Toone, born in Wigan, footballer for England
- Addin Tyldesley who was born in Tyldesley and a member of the town's swimming and water polo club, competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics in London.[56]
- Elizabeth Tyldesley, (1585–1654) the daughter of Thomas Tyldesley of Morleys Hall, Astley, was a 17th-century abbess at the Poor Clare Convent at Gravelines.[57]
- Thomas Tyldesley, died in the Battle of Wigan Lane[58]
W[edit]
- Charles Walmesley (1722–1797), Roman Catholic Titular Bishop of Rama; born in Langtree[20]
- Dave Whelan, businessman nicknamed "Mr Wigan", founder of JJB Sports, former owner of Wigan Athletic, and former owner of Wigan Warriors[59][60]
- Katie White, member of The Ting Tings, born and brought up in Lowton[61]
- Danny Wilson, Wigan-born association football player and manager[62]
- Gerrard Winstanley, founder of the 17th-century Diggers, born in Wigan.[63]
- James Wood (1672–1759), Presbyterian minister of the first Atherton and Chowbent Chapels, led a force that successfully defended the bridge over the River Ribble at Walton le Dale in the Battle of Preston in 1715.[64]
- Thomas Woodcock, recipient of the Victoria Cross, born in Wigan[65]
- Caleb Wright (1810–1898), Member of Parliament and mill owner who built Barnfield Mills in Tyldesley[66]
See also[edit]
- Hacker T. Dog, fictional dog from Wigan
- List of people from Greater Manchester
References[edit]
- ^ "Andy Ainscow". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
- ^ God's Cop : Biography of James Anderton (Michael Prince, 1989). New English Library Ltd. ISBN 0-450-49362-8
- ^ "Richard Ashcroft, famous people from Billinge".
- ^ "Chris Ashton England". ESPN.co.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- ^ "Bill Ashurst". England Football Online. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- ^ "Unveiling of the portrait of Professor Sir Alan Battersby", St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, 15 August 2015, retrieved 30 January 2018
- ^ McCoy, Heath. Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling, Revised Edition.
- ^ "WWII knicker spy Margery Booth photos to be auctioned". BBC News. 10 September 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
- ^ Thomas Burke, histclo.com, retrieved 2 November 2009
- ^ Tyldesley. 2 miles E.N.E. from Leigh (p113), Grace's Guide, retrieved 27 June 2012
- ^ Duncan Cleworth Olympic Results, Sports Reference, archived from the original on 18 April 2020, retrieved 1 June 2017
- ^ "Dr Kathleen Drew-Baker (1901-1957)" (PDF). Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 October 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- ^ "Edmonds, Edith". Benezit Dictionary of Artists. 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ Sue Mott (16 February 2008), Fear of failure spurs Shaun Edwards, London: The Daily Telegraph Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
- ^ "England's first engine-driver". Otago Witness. No. 2786. New Zealand. 7 August 1907. p. 78. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
- ^ Georgie Fame bisgraphy
- ^ "Farington, Joseph (1747–1821)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/9161. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ "Wigan Warriors - the Official Website". Archived from the original on 27 November 2005. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
- ^ Anthony Hayward (30 June 2007), "Brian Finch", The Independent, London, archived from the original on 24 December 2008 Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
- ^ a b "A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 6 – Standish with Langtree". British History Online. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
- ^ "Meet the Wigan puppet master behind Hacker T Dog". Wigan Today. 28 December 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
- ^ Richards, Jeffrey (2004), "Formby, George (1904–1961)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, retrieved 16 December 2008
- ^ Joe Gormley (1982). Battered cherub. Hamilton. ISBN 0-241-10754-7.
- ^ "Wigan Warriors - the Official Website". Archived from the original on 18 December 2007. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
- ^ Dave Hadfield (21 November 2007), "Mike Gregory: Inspirational Warrington and Great Britain rugby league forward", The Independent, London Retrieved on 5 December 2008.
- ^ Chris Staerck. "Six VCs before breakfast". Archived from the original on 5 March 2007.
- ^ Roger Hampson 1925–1996 Nationality: British, Art UK, retrieved 10 October 2012
- ^ Hepburn, Henry (26 June 2015). "I just called to say.music tuition must be protected". TES. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- ^ Inventions and inventors, Manchester City Council, archived from the original on 18 July 2011, retrieved 14 May 2011
- ^ James Hilton, jameshiltonsociety, archived from the original on 15 November 2009, retrieved 2 November 2009
- ^ Atherton Cenotaph designed by A J Hope, wigan.gov.uk, archived from the original on 23 February 2012, retrieved 4 April 2010
- ^ James Lawrence Isherwood, Wessexgallery.com.au, archived from the original on 11 June 2009, retrieved 2 July 2009 Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
- ^ "Death of Mr Robert Isherwood a well known miners' agent", Wigan Observer and District Advertiser, British Newspaper Archive via Findmypast, 6 January 1905, retrieved 26 November 2017 (subscription required)
- ^ Shaun Keaveny, BBC6Music, retrieved 2 November 2011
- ^ "Explore The World of Painters & Stainers at Bolton Museum". Retrieved 20 August 2012.
- ^ "KINNEAR, ROY - The Museum of Broadcast Communications". Archived from the original on 4 December 2010.
- ^ "To her, PA means personal assassin". The Sunday Times. 20 July 2014. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
- ^ Obituary – Professor Eric Laithwaite, Imperial College, retrieved 9 November 2009
- ^ Mott, N. F. (November 1955), "John Edward Lennard-Jones, 1894-1954", Biographical Memirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, vol. 1, The Royal Society, pp. 174–184, doi:10.1098/rsbm.1955.0013, retrieved 30 January 2018
- ^ Earls of Balcarres
- ^ a b Simpson, Ray (2007). The Clarets Chronicles: The Definitive History of Burnley Football Club. Burnley: Burnley Football Club. p. 486. ISBN 978-0-9557468-0-2.
- ^ Paul Mason, The BBC, 5 August 2003, retrieved 30 January 2018
- ^ "Athlete and double Olympian Fred Norris has died, aged 85". The Bolton News. 21 January 2007. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ Edward Ormerod and Co Ltd, retrieved 27 February 2011
- ^ "Mary Pownall (Bromet)", Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow, retrieved 30 January 2018
- ^ LeighTownTrail Part1 (PDF), Wigan Council, 2000, p. 5, archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2011, retrieved 30 January 2017
- ^ Richards, Jeffrey (2004), "Randle, Frank (1901–1957)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, retrieved 16 December 2008
- ^ Midwinter, Eric (2004), "Ray, Ted (1905–1977)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, retrieved 16 December 2008
- ^ Old Bryn Hall, Wigan Archaeological Society Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
- ^ Rawlinson, Kevin (6 December 2018). "Pete Shelley, lead singer of punk band Buzzcocks, dies at 63". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ Nigel Short, chessbase.com, June 2005, retrieved 26 April 2013
- ^ "Family, friends and fans worldwide mourn the tragic loss of wrestling legend Davey Boy Smith". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. 2002. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016.
- ^ "Danny Sonner", The Guardian, London, archived from the original on 9 June 2011 Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
- ^ Mitchell, G. A. (1961). "Lord Stopford of Fallowfield". Journal of Anatomy. 95 (Pt 3): 437–440. PMC 1244498. PMID 13771330.
- ^ "List of people from the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
- ^ Addin Tyldesley Olympic Results, Sports Reference, archived from the original on 18 April 2020, retrieved 1 June 2017
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- ^ Blackwood, Gordon (2004), "Tyldesley, Sir Thomas (1612–1651)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.), Oxford University Press, retrieved 30 August 2010
- ^ Brian Viner (18 October 2003), "Dave Whelan: Whelan's millions have set Wigan buzzing", The Independent, London, archived from the original on 24 December 2008 Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
- ^ Whelan sells stake in JJB Sports, BBC Online, 8 June 2007 Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
- ^ "Katie enjoys the fame game - Leisure". Leigh Reporter. 16 April 2008. Archived from the original on 27 August 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
- ^ Rob Stewart (26 August 2008), Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson putting experience to good use in Carling Cup clash, London: The Daily Telegraph, archived from the original on 4 October 2009 Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
- ^ "Winstanley, Gerrard (bap. 1609, d. 1676), author and Digger". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/29872?docPos=2. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ "Wood, James (called General Wood) (1672–1759)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/29872?docPos=2. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ "Woodcock, Thomas". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- ^ Caleb Wright, mill owner of Tyldesley and MP, 1810–1898, Tyldesley and District Historical Society, archived from the original on 23 December 2012, retrieved 7 November 2008