Chester - Notable People

Notable People

• Sir John Vanbrugh (1664–1726), architect and dramatist, raised in Chester
• John Douglas (1830–1911), architect, lived in and had his practice in Chester, and designed many of its Victorian buildings
• Randolph Caldecott (1846–86), artist and book illustrator, was born in Bridge Street, Chester.
• David Roberts (1859–1928) the engineer who invented the caterpillar track, grew up in Great Boughton.
• Sir Adrian Boult (1889–1983), musical conductor, born in Liverpool Road.
• A. S. Hornby (1898–1978), notable grammarian and lexicographer.
• L. T. C. Rolt (1910–74), engineering historian was born in Chester,
• Group Captain Leonard Cheshire VC, OM, DSO and Two Bars, DFC (1917–1992), renowned Second World War RAF bomber pilot and founder of the Leonard Cheshire Disability charity, was born in Hoole Road, Hoole, Chester (although he was brought up in Oxford). The house where he was born (now a guest house) bears a blue plaque attesting to this.
• Anthony Thwaite (born 1930), poet and writer.
• Beatrice Tinsley (née Hill) (1941–1981), astronomer and cosmologist, professor of astronomy at Yale University was also born in the city but was brought up in New Zealand.
• Ian Blair (born 1953), Commissioner for Metropolitan Police (retired)
• James Hamilton, author of children's books.
• Conor Kostick (born 1964), writer and historian.

Actors

• Basil Radford (1897–1952).
• Randle Ayrton (born 1869)
• Hugh Lloyd (1923-2008).
• Ronald Pickup (born 1940).
• Daniel Craig (born 1968) in Liverpool Road.
• Emily Booth (born 1976), actress and writer.
• Ray Coulthard (born 1968)
• Emma Cunniffe (born 1973)
• Adrian Bower (born 1970)
• John Steiner (born 1941)
• Tom Hughes (born 1985)
• Malcolm Hebden (born 1940)
• Graham Roberts (born 1929)

Cinematography

• Peter Newbrook (1920–2009) cinematographer, director, producer and writer

Comedians

• Russ Abbot (born 1947) (birth name Russell A. Roberts), musician, comedian and actor.
• Bob Mills (born 1957), comedian and gameshow host.
• Jeff Green (born 1964), comedian.
• Stevie Riks (born 1967), comedian, impressionist, musician.

Sport

• Helen Willetts (born 1972), former badminton international and weather forecaster.
• Danny Murphy (born 1977). Fulham F.C. player and former Liverpool FC player & England international.
• Pat Sanderson (born 1977), international rugby union player.
• Alex Sanderson (born 1979), international rugby union player and younger brother of Pat.
• Michael Owen (born 1979), English football international and Liverpool F.C. and current Stoke City player.
• Danny Collins (born 1980), Sunderland A.F.C. footballer.
• Andy Dorman (born 1982), Crystal Palace F.C. footballer.
• Ricky Walden (born 1982), professional snooker player.
• Ben Foden (born 1985) rugby player England and Northampton saints.
• Tom Heaton (born 1986), Cardiff City goalkeeper.
• Ryan Shawcross (born 1987), Stoke City F.C. footballer.
• Steven Cousins (born 1972), skater.
• Beth Tweddle (born 1985 in Johannesburg, South Africa), World Champion Gymnast.
• Doug Ellis (born 1924), former owner of Aston Villa F.C..
• Antonio Pedroza (born 1991), Crystal Palace footballer.
• Stuart Turner (born 1943), former Essex cricketer
• Jack Angel (born 1993), Squash player for Cheshire.

Music

• Howard Skempton (born 1947), composer .
• Steve Wright, singer of Juveniles, Fiat Lux, Camera Obscura and Hoi Poloi.
• Stephen Oliver (born 1950) Composer
• Nemone Metaxas (born 1973) DJ and Radio presenter
• Lee Latchford-Evans (born 1975) Singer of 90's pop group Steps
• Andie Rathbone (born 1969) drummer of Chester based indie band Mansun
• Kutski (born 1982) DJ and BBC Radio 1 presenter

Curators

• Adam Carr