Godalming - Notable People

Notable People

See also alumni of Godalming Grammar School and List of notable Old Carthusians

Numerous notable people were born in the town including: James Oglethorpe (born 1696), founder of the colony of Georgia; Julius Caesar (born 1830), cricketer; Aldous Huxley (born 1894), writer; Nick Clarke (born 1948), radio journalist and presenter; and Mick Mills (born 1949), footballer.

The architect Sir Edwin Lutyens began work in 1896 on a house at Munstead Wood, Godalming, for the garden designer Gertrude Jekyll. She died in 1932 and is buried in the churchyard of Busbridge Church, Godalming, next to her brother.

Major Cyril Raikes MC

In the 19th century, judge James Wilde, 1st Baron Penzance lived at Eashing Park, Godalming.

In the 20th century, George Mallory, who later made a fatal attempt to scale Mount Everest, taught at Charterhouse School, and then lived in the town after marrying Ruth Turner. He died during the 1924 attempt, but Ruth and their three children remained in the area.

In the late 20th century, actor Terry-Thomas, comedic actor Terry Scott, actor Christopher Timothy, comedian Billy Dainty and the singer Alvin Stardust resided in the town. Dainty died at his house, "Cobblers", in the village on 19 November 1986.

The band Genesis was formed in 1967 by Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks while they were pupils at Charterhouse School.

Actor Sam Worthington was born in Godalming in 1976, before moving to Australia at a young age.

Significant people currently living in the town include the actress Rachel Hurd-Wood, Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole and his former wife Cheryl Cole, and football pundit Alan Hansen. Paul Merrett, a famous chef who has appeared several times on British TV, was a pupil at Rodborough.