Hemel Hempstead - Notable People

Notable People

Notable people associated with the town in order of birth date:

• Nicholas Breakspear (c. 1100–1159), the only English Pope (Adrian IV 1154-1159) was born in nearby Bedmond, a village between Hemel and Abbots Langley.
• Richard Field (1561–1616) a theologian associated with the founding of the Anglican Church, was born in Hemel Hempstead.
• Sir Francis Bacon (1561–1626) was lord of the manor of Gorehambury which included Hemel Hempstead from 1601.
• Robert Snooks (c. 1761-1802) England's last highwayman to be executed and buried at the scene of his crime lies here.
• Sir Astley Cooper (1768–1841) English surgeon and anatomist. Lived at Gadebridge House, the grounds of which are now a public park.
• John Dickinson (1782–1869), inventor and founder of the paper mills at Apsley and Nash Mills which evolved into John Dickinson plc, built and lived at Abbots Wood, Nash Mills.
• Sir Arthur Evans, (1851–1941) archaeologist, was born at "The Red House", Nash Mills.
• Lyn Harding (1867–1952) actor and film star lived at a house called Logandene in Tile Kiln Lane, Leverstock Green, Hemel Hempstead.
• Prince Maurice of Battenberg (1891–1914), grandson of Queen Victoria was a student at Lockers Park School.
• Loben Edward Harold Maund (1892–1957) was a rear admiral of the Royal Navy and captain of HMS Ark Royal at the time of her sinking in November 1941.
• Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (1900–1979), admiral, statesman and an uncle of the Duke of Edinburgh, was a student at Lockers Park School.
• Guy Burgess, (1911–1963), Russian spy, was a student at Lockers Park School.
• Ashley George Old, (1913–2001), the artist spent many months in Hemel Hempstead in 1959 recording the changes as the New Town evolved.
• Salem Hanna Khamis (1919–2005) was a Palestinian economic statistician for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization who helped formalise the Geary-Khamis method of computing purchasing power parity of currencies. In later life lived in Hemel Hempstead and died there.
• Roger Moore, (born 1927) actor, famous for his roles as The Saint and James Bond, lived in Tile Kiln Close, Leverstock Green, Hemel Hempstead in the 1960s.
• Christopher Trace (1933–1992) first presenter of BBC TV's Blue Peter children's show lived for a time in Blacksmiths Row, Leverstock Green.
• James Purves (born 1937), cricketer
• Bill Morris OJ (born 1938), former leader of the TGWU, lived in Hemel Hempstead and still lives within the Borough of Dacorum.
• Michael Bradshaw (1933–2001) English/Canadian actor grew up in Boxmoor from 1938 until the mid-50s
• The Nawab of Pataudi, (1941–2011) captain of the Indian Cricket team, was a student at Lockers Park School.
• Malcolm Phipps (b 1942) 7th Dan Kyoshi in Shotokan Karate and is the Chief Instructor internationally to Seishinkai Shotokan Karate International (SSKI).
• Elaine Taylor (born 1943), actress, married to Christopher Plummer.
• Les Ebdon (b 1947) Director of OFFA attended Hemel Hempstead Grammar School
• Paul Boateng, (born 1951) Britain's first black Cabinet minister and Ambassador to South Africa, attended Apsley Grammar School (now part of Longdean School). He first stood for Parliament in Hemel Hempstead's constituency.
• Dave Vanian (born 1956)(real name David Letts), the lead singer of The Damned, was born and lived in Chaulden.
• Ian Lygo, famous for his record-breaking 75 consecutive wins on UK Quiz show 100%, lives in Hemel Hempstead.
• Neil March (born 1963) is an internationally renowned contemporary composer, lived in Hemel Hempstead until 1988 and attended Westwick JMI, Hemel Hempstead and Cavendish Schools.
• Chris Pig (born 1965) is an internationally respected master printmaker, lived in Hemel Hempstead and attended Longdean School.
• Claire Skinner (born 1965) the distinguished actress was born (1965) and raised in Hemel Hempstead.
• Vinnie Jones, (born 1965) footballer and actor, is a local resident.
• Steven Wilson, (born 1967) multi-instrumental musician, singer, songwriter and producer was raised here from age 6 after his family moved from London. His band Porcupine Tree was also formed in Hemel Hempstead around the year 1987. His home studio "No-Mans Land" is located here.
• Oliver Low (born 1970) in Hemel Hempstead a poet, software engineer, composer, games designer and author.
• Colin Edwin (born 1970) Bass player with Porcupine Tree was educated and lived in Hemel Hempstead.
• Luke Donald, (born 1977) was born in Hemel Hempstead. He is a golfer who plays mainly on the US based PGA Tour.
• Marc Bircham, (born 1978) currently lives in Hemel Hempstead near the Shendish estate. He is a retired Canadian footballer who played for QPR. Millwall FC and Yeovil Town FC. He has also figured in the Canada men's national soccer team.
• Anthony Davidson, (born 1979) Formula One driver was born here. Formula One drivers Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi live in Apsley.
• Tommy W. Smith, (born 1980) was born in Hemel Hempstead. He is a footballer who currently plays for Queens Park Rangers FC in the Premier League.
• Lee Grant, (born 1983), an English footballer, currently playing as goalkeeper for Burnley.
• Chris Eagles, (born 1985) footballer for Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League is from Hemel Hempstead.
• Jordan Parkes,(born 1989), an English footballer, currently playing for Barnet, is from Leverstock Green.
• Theo Walcott, (born 1989),an English footballer, currently lives with his family in the Hemel Hempstead area.
• Max Whitlock, (born 13 January 1993) member of Britain's gymnastics team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.