Henley-on-Thames - Notable People

Notable People

• Sir Frank Crisp (1843-1919), first baronet, lawyer and microscopist, the ideator of Friar Park. The "Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)" composed by the former Beatle George Harrison is dedicated to him.
• The American science fiction writer James Blish (1921–1975) lived in Henley from 1968 until his death.
• British engineer Ross Brawn, best known for his role as the technical director of the Scuderia Ferrari f1 team and current team principle of Mercedes Grand Prix.
• Esther Deuzeville (1786–1851), as Esther Copley later a writer of children's books and works on domestic economy addressed to the working people, lived here with her parents until her marriage in 1809. There is plaque to her and her family in the United Reformed Church.
• French general Charles-François Dumouriez (1739–1823) is buried at St. Mary the Virgin parish church.
• The Freeman family of Fawley Court: Several generations of Freemans lived at Fawley Court on the outskirts of Henley from 1684 to 1852. They contributed significantly to the development of Henley and the surrounding area as well as more generally to architecture and the study of antiquities (John (Cooke) Freeman and Sambrooke Freeman), and veterinary science and equitation (Strickland Freeman).
• Humphrey Gainsborough (1718–1776), brother of the artist Thomas Gainsborough, was a pastor and inventor who lived in Henley. A blue plaque marks his house, "The Manse".
• Michael Heseltine, Baron Heseltine of Thenford preceded Boris Johnson as Conservative MP for Henley.
• Musician Liam Gallagher of Oasis and his wife Nicole Appleton of All Saints have a second home in Henley-on-Thames.
• Musician George Harrison (1943–2001) lived at Friar Park, Henley-on-Thames from the 1970s until his death.
• Politician Boris Johnson was the Member of Parliament until he resigned after being elected Mayor of London in 2008.
• Politician William Lenthall (1591–1662) was born in Henley-on-Thames. He was Speaker of the House of Commons between 1629 and 1640.
• Author George Orwell (1903–1950) spent some of his formative years in Henley-on-Thames and the nearby village of Shiplake.
• Prince Stanisław Albrecht Radziwiłł (1917–1976) is buried at St Anne's church, Fawley Court just outside Henley, where he founded the Divine Mercy College.
• Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy lives in Henley.
• Singer Lee Ryan lives in Henley.
• Broadcaster Phillip Schofield lives in Henley with his wife and two daughters.
• Financier Urs Schwarzenbach lives at Culham Court, Aston, east of Henley.
• Singer Dusty Springfield (1939–1999) has a gravesite and marker in the grounds of St Mary the Virgin parish church. Her ashes were scattered in Henley and in Ireland at the Cliffs of Moher. Each year her fans gather in Henley to celebrate "Dusty Day" on the closest Sunday to her birthday (16 April).
• Sir Ninian Stephen, Australian judge and Governor-General of Australia (1982–1989) was born in Henley
• Harry Stott, joint winner of I'd Do Anything and star of TV show Roman Mysteries.
• Actor David Tomlinson (1917–2000) was born and raised here.
• Actor Orlando Bloom has property in Henley-on-Thames.