Notable Residents
Kirkcaldy is the birthplace of social philosopher and economist Adam Smith, who wrote The Wealth of Nations at his mother's house at 220 High Street between 1765–1767. Architect and designer Robert Adam (and his father, William) came from the town. Sandford Fleming, the founder of Standard Time was born here. Explorer John McDouall Stuart, who led six expeditions into the centre and from the south to north of Australia, was born in nearby Dysart.
Politicians who come from the town include Ronald Munro Ferguson, the Governor-General of Australia from 1914–1920; David Steel, leader of the Liberal Party from 1979–1988 and former Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament; and Bertha Wilson, the first female judge of the Supreme Court of Canada and Court of Appeal for Ontario.
The former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister and current MP for the town Gordon Brown was brought up in the town from the age of three. The Scottish crime writer Val McDermid was born in the town.
Guy Berryman, bassist of the alternative rock band Coldplay, was born and brought up in the town until the age of thirteen.
Richard Park, the chief executive of Global Radio and the headmaster on the BBC talent show Fame Academy was born in the town, where he attended Kirkcaldy High School.
Sportsmen include the two-time world darts champion Jocky Wilson, footballer Colin Cameron, professional golfer Peter Whiteford and professional ice hockey player Adam Walker. William Arnott (1827–1901), a biscuit manufacturer in Australia, also came from the town.
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Famous quotes containing the words notable and/or residents:
“a notable prince that was called King John;
And he ruled England with main and with might,
For he did great wrong, and maintained little right.”
—Unknown. King John and the Abbot of Canterbury (l. 2–4)
“Most of the folktales dealing with the Indians are lurid and romantic. The story of the Indian lovers who were refused permission to wed and committed suicide is common to many places. Local residents point out cliffs where Indian maidens leaped to their death until it would seem that the first duty of all Indian girls was to jump off cliffs.”
—For the State of Iowa, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)