Witley - Notable People

Notable People

  • Lionel of Antwerp, Duke of Clarence (1338 - 1368), brother of Edward IV, was lord of the manor of Witley. Other occupants of the manor included Godwin, Earl of Wessex, father of King Harold; Peter of Savoy; and Edward I's wife, Queen Margaret, who supplied oaks from the village to make shingles for the roof of the king's hall at Westminster.
  • David Lloyd George (1863 - 1945), British Prime Minister, had a house called Timbers, which he would visit whenever he needed to escape from the stress of high office.
  • Terry Scott (1927 - 1994), comedian, known notably for the BBC domestic sitcom Terry and June with June Whitfield, lived in the village.
  • Myles Birket Foster (1825 - 1899), artist, is buried in the churchyard.
  • Whitaker Wright (1846 - 1904), mining entrepreneur, was found guilty of fraud at the Royal Courts of Justice and committed suicide shortly afterwards. He is buried in the churchyard beneath an imposing marble slab.
  • George Eliot (1819 - 1880), English novelist, spent her final years in the village.
  • Gertrude Mary Tuckwell (1861 - 1951), trade unionist, social reformer and author, lived the last years of her life in Little Woodlands, Combe Lane.
  • James John Joicey (1871-1932) Amateur entomologist and owner of the Hill Museum.
  • Frederick Williamson (1835-1900) Prolific skilled painter of landscapes, especially with sheep. Is buried in the Churchyard.


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