Famous People
Famous people born in Berkhamsted include the novelist Graham Greene (1904–1991), whose father was headmaster of Berkhamsted School, which Greene attended. One of Greene's novels, The Human Factor, set there and mentions several places in the town, including Kings Road and Berkhamsted Common. In his autobiography, Greene wrote that he has been moulded in a special way "through Berkhamsted". Greene's life and works are celebrated annually during the last weekend in September with a festival organised by the Graham Greene Birthplace Trust.
Other notable historical Berkhamstedians have included the poet and hymn-writer William Cowper (1731-1800) and World War I General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien (1858-1930). The town was also the childhood home of Clementine Churchill, the wife of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. During World War II Charles de Gaulle, living exiled from Vichy France, resided near Berkhamsted with his family, from October 1941 to September 1942 at a house called Rodinghead.
In modern times the town has been home to a number of notable personalities. The actor Michael Hordern (1911-1995) was born in The Poplars, an 18th century townhouse on the High Street. Berkhamsted was also the birthplace of television presenters Esther Rantzen (1940) Nick Owen (1947), and the singer Sarah Brightman (1960). Comic actor John Cleese has lived in Berkhamsted, Other notable Berkhamsted residents include actor Adrian Scarborough and sports commentator Peter Drury. Sailor Robin Knox-Johnston attended Berkhamsted school.
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“Our thoughts are always elsewhere; we are stayed and supported by the hope for a better life, or by the hope that our children will turn out well, or that our name will be famous in the future, or that we shall escape the evils of this life, or that vengeance threatens those who are the cause of our death.”
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