Notable Colcestrians
People of note that were born or have lived in Colchester include:
- Sir George Biddell Airy (1801–1892) – Astronomer Royal, attended Colchester Royal Grammar School 1814–1819
- Damon Albarn (1968-) - musician and Blur lead singer
- Paul Allender (1970–) – musician, lead guitarist of Cradle of Filth
- Cuthbert Alport, Baron Alport – Cabinet Minister, High Commissioner to the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, High Steward of Colchester
- Ken Aston (1915–2001) – Football referee, responsible for many important developments in football refereeing
- Thomas Audley, 1st Baron Audley of Walden 1488–1544, Lord Chancellor of England 1533–44, founder of Magdalene College, Cambridge. St Michael's Church, Berechurch has a fine monument to him (in the Audley Chapel).
- John Ball (priest) (d. 1381) – leader of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381
- Ali Carter (1979– ) – professional snooker player
- Piers Courage (1942–1970) – Formula One driver
- Graham Coxon (1969– ) – musician and Blur lead guitarist
- Cunobelin – King of the Britons
- Darren Day (1968– ) – actor and television presenter
- Bill Dines (1916–1992) – cricketer
- Neil Faith (1981– ) – professional wrestler
- Neil Foster (1962– ) – cricketer
- William Gilbert (1544–1603) – scientist, pioneer in the field of magnetism and court physician to Elizabeth I and James I
- Sir William Gull, 1st Baronet – Physician-in-Ordinary to Queen Victoria; Governor of Guy's Hospital; researched and named Anorexia nervosa
- Klaus Kinski (1926–1991) – actor, director, former German POW in Colchester during the World War II
- Alfred Lungley (1905–1989) – awarded the George Cross after the Quetta earthquake of 1935
- Bernard Mason – businessman, philanthropist, clock collector
- Philip Morant (1700–1770)- parish priest of St Mary-at-the-Walls, author of The History & Antiquities of the County of Essex
- Graham Napier (1980– ) – cricketer
- Martin Newell (1953– ) – musician, poet, author
- Sheila Nicholls (1970– ) – musician
- Dermot O'Leary (1973– ) – Television and Radio presenter, attended the Colchester Sixth Form College
- Sir Roger Penrose (1931– ), mathematical physicist and philosopher
- Dave Rowntree (1964– ) – musician, drummer for Blur
- Darren Styles (1975– ) – DJ, record producer, singer
- Jane Taylor (1783–1824) – poet and author of the lyrics to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
- Margaret Thatcher (1925– ) – former Prime Minister, lived in Colchester when working at nearby Manningtree as a research chemist during 1950s.
- Archibald Wavell (1883–1950) British Field-Marshal during World War II, Viceroy of India.
- Mary Whitehouse (1910–2001) – morality campaigner, died in Colchester.
- Sir Laming Worthington-Evans (1868–1931) – Secretary of State for War, Postmaster General
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Famous quotes containing the word notable:
“Every notable advance in technique or organization has to be paid for, and in most cases the debit is more or less equivalent to the credit. Except of course when it’s more than equivalent, as it has been with universal education, for example, or wireless, or these damned aeroplanes. In which case, of course, your progress is a step backwards and downwards.”
—Aldous Huxley (1894–1963)