Notable Lanarkians
Some would argue that William Wallace is one of the most notable people in Lanark's history. A key leader in the Scottish Wars of Independence, he is known to have first "drawn his sword to free his native land" in Lanark in 1297, killing the English sheriff Haselrig. His name is well known through the town, with first year pupils at Lanark Grammar School studying Wallace and the Wars of Independence in detail. An 8 foot statue of Wallace sits on St Nicholas Church at the town cross dating back to 1817 which was sculpted by Carluke man Robert Forrest.
Other important figures in Lanark history include:
- George Gray, born in Lanark in the 1620s, a POW from the Battle of Dunbar (1650), Durham Cathedral survivor, and New World refugee upon arrival to Berwick, Maine.
- William Smellie (1697–1763), obstetrician
- Lord Braxfield (1722–1799), High Court Judge
- John Glaister (1856–1932), forensic scientist
- The rallying family of Jimmy, Alister and the late Colin McRae
- Scotland goalkeeper and former Glasgow Celtic goalkeeper, Robert (Rab) Douglas
- Scotland and Middlesbrough defender Stephen McManus
- Scotland and Rangers manager Walter Smith
- Scotland and Hearts goalkeeper Henry Smith
- Billy Ritchie Rock music's first lead keyboard player, born in Lanark
- Lee Miller, Carlisle United striker
- Dougie Imrie, St. Mirren midfielder, started career with Lanark United
- Stephen Pearson, Derby County midfielder, formerly of Motherwell
- Johnny Reid, a Scottish/Canadian country music singer, who is very popular in Canada where he has 2 platinum albums and one gold album
- Darren Smith, former Motherwell winger
- Stewart Greacen (born 1988), footballer on Rangers F.C.
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Famous quotes containing the word notable:
“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)