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- Caroline Aherne - BAFTA award winning actress, comedian and writer, The Mrs Merton Show
- Daniel Adamson (1820–1890): engineer born in Durham who designed the Manchester Ship Canal. Adamson was one of the directors of the Manchester chamber of commerce and a Justice of the Peace for Cheshire and Manchester. He was buried in Withington
- Chris Addison - Stand-up comedian, writer and actor
- Mark Addy (1840–1890): Manchester-born Albert Medal recipient
- William Harrison Ainsworth - A historical novelist born in Manchester
- Sir John Alcock - aviator who, with fellow British aviator Arthur Brown, made the first nonstop transatlantic flight
- Don Arden - Cheetham Hill-born music manager and businessman, best known for overseeing the careers of rock groups Small Faces, Electric Light Orchestra and Black Sabbath
- Rob Atha - Table football player
- Michael Atherton - former England cricket captain and commentator
Read more about this topic: List Of People From Manchester