Notable People
Horatia Nelson, illegitimate daughter of Lord Nelson and Lady Emma Hamilton, lived in Pinner from 1860 until her death in 1881; distinguished pilot Brian Lane (1917–1942) grew up in the town; astronomer Sir Patrick Moore was born here in 1923; Monster Raving Loony Party leader Screaming Lord Sutch, who lived in nearby South Harrow, is buried in Pinner New Cemetery.
A number of literary figures have an association with Pinner. The poet laureate Henry James Pye retired to East End House at the end of his career in 1811, the novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote Eugene Aram at Pinner Wood House in 1832, and Samuel and Isabella Beeton lived on the Woodridings estate between 1856 and 1862, during which Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management was published. The novelist Ivy Compton-Burnett was born in the village in 1884, and the playwright W. S. Gilbert, though he did not live in Pinner, was a magistrate there from 1893 onwards. Another Victorian food writer, Agnes Marshall, whom most credit with the invention of edible ice cream cones, had a country home there and died there in 1905. Twentieth-century figures include the cartoonist William Heath Robinson, who lived in Moss Lane between 1913 and 1918 (and now has a museum dedicated to him at West House in Pinner Memorial Park), and the former children's laureate Michael Rosen, who writes children's books such as We're Going on a Bear Hunt, lived in Pinner from the time he was born in 1946, until 1962.
Figures in the world of entertainment associated with Pinner include the following: Sir Elton John, who was born and grew up here; composer Leslie Bricusse, best known for his partnership with Anthony Newley, was born in Pinner; songwriter Tony Hatch, composer of the Petula Clark hit "Downtown" and the Neighbours theme, was born here; Bruce Welch, guitarist in The Shadows, lived in Pinner while courting Olivia Newton-John; singer Charlie Dore was born here; and Simon LeBon, vocalist of '80s pop-group Duran Duran, grew up locally and attended the Pinner County Grammar School.
Actor David Suchet and comedian Ronnie Barker were both one-time owners of 17th century Elmdene in Church Lane; actress Jane March grew up here before moving to the United States; actress Molly Weir, best remembered for the long-running Flash detergent ads, lived in Pinner until her death in 2004;. Comedy writer and TV funny man, Barry Cryer lives here as did broadcaster Bob Holness, host of quiz-show Blockbusters.
Others: Politician Sir Rhodes Boyson lives in Pinner; Iraq hostage Norman Kember is a longtime resident of the town; Derek Bell, motor racing driver, was born in Pinner; documentary film-maker Jo Durden-Smith was born here in 1941; pop-musician Kate Nash and Sun journalist Chris Roycroft-Davis are residents.
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