Notable People
The 19th century saw several notable characters. Lancashire dialect poet Edwin Waugh (1817–1890) was born and raised in the town. The aristocrat and poet George Gordon Byron was Lord Byron of Rochdale. Rochdale also has a proud liberal political heritage, as shown by such people as John Bright, one of the first Quakers to sit in the House of Commons; Samuel Bamford, the radical and writer; and Rev. Joseph Cooke, the inspiration behind the Methodist Unitarian movement. In the 20th century, another colourful political personality was Cyril Smith.
Among Rochdale's residents have been several musicians, including singers Gracie Fields, Lisa Stansfield (born in Heywood) and Barb Jungr, and bands Autechre, Tractor, the Chameleons, the Mock Turtles and the Cassandra Complex. Good Charlotte drummer Dean Butterworth also hails from Rochdale. Broadcasters John Peel, Mark Chapman, Liz and Andy Kershaw also have links with the town, Peel having lived there for a period of time and the latter three having been born there. Actors Colin Baker, Anna Friel, Stuart Crowther and Bill Oddie were either born in Rochdale or spent time living there. Don Estelle, who was born and brought up in Crumpsall, lived for much of his life in Rochdale and was buried there in August 2003.
Other notable residents include businessman and philanthropist Sir Peter Ogden, novelist Nicholas Blincoe, Monica Coghlan, a prostitute caught up in the Jeffrey Archer scandal, Stefan Kiszko, wrongly convicted of sexual assault, and Gillian Duffy, the pensioner described as a 'bigoted woman' by outgoing Prime Minister Gordon Brown during the 2010 election campaign. Poet John Siddique was brought up in Rochdale and has referred to the town in several poems. Novelist Anna Jacobs was born in Rochdale. World Series of poker winner Jake Cody grew up in Rochdale. The footballer Earl Barrett was born there in April 1967 to Jamaican immigrant parents.
Rochdale is known among Beatles' fans as the venue for an 1843 Pablo Fanque's Circus Royal performance, a poster for which inspired John Lennon to write the song Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! from the album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
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