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Famous People of Bristol

Bristol has plenty to boast about when it comes to famous people, places and stories. Have a look at just some of the claims to fame below, there are so many people with links to Bristol and if you know of any that we might have missed, then please get in touch and we'll be happy to add to the list.

Bristol's most notable residents past and present

Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806 - 1859)

Brunel was not born in Bristol, but many of his most famous projects were completed in the city, from the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge and SS Great Britain through to the Old Passenger Shed at Bristol Temple Meads station, the Tubular Swivel Bridge in Cumberland Basin, and the sluice gates at Underfall Yard.

Cary Grant (1904 - 1986)

Born Archibald Leach in Horfield, Bristol, Grant's first role in theatre was working at the Bristol Hippodrome. He made over 70 films and became one of the best-loved actors of all time. He remained a regular visitor to Bristol, usually staying in the Royal Hotel, now known as the Bristol Marriott Royal. In 2001, to mark the 70th anniversary of Grant's arrival in Hollywood, Bristol unveiled a new Cary Grant statue in Millennium Square by the harbourside.

Nick Park (1958 - )

Director, writer and animator. Nick Park joined Aardman Animation in 1985 and is best known as the creator of Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep. He was given "the Freedom of the City of Bristol" in 2006. (See also Peter Lord and David Sproxton).

J.K. Rowling (1965 - )

Author and philanthropist famed for her fantasy coming-of-age novel series Harry Potter. She is the United Kingdom's best-selling living author and one of the most influential women in Britain. She was born in Yate and published the first of the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, in 1997.

Banksy (?)

Controversial and anonymous local grafitti artist who is famed throughout the world for his street art. Some of his pieces have sold for hundreds of thousands of pounds, with Hollywood A-listers and celebrities being some of the top collectors of his work.


Historical figures from Bristol

John Cabot (1450 - 1498)

Italian-born explorer who sailed from Bristol to Newfoundland on the Matthew in 1497. Local historians believe he lived in St Nicholas Street in Bristol's Old City. To commemorate the 400th anniversary of his voyage, the Cabot Tower was erected on Brandon Hill in 1897 and still stands today.

Blackbeard the Pirate aka Edward Teach (c. 1680 – 1718)

A notorious English pirate who operated around the West Indies and the eastern coast of Britain's North American colonies.

John Wesley (1703 - 1791)

Founder of the Methodist Church, Wesley worked and preached in Bristol. His statue can be seen outside the New Room in Broadmead - the first Methodist Chapel ever to have been built. The New Room Museum tells the fascinating story of Charles and John Wesley's lives.

Charles Wesley (1707 – 1788)

An English leader of the Methodist movement, most widely known for writing about 6,500 hymns and carols, including 'Hark the Herald Angels sing.' He lived at 4 Charles Street, along with his wife and three children from 1749 to 1771. You can visit Charles Wesley's House, which is arranged exactly as it was when the family lived there.

Hannah More (1745 -1833)

Educator, writer and social reformer, Hannah More was born and raised in Bristol. She was also known for her writings on abolition and for encouraging women to join the anti-slavery movement.

John Loudon McAdam (1746 - 1836)

Scottish engineer John McAdam moved to Berkeley Square, Bristol in 1801 to help build and develop a new road system for the city. During his time with the Bristol Turnpike Trust, he developed a new process of road construction, which involved layering different types of crushed stone and gravel on top of one another, followed by a final layer of tar to make the road surface more durable. This method soon became known as tarmacadam (tar + McAdam), and was eventually shortened to Tarmac, which is still used on roads throughout the world today.

Sir Humphrey Davy (1778 - 1829)

Famous for discovering laughing gas (NOS) whilst in Bristol and inventing the miners' safety lamp, Sir Humphrey Davy had a laboratory in Dowry Square, Hotwells.

Princess Caraboo (1791 - 1864)

Princess Caraboo appeared in Almondsbury, near Bristol in 1817, speaking a strange and foreign language. The quest to identify her became a local sensation. A mystery visitor claimed she had identified herself as Princess Caraboo of Javasu, and had escaped from a ship to whose captain she had been sold by pirates. She was later exposed as being Mary Willcocks of Devon, a cobbler's daughter, and her life story was made into a major feature film, not surprisingly titled 'Princess Caraboo'.

George Muller (1805 - 1898)

Founder of the huge Orphan Homes on Ashley Down (now home to The George Müller Museum and City of Bristol College), he housed, fed and educated more than 10,000 orphans in Victorian Bristol. He was pioneering in his Christian faith (he never fundraised but prayed for provision) and in his approach to education, raising the social status of thousands by equipping and sending them on into paid work. 

Elizabeth Blackwell (1821 - 1910)

Elizabeth Blackwell was born in Bristol and was the first female to receive a medical degree in the United States. In 1859 she became the first woman to have her name entered in the British General Medical Council's medical register and she campaigned for the admission of women to medical degrees. In the US National Women Physicians Day marks her birthday on 3rd February.

Samuel Plimsoll (1824 - 1898)

Plimsoll was born in Colston Parade, Bristol. He campaigned against overloading ships with cargo, resulting in the introduction of the Plimsoll line on every ship to show its maximum load capacity.

Billy Butlin (1899 - 1980)

Butlin funded British holiday camps Butlin's in 1936 which sought to provide affordable holidays and entertainment for ordinary British families. He lived in Bristol as a small boy and attended St Mary Redcliffe school. Butlin returned to Bristol as an adult and had his first taste of entertainment for the masses when he opened a hoop-la stall in Lock's Yard, Bedminster.


Film, TV and Theatre

Bristol has produced many famous faces and celebrities from the world of film and TV (past and present). The city has also been where many more first cut their teeth in the industry, or trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Jacob Anderson aka Raleigh Ritchie (1990 - )

Jacob Anderson is British actor, singer-songwriter, and record producer who was born and raised in Bristol, He is best know for playing Grey Worm in Game of Thrones and his music career under the alias Raleigh Ritchie. 

Johnny Ball (1938 - )

Johnny Ball is an English television personality. Ball was born in Bristol and attended Kingswood Primary School.

Nick Brimble  (1944 - )

Nick Brimble was born in Bristol and attended Bristol Grammar School. His parents gave him a season ticket to the Bristol Old Vic where he saw every play from the age of 11 until he went to university at 18. Perhaps best known for playing Little John in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Nick has worked on British television consistently and has also appeared in many theatre productions and films.

Derren Brown (1971 - )

Derren Brown is an English mentalist, illusionist, and author. He studied Law and German at the University of Bristol and while studying there, he began his career in illusion and hypnosis.

John Challisn (1942 - )

John Challisn, born in Bristol, is an actor best known for portraying Aubrey "Boycie" Boyce in the long-running BBC television comedy series Only Fools and Horses, which was also filmed in Bristol. You can take an Only Fools and Horses filming location tour and find out more.

Stephanie Cole OBE (1941 - )

Stephanie Cole is a star of stage, television, known for high-profile roles. She trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School from 1958 to 1960 and was awarded an honorary Masters of Arts degree from the University of Bristol.

Olivia Colman (1974 - )

Sarah Caroline Sinclair CBE, known professionally as Olivia Colman, is an English actress and graduate of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She is known for her comedic and dramatic roles in film and television, including; Peep Show, Fleabag, Broadchurch, The Night Manager and The Crown. She has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, two Emmy Awards, three British Academy Television Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards.

Andy Day (1981 - )

Andy Day is a children's television presenter on the BBC's CBeebies and CBBC channels. A Bristol resident, he also films his popular CBeebies television shows such as Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures and Andy’s Aquatic Adventures at Bristol's Bottleyard Studios in South Bristol. 

Sir Daniel Day-Lewis (1957– )

One of the most respected actors of his generation, Daniel Day-Lewis has also been hailed as one of the greatest actors in cinematic history. Day-Lewis atteneded Bristol Old Vic Theatre School for three years, eventually performing at the Bristol Old Vic itself.

Noel Edmonds (1948 - )

Noel Edmonds is a television presenter and executive producer best known for television shows including Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, Top of the Pops, Telly Addicts, Noel's House Party and Deal or No Deal (which was filmed in the Paintworks, Bristol). He lives just outside Bristol.

Alice Evans (1971 - )

Alice Evans is an actor born in Bristol and best known for playing Esther Mikaelson in The Vampire Diaries. 

Keith Floyd (1943 – 2009)

Keith Floyd was a celebrity cook and television personality who had three restaurants in Bristol: Floyd's Bistro in Princess Victoria Street in Clifton, Floyd's Restaurant in Alma Vale Road and Keith Floyd's Restaurant in Chandos Road, Redland.

Naomie Harris OBE (1976 - )

Naomie Harris is a well respected film and TV actor, best known for her roles in 28 Days Later, (2002), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), Moonlight (2016), Collateral Beauty (2016) and No Time To Die (2020). Harris trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Tom Hollander (1967 - )

Tom Hollander is a theatre, film and TV actor who was born in Bristol. He is known for his roles in About Time, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pride & Prejudice, Gosford Park, and Hanna among many other productions and films.

Jeremy Irons (1948 - )

Jeremy Irons is an English theatre, tv and film actor. He received classical training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and once busked on the streets of Bristol. He has starred in many West End and Broadway productions and films including Dead Ringers, The Lion King, Lolita and TV series Brideshead Revisted.  

Catherine Johnson (1957 - )

Catherine Johnson is a British playwright, producing works for stage and television. She is best known for her book for the ABBA-inspired musical Mamma Mia! and screenplay for the film of the same name. She lived in Bristol, where her play Rag Doll, won a local playwriting competition and was staged by the Bristol Old Vic.

Ian Lavender (1946 - )

Ian Lavender is a stage, film and television actor who trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He is best known for his role as Private Pike in the BBC comedy series Dad's Army.

Peter Lord CBE (1953 - )

Peter Lord is an animator, film producer, director and co-founder of the Academy Award-winning Aardman Animations with David Sproxton (see also Nick Park). Peter is the co-creator of Morph and wrote, produced and directed both Chicken Run and The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! He was given "the Freedom of the City of Bristol" in 2006.

Paul McGann (1959 - )

Paul McGann lives in Bristol and is best known for portraying the eighth incarnation of The Doctor in the 1996 Doctor Who television film. He is also know for his roles in Withnail and I, Holby City and Hornblower among others.

Kevin McNally (1956 - )

McNally is an actor who has worked in theatre, radio, film and television. He is best known for portraying Joshamee Gibbs in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series. He was born in Bristol.

Hannah Murray (1989 - )

Hannah Murray is an English actress best known for portraying Cassie Ainsworth in the Bristol-based teen drama series Skins and Gilly in the HBO series Game of Thrones. Hannah was born and raised in Bristol and attended North Bristol Post 16 Centre and was a member of the Bristol Old Vic Young Company.

Pete Postlethwaite OBE (1946 – 2011)

Pete Postlethwaite was an actor, known for films including In the Name of the Father, Dragonheart, Romeo + Juliet, Brassed Off, Sharpe, The Constant Gardener, Clash of the Titans, Inception and The Town. He trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Dave Prowse (1935 - 2020)

Dave Prowse was an actor and bodybuilder, best known for physically portraying Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy and the Green Cross Code man, a character used in British road safety advertising aimed at children. Prowse was born in Bristol, lived in Southmead and attended Bristol Grammar School. He worked at Henleaze Swimming Pool and was a bouncer at a Bristol dance club.

Miranda Richardson (1958 - )

Miranda Richardson is a BAFTA award-winning and Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated actor who trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She is best known for her roles in Damage, Tom & Viv, Blackadder , The Crying Game, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Made in Dagenham 

Sir Tony Robinson (1946 - )

Tony Robinson is an English actor, comedian, author and television presenter. He played Baldrick in the BBC television series Blackadder and has hosted several historical documentaries including the Channel 4 programmes Time Team and The Worst Jobs in History. He has also written 16 children's books. Tony lived in Royal York Crescent in Clifton, Bristol for many years. 

Sir Michael Scudamore Redgrave CBE (1908 - 1985)

Michael Redgrave was a stage and film actor, director, manager, and author. He was born and raised in Bristol and is best known for roles in Mourning Becomes Electra, The Night My Number Came Up and Time Without Pity. 

Sir Robert Graham Stephens (1931 - 1995)

Robert Stephens was a leading actor in the early years of Britain's Royal National Theatre. He was one of the most respected actors of his generation and was at one time regarded as the natural successor to Laurence Olivier. He was born and raised in Shirehampton, Bristol.

Patrick Stewart (1940 - )

Patrick Stewart is an English actor, director and producer whose work has included roles on stage, television and film, in a career spanning six decades. He has been nominated for Olivier, Golden Globe, Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, and Saturn Awards. He is best known for his roles within the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men series. He trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Mark Strong (1963 - )

Mark Strong is an actor who trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He is best known for his film roles in Stardust, Sherlock Holmes, Kick-Ass, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Zero Dark Thirty, The Imitation Game, Kingsman: The Secret Service and Shazam!

David Sproxton CBE (1954 - )

David Sproxton is one of the co-founders of Bristol-based Aardman Animations (See also Peter Lord).

Carol Vorderman MBE (1960 - )

Carol Vorderman lives in Bristol and is best known for co-hosting the popular UK game show Countdown for 26 years from 1982 until 2008.

Hugo Weaving (1960 - )

Hugo Weaving is an actor, best known for his roles in The Matrix trilogy, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies, V for Vendetta and Captain America: The First Avenger. As a child and teenager, Weaving attended The Downs School, Wraxall, near Bristol, and QEH School in Clifton.

James May (1963 - )

James May is a television presenter and journalist who was born in Bristol. He is best known as a co-presenter of the motoring programmes Top Gear from 2003-2015, and The Grand Tour from 2016-present. 

Gene Wilder (1933 - 2016)

Gene Wilder was an American actor, director, screenwriter, producer, singer-songwriter and author. He was best known for playing Willy Wonka in in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971). He trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Maisie Williams (1997 - )

Maisie Williams is an English actress best known for portraying Arya Stark in the HBO television series Game of Thrones. Williams was born in Bristol and grew up in nearby Clutton, Somerset. She adopted her dog Sonny from Bristol Dogs and Cats Home in 2015.


Music

Massive Attack

Massive Attack are trip-hop group formed in 1988 in Bristol, consisting of Robert "3D" Del NajaGrant "Daddy G" Marshall, and formerly Andy "Mushroom" Vowles ("Mush"). Their debut album Blue Lines was released in 1991. 1998's Mezzanine, containing "Teardrop", and 2003's 100th Window charted in the UK at number one. Both Blue Lines and Mezzanine feature in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Portishead

Portishead are a trip-hop band formed in 1991 in Bristol. The band is named after the nearby town of the same name. Portishead consists of Geoff BarrowBeth Gibbons and Adrian Utley. Their debut album, Dummy, was met with critical acclaim in 1994. Two other studio albums have been issued: Portishead in 1997 and Third in 2008.

Kosheen

Kosheen were a British electronic music group based in Bristol. The group consisted of Sian Evans, Markee Ledge, Darren Decoder. They released 5 studio albums between 2001-2013, including their debut album Resist, which reached number eight in the UK album chart.

Idles

Idles are are a rock band formed in Bristol in 2009. The band consists of Joe Talbot (vocals), Mark Bowen (guitar), Lee Kiernan (guitar), Adam Devonshire (bass) and Jon Beavis (drums). In 2019, the band were nominated for Best Breakthrough Act at the 2019 Brit Awards and later won the 2019 Kerrang! Award for Best British Breakthrough Act.

Dame Clara Butt (1872 – 1936)

Clara Butt was an English contralto and was the nearest thing to a superstar celebrity in the 1890s. She lived in the Totterdown area of Bristol before becoming a world-famous concert singer, celebrated by royalty and adored by millions.

Russ Conway (1925 – 2000)

Russ Conway was an English popular music pianist with 20 piano instrumentals in the UK Singles Chart between 1957 and 1963, including two number one hits. He was born in Bristol and attended Bristol Cathedral Choir School.

Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward (Bananarama)

Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward were friends who both grew up in Bristol and went on to form pop group Bananarama with Siobhan Fahey. Bananarama came to prominence in the 1980s with high-charting hits such as; "It Ain't What You Do..." (1982), "Really Saying Something" (1982), ", "Cruel Summer" (1983) and Venus" (1986)

Elizabeth Frasier (Cocteau Twins)

Elizabeth Fraser (1963 - ) is a singer, songwriter and musician.She is best known as the vocalist for the band Cocteau Twins and on Massive Attack's album Mezzanine. She lives in Bristol.

Sean Moore (Manic Street Preachers)

Sean Moore (1968 -) is a Welsh musician, who is the drummer and percussionist of the Welsh alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers. Sean lives in Bristol.

Tricky (1969 - )

Tricky is a record producer and rapper and a pioneer of trip hop music. Born and raised in Bristol, he began his career as an early collaborator of Massive Attack (see above) before embarking on a solo career with his debut album, Maxinquaye, in 1995. He has gone on to release 13 studio albums (most recent in 2017) and collaborated with a wide range of artists over the course of his career.

Roni Size (1969 - )

Roni Size, is an English DJ and record producer who was born and grew up in Bristol. He came to prominence in 1997 as the founder and frontman of Roni Size & Reprazent, a drum and bass collective. That year they won the Mercury Prize for their debut studio album New Forms.

Eats Everything (1980 - )

Daniel Pearce, better known as Eats Everything, is an English DJ and record producer known for house music. He was born in Bristol.

Beth Rowley (1981 - )

Beth is a singer-songwriter who grew up in Bristol and attended St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School. 

Raleigh Ritchie (1990 - )

Jacob Basil Anderson is a British actor, singer-songwriter, and record producer. (For acting credits see above) As a musician, he uses the alias Raleigh Ritchie his debut album, You're a Man Now, Boy, was a soul and trip hop album released in 2016 

For a musical taste of Bristol, you can listen to our 'Bristol Music Playlist'


Sports

W. G. Grace (1848 – 1915)

W.G. Grace was an English cricketer who was important in the development of the sport and is widely considered one of its greatest-ever players. He was born in Downend, Bristol and founded Mangotsfield Cricket Club in 1845.

Tony Bullimore (1939 – 2018)

Tony Bullimore nicknamed The British Bulldog, was a British businessman and international yachtsman. He is known especially for being rescued on 10 January 1997 during a sailing race after he had been presumed dead. He moved to Bristol in the early 1960s and together with his wife Lalel, opened the Afro-Caribbean-inspired Bamboo Club which hosted many famous reggae and American soul artists including Bob Marley and The Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, Ben E. King and Tina Turner.

Robin Cousins (1957 - )

Robin Cousins is a former competitive figure skater. He is the 1980 Olympic champion, the 1980 European champion, a three-time World medalist (1978–1980) and four-time British national champion (1977–1980). He was born and lives in Bristol.

Marcus Trescothick MBE (1975 - )

Trescothick is a former English cricketer, who represented England in 76 Test matches and 123 One Day Internationals. He was born in Bristol and grew up in Keynsham. 

Judd Trump (1989 - )

Judd Trump was born in Bristol and grew up in Whitchurch. He is a professional snooker player who became the World Champion in 2019 as well as the world number one. 

Ellis Genge (1995 - )

Ellis Genge is an English rugby union player who made his international debut for England in 2016. Genge was born is Bristol and grew up in the Knowle West area of Bristol.

Lando Norris (1999 - )

Lando Norris is a racing driver who was born in Bristol. Who competes in Formula One, for McLaren.

Comedy

Sir Bob Hope (1903 – 2003)

Bob Hope was a British-American stand-up comedian, actor, singer, dancer, athlete, and author. With a career that spanned nearly 80 years, Hope appeared in more than 70 short and feature films. Hope lived in Whitehall, Bristol, and then St George, Bristol before emigrating to the United States in 1908.

John Cleese (1939 - )

John Cleese is an actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for Monty Python and Fawlty Towers. He was born in Weston-super-Mare near Bristol and attended Clifton College.

John Fortune (1939 – 2013)

John Fortune was a satirist, comedian, writer, and actor, best known for his work with John Bird and Rory Bremner on the TV series Bremner, Bird and Fortune

Lee Evans (1964 - )

Lee Evans is stand-up comedian and actor from Avonmouth, Bristol.

Bill Bailey (1965 - )

Bill Bailey is a comedian, musician and actor. Bailey is known for his role in Black Books and for his appearances on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Have I Got News for You and QI, as well as his stand-up work. Bailey spent most of his childhood in Keynsham, near Bristol.

David Walliams OBE (1971 - )

David Walliams is a comedian, actor, writer, and television personality. He is best known for his work with Matt Lucas on Little Britain (2003–2007, 2020, being a judge on Britain's Got Talent and writing children's books, having sold more than 37 million copies worldwide. From 1989 to 1992, he studied at the University of Bristol.

James Redmond (1971 - )

James Redmond is an actor, comedian and model, known for his roles in Casualty and Hollyoaks. He attended Clifton College in Bristol

Stephen Merchant (1974 - )

Stephen Merchant is a comedian, writer, director, radio presenter and actor. He was born in Bristol and grew up in Hanham, later attending Hanham High School. He is best known for co-writing the British TV comedy series The Office (2001–2003), Extras (2005–2007), Life's Too Short (2011–2013). He has two Golden Globe Awards, three BAFTA TV Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and four British Comedy Awards. 

Matt Lucas (1974 - )

Matt Lucas is a comedian, actor and writer. He is best known for Little Britain (2003–2007, 2020), and Doctor Who (2015-2017). He studied at the University of Bristol between 1993 and 1995. 

Mark Olver (1975 - )

Mark Olver is stand-up comedian from Bristol. He grew up and still lives in the Brislington area of the city. He specialises as a compere and a warm-up act for television shows. He later lived with fellow comedians Russell Howard, Jon Richardson and John Robins for a year in Bristol. 

Russell Howard (1980 - )

Russell Howard is a stand-up comedian, television presenter, radio presenter and actor, best known for his TV shows Russell Howard's Good News and The Russell Howard Hour. He was born in Bristol and later studied at the University of the West of England in Bristol. He lived with fellow comedians Jon Richardson, Mark Olver and John Robins for a year in Bristol.

Mark Watson (1980 - )

Mark Watson is a stand-up comedian and author. He was born in Bristol and attended Henleaze Junior school and then Bristol Grammar School.

Jon Richardson (1982 - )

Jon Richardson is a stand-up comedian. Best known for his appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. He attended Bristol University and later lived with fellow comedians Russell Howard, Mark Olver and John Robins for a year in Bristol.

John Robins (1982 - )

John Robins is a stand-up comedian, television and radio presenter. John grew up in Bristol and was educated in Thornbury. He later lived with fellow comedians Russell Howard, Mark Olver and Jon Richardson for a year in Bristol. 

Jayde Adams (1984 - )

Jayde Adams is a comedian, actress, writer and singer from Bristol. She's the winner of the 2014 Funny Women award and 2016 nominee for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards.


Science and Technology

Paul Dirac (1902 - 1984)

Born in Bishopston, Bristol in 1902, Paul Dirac was considered to be one of the greatest and most influential theoretical physicists of his time. He formulated the Dirac Equation, and was responsible for leading the way towards the discovery of antimatter. He was a close friend of Albert Einstein's, and during his life won a shared Nobel Prize in physics with Erwin Schrödinger.

Sir Bernard Lovell (1913 – 2012)

Sir Bernard Lovell was an English physicist and radio astronomer. He was born in Oldland Common, Bristol and attended Kingswood Grammar School and the University of Bristol.

Colin Pillinger (1943 – 2014)

Colin Pillinger was an English planetary scientist who was born and grew up in Kingswood. He was a founding member of the Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute at the Open University and the principal investigator for the British Beagle 2 Mars lander project.


Art and Literature

Thomas Chatterton (1752 – 1770)

Thomas Chatterton was an English poet whose precocious talents ended in suicide at age 17. He was an influence on Romantic artists of the period such as Shelley, Keats, Wordsworth and Coleridge. He attended a school which is still located near to St Mary Recliffe Church.

Robert Southey (1774 - 1843)

Southey was an English poet of the Romantic school and England's Poet Laureate for 30 years from 1813 until his death in 1843. He was born in Wine Street, Bristol and married in St Mary Redcliffe Church.

Beryl Cook OBE (1926 - 2008)

Beryl Cook was an artist best known for her original and instantly recognisable paintings. She lived in Clifton, Bristol.

Damien Hirst (1965 - )

Damien Hirst is an conceptual, installation, paint and sculpture artist who was born in Bristol. He became famous for a series of artworks in which dead animals (including a shark, a sheep and a cow) are preserved, sometimes having been dissected, in formaldehyde.


Other famous residents of Bristol (past and present)

Tony Benn (1925 - 2014)

Labour’s longest-serving MP and a renowned figure of the left wing of British politics in the latter half of the 20th century.

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