The title of Freedom of the City is an honorary title granted by a city or corporation. It is granted to individuals to recognise exceptional services, usually to the city, or occasionally to the nation. Since the enactment of the Honorary Freedom of Boroughs Act 1885, councils of boroughs and cities in England and Wales have been permitted to resolve to admit "persons of distinction" to be honorary freemen. This list is based on that published by the Liverpool City Council. The Honour can also be awarded to Military Units or other Uniformed Services. when done this is referred to as the "Freedom of Entry".
NameDatesAppointedNotes1824–1902Military engineer, then colonial official who became Governor of the Straits Settlements; earlier he helped to stabilise the dam at Lake Vyrnwy.Shaw, A. G. L. (2004) 'Clarke, Sir Andrew (1824–1902)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009. 1824–93Developer of breweries, local politician, benefactor, and founder of the Walker Art Gallery.Sutton, C. W. (2004) 'Walker, Sir Andrew Barclay, first baronet (1824–1893)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009. Liverpool merchant who paid for the building of the Home for Ancient Mariners.1819–1902Liverpool merchant who worked to improve the nursing services in the city, and helped to found Liverpool University; he was MP for the Liverpool constituency.Pedersen, Susan (2004) 'Rathbone, William (1819–1902)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009. 1819–99Sugar refiner in Liverpool, founder of the Tate Gallery, and benefactor of Liverpool University.Munting, Roger (2004) 'Tate, Sir Henry, first baronet (1819–1899)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009. 1809–98Politician, born in Liverpool, who was Prime Minister four times.Matthew, H. C. G. (2004) 'Gladstone, William Ewart (1809–1898)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009. 1823–1903Merchant who established considerable trade between Britain and China. Long time member of the city council and promoter of elementary education.c1838–1923Mayor of Liverpool 1889–1890 and Lord Mayor 1896–1897. Took a prominent part in securing the extension of the city boundaries in 1895. As a magistrate worked for the reform of the licensing of public houses. Later knighted.c1818–1903Businessman and banker, chairman of the Mersey Docks and Harbour BoardBorn in New South Wales, established the David Lewis Trust for the benefit of the working classes of Liverpool and Manchester.1838–1928Born in Liverpool, a collector of illuminated manuscripts, proprietor of the Pall Mall Gazette, and benefactor.Bell, Alan (2004) 'Thompson, Henry Yates (1838–1928)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009. 1832–1914Army officer in charge of British troops in the Second Boer War.Robson, Brian (2004) 'Roberts, Frederick Sleigh, first Earl Roberts (1832–1914)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009. 1840–1928Merchant, ship owner and politician; involved in financing the building of Liverpool Cathedral.Killick, J. R. (2004) 'Forwood, Sir William Bower (1840–1928)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009. First chairman of the Liverpool Overhead Railway.1841–1908Politician and Governor General of Canada.Matthew, H. C. G. (2004) 'Stanley, Frederick Arthur, sixteenth earl of Derby (1841–1908)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009. 1832–1908Liverpool's first Lord Mayor.1835–1919Steelmaker and philanthropist who founded many free public libraries.Tweedale, Geoffrey (2004) 'Carnegie, Andrew (1835–1919)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009. 1833–1919Merchant who gave his name to Gladstone Dock: chairman of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, and involved in the founding of Liverpool University and the planning of Liverpool Cathedral.1865–1948Politician who twice became Secretary of State for War and was the British Ambassador to France from 1918 to 1920.Grieves, Keith (2004) 'Stanley, Edward George Villiers, seventeenth earl of Derby (1865–1948)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 21 October 2009. 1862–1952Prime Minister of Australia 1915–19231837–1916Senior partner in a shipping firm, and local politician who gave the Roby Hall estate to the city; it is now known as Bowring Park, Knowsley. He married Isabel Maclean Jarvis, who was sympathetic to the suffering and needy among the poor of Liverpool.Chairman of the Tramways Committee.1871–1936Admiral in the First World War and later First Sea Lord.Ranft, Bryan (2004) 'Beatty, David, first Earl Beatty (1871–1936)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 21 October 2009. 1861–1928Commander of the British Expeditionary Force in the First World War.Prior, Robin, and Wilson, Trevor (2004) 'Haig, Douglas, first Earl Haig (1861–1928)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 21 October 2009. An early benefactor of what was to become the University of Liverpool.1863–1928Political organiser, once described as 'the king of Liverpool'.Waller, Philip, (2004) 'Salvidge, Sir Archibald Tutton James (1863–1928)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 24 November 2009. Chairman of the Joint Tunnel Committee who developed the Queensway Tunnel.1856–1938Trade unionist who was head of the National Union of Dock Labour in Liverpool and a founder member of the Independent Labour Party.Phillips, G. A. (2004) 'Sexton, Sir James (1856–1938)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 21 October 2009. 1856–1936 Chairman of C T Bowring & Co., merchants and shipowners. Lord Mayor of Liverpool 1925–1927.1883–1964Businessman and politician who was involved in the management of Lewis's department store, was Minister of Food in the Second World War, and later Chairman of the Conservative Party.Kandiah, Michael D. (2004) 'Marquis, Frederick James, first earl of Woolton (1883–1964)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 21 October 2009. 1883–1951Submarine commander in the First World War and commander-in-chief of the Western Approaches in the Second World War.Chalmers, W. S. (2004) 'Horton, Sir Max Kennedy (1883–1951)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 21 October 2009. 1887–1959Architect who designed many of Liverpool's art deco cinemas.1872–1947Partner in Alfred Holt & Co., benefactor of Liverpool University and Lord Mayor of Liverpool.1900–1977Birkenhead-born doctor who became the senior physician at Liverpool Royal Infirmary, Professor of Medicine at Liverpool University, and served in other major positions in the medical profession.Clarke, Cyril (2004) 'Cohen, Henry, Baron Cohen of Birkenhead (1900–1977)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009. 1889–1986A partner in the Bibby Line and the first Bibby baronet.1902–1993Politician who was Labour MP for the Liverpool Wavertree constituency and later Lord Mayor of Liverpool.1887–1970Chairman of the Liverpool Cathedral Executive Committee who helped to raise money towards its building.1899–1970Known as "Bessie" Braddock, a trade union activist and Labour MP for the Liverpool Exchange constituency.Vallance, Elizabeth, revised Robert Ingham (2004) 'Braddock, Elizabeth Margaret [Bessie] (1899–1970)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009. 1896–1993Businessman and philanthropist who established Littlewoods Football pools and Littlewoods mail-order business. Liverpool John Moores University is named after him.Clegg, Barbara(2004) 'Moores, Sir John (1896–1993)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009. 1919–1996Better known as Bob Paisley; player for Liverpool F.C., then captain, and later manager and director of the club.Waller, Phillip (2004) 'Paisley, Robert [Bob] (1919–1996)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009. 1940–1980Musician, composer, and political activist; member of The Beatles.Middleton, Richard (2004) 'Lennon, John Ono (1940–1980)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009. 1943–2001Musician and composer; member of The Beatles.Rooksby, Rikky (2004) '‘Harrison, George (1943–2001)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009. 1942 – Musician, composer and animal rights activist; member of The Beatles.1940 – Better known as Ringo Starr, drummer of The Beatles.1922–1991Left-wing politician, president of the Liverpool Trades Council, later MP for the Liverpool Walton constituency.Roth, Andrew(2004) 'Heffer, Eric Samuel (1922–1991)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009. 1918 –2013Anti-apartheid activist who became the first black President of South Africa.1929–2005International cricketer who became Bishop of Liverpool. Worked closely with Archbishop Derek Worlock.Butland, Godfrey(2004) 'Sheppard, David Stuart, Baron Sheppard of Liverpool (1929–2005)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009. 1920–1996Bishop of Portsmouth, then Archbishop of Liverpool. Worked closely with Bishop David Sheppard.Nichols, Vincent (2004) 'Worlock, Derek John Harford (1920–1996)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009. 1932–1994Entertainer and charity worker; the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is named after him.McCann, Graham (2004) 'Castle, Roy (1932–1994)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009. 1927 – 2018Liverpool comedian, actor, singer, composer, entertainer, and charity worker.1932–2000Birkenhead-born poet and painter; one of the Liverpool poets.Haig, Catriona (2004) 'Henri, Adrian Maurice (1932–2000)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009. 1937 –Liverpool-born poet; one of the Liverpool poets.1946 – Liverpool-born poet and author of children's books; one of the Liverpool poets.1956 – Businessman born in Liverpool who became the chief executive of Tesco.1961 – British soldier injured in the Falklands War who later became recognised for his charity work.1925–2017Liverpool solicitor who has been involved in high profile and controversial cases.1942 – 2021 Musician; onetime leader of Gerry & the PacemakersPrincipal of the Liverpool Theatre School1939–First Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores UniversityFounder of the children's charity Kind.1933–President of the Board of Trade (nicknamed "Minister for Merseyside") for helping to rebuild the city after the 1981 Toxteth riots.Former principal of Liverpool Community College; mediator in the 1981 Toxteth riots.English actor.All those who died in the Hillsborough disaster of 1989. 1948–Chairman of the Hillsborough Independent Panel.Chairman of the Eldonians Community Based Housing Association.1968-Local radio1949–Television producer and writer1948–Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool. 1949–English Screenwriter and Producer. 1967–German football manager of Liverpool F.C.1943–English Actress
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