This is a list of people from Yorkshire. Yorkshire is the largest historic county in both England and the United Kingdom. Some of the most notable figures from the county are:
Lawyers and Jurists
Brenda Hale, Baroness Hale of Richmond, President of the British Supreme Court, 2017–2020
Inventors, explorers, scientists and pioneers
Name Place Life Comments Reference Edward Victor Appleton 1892–1965Nobel Prize in Physics in 1947 James Henry Atkinson Leeds 1849–1942inventor of the mousetrap Donald Bailey 1901–1985inventor of the Bailey BridgeWilliam Bateson 1861–1926 geneticist; first to use term "genetics" George Birkbeck 1776–1841doctor, philanthropist, founder of Birkbeck CollegeJoseph Bramah Barnsley 1748–1814invented hydraulic press; one of two founders of hydraulic engineering Harry Brearley 1871–1948 Sheffield inventor of stainless steelHenry Briggs 1561–1630perfected system of logarithms used today by astronomers, navigatorsPhil Burgan 1951– pharmacist; CEO and Chairman of MMCGRalph Burton d.1768British soldier and Canadian settler Sir George Cayleyborn in Scarborough 1773–1857engineer, one of the most important people in the history of aeronauticsCapt. James Cook Marton, Middlesbrough 1728–79 Georgian oceanic explorerCol. Thomas Cresap born in Skipton, Yorkshire circa 1700–1790 Western Maryland pioneer Rick Dickinson 1956(?)industrial designer responsible for the ZX80, ZX81, ZX Spectrum and Sinclair QL keyboards and casesJohn Harrison Foulby1693–1776horologist and mathematicianAmy Johnson born in Hull 1903–41aviatorJoseph Priestley born in Birstall 1733–1804physicist and chemistAugustus Pitt Rivers 1827–1900British Army officer, ethnologist, anthropologist and archaeologistNicholas Saunderson Thurlstone 1682–1739 Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, University of CambridgeThe Royal Society Archives Retrieved: 28 March 2009Helen Sharmanborn in Sheffield1963–first British cosmonaut, first Western European woman in spacePercy Shaw born in Halifax 1889–1975 inventor of the cat's eyes reflecting roadstudsBiographical Dictionary of the History of Technology by Lance Day, Ian McNeil quoted at Google Books Retrieved: 5 January 2008.John Smeaton 1724–92civil engineer responsible for the design of bridges, canals, harbours and lighthousesFrederick Walton born in Sowerby Bridge 1834–1928inventor of LinoleumJohn Wycliffe 1330–84theologian, reformist, pioneering translatorSīlācāra born in Hull1871–1951one of the earliest western Buddhist monk in modern times
Politicians and activists
Name Place Life Comments Reference H. H. Asquith born in Morley 1852–1928Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1908–16 William Bradford born in Austerfield 1590–1657Plymouth governor, pilgrim father Guy Fawkes York 1570–1606 Yorkshire-born soldier, part of the Gunpowder Plot Roy Hattersley born in Sheffield 1933– British Labour politician, author and journalist Elizabeth Smith Middleton born in Yorkshire 1814–1898 British-born Canadian temperance leader William Wilberforce born in Kingston upon Hull 1759–1833social campaigner who brought about the abolition of slavery Harold Wilson born in Huddersfield 1916–1995Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1964–70 and 1974–76
Writers
Name Place Life Comments Reference Simon Armitage born Huddersfield 1963– Poet, writer W. H. Auden born York 1907– 1973Poet, critic, essayist Edward Mendelson, Early Auden, Later Auden A Critical Biography (2017) Alcuin of York born near York 732–804Early Middle Ages scholar, ecclesiastic, poet and teacher Alan Bennett born in Leeds 1934– playwright and actor Barbara Taylor Bradford born in Leeds 1933– best-selling British-American novelist, debut novel, A Woman of Substance Anne Brontë born in Thornton 1820–49 writer, author of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall Branwell Brontë born in Thornton 1817–48writer and artist Charlotte Brontë born in Thornton 1816–55writer, author of Jane Eyre Emily Brontë born in Thornton 1818–48 writer, author of Wuthering Heights Cædmon born Whitby 657–684 Earliest English poet Bede's Historia ecclesiastica. Ian Clayton born in Featherstone 1959– Writer and broadcaster Margaret Drabble born in Sheffield 1939– literary Prize-winning writerStanley Ellis born in Bradford 1926–2009 English linguistics scholar, writer and broadcaster, English regional dialects. Helen Fielding born in Morley, West Yorkshire 1958– novelist and screenwriter, Bridget Jones's Diary (1996), The Edge of Reason (1999) Roger Hargreaves born in Cleckheaton 1935–1988 writer of the Mr. Men and Little Miss books Joanne Harris born in Barnsley 1964– English author, award-winning novel Chocolat Tony Harrison born in Leeds 1964– Poet, translator, critic, dramatist Susan Hill born Scarborough, North Yorkshire 1942– novels include The Woman in Black and I'm the King of the Castle, Somerset Maugham Award (1971). Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2012 Barry Hines born Hoyland Common near Barnsley 1939–2016 Novelist, television script-writer. A Kestrel for a Knave (1968), Kes Richard Hoggart born in Potternewton, Leeds 1918–2014 Writer on English literature, sociology and cultural studiesWinifred HoltbyRudston, East Riding of Yorkshire1898 - 1935Novelist of works based on 1920-1930 Yorkshire women's empowerment, her works include South Riding, The Land of Green Ginger, A Crowded Street, Anderby Wold Ted Hughes born in Mytholmroyd 1930–98 poet laureate of United Kingdom, 1984–1998.Anne Listerborn in Halifax, West Yorkshire1791-1840English landowner, diarist, and mountaineer.Calderdale, West Yorkshire Archive Service. Catalogue Number SH. Lister Family of Shibden Hall, Family and Estate Records, Including Records of Anne Lister, Diarist. Diaries added to the UNESCO UK Memory of the World Register. Andrew Marvell born in Winestead-in-Holderness, East Riding of Yorkshire 1621–78 poetIan McMillanborn in Darfield, South Yorkshire1956– poetJulie O'Neill1971– author J. B. Priestley born in Bradford 1894–1984 writer, novelist and broadcaster Christopher Riley born in Bridlington 1967– Science and history writer and documentarian Ray Robinson born in Northallerton 1971– English novelist and screenwriter, award-winning novel Electricity Sally Wainwright born in Huddersfield, Yorkshire 1963– English television writer, producer, and director: Scott & Bailey (2011–2016), Last Tango in Halifax (2012–2016), Happy Valley (2014–present), and Gentleman Jack (2019–2022). Keith Waterhouse born in Hunslet, Leeds 1929–2009 British novelist, newspaper columnist, many television series, novels: Billy Liar (1959) Stanley Wells born in Hull 1930– Shakespearean scholar, writer, professor and editor who has been honorary president of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, professor emeritus at the University of Birmingham
Saints
Name Place Life Comments Reference Margaret Clitherow born in York 1556–1586saint, martyr Edwin of Northumbria Not born in Yorkshire 585–633 saint, King of Northumbria John of Beverley Harpham and Beverley d. 721bishop, founder and patron saint of Beverley John Fisher Beverley 1469–1535bishop, cardinal, saint, martyr Hilda of Whitby 614–680 princess, nun, nurse, founding abbess of Whitby Abbey and patron saint of Whitby Blessed Nicholas Postgate Egton 1596–1679 martyr
Entertainers
Actors and actresses Name Place Life Comments Reference Mark Addy York actor Julian Barratt Leeds actor, comedian Keith Barron Mexborough actor Sean Bean Sheffield 1959– actor Brian Blessed Mexborough 1936– actor Chuckle Brothers Rotherham 1944–2018, 1947– TV actors Sir Tom Courtenay Hull, East Riding actor Dame Judi Dench York actressPeter FirthBradfordactorJames FrainLeedsactor Brian Glover Sheffield (raised in Barnsley) actor, comedianCharlie HeatonBridlington1994–actorElizabeth HenstridgeSheffield1987-actress, model, fashion designer, YouTuber, podcaster and director Ralph Ineson Leeds actor Gorden Kaye Huddersfield 1941–2017 Actor, comedian Sir Ben Kingsley Scarborough actor Charles Laughton Scarborough 1899–1962 actor, screenwriter, and director of the film The Night of The Hunter Matthew Lewis Leeds actor James Mason Huddersfield 1909–1984 actor Michael Palin Sheffield 1943– actor, comedian Andrew-Lee Potts Bradford actor Dame Diana Rigg Doncaster 1938–2020 actress Jack Shepherd Leeds actor Peter O'Toole Leeds actor Sir Patrick Stewart Mirfield actor Laura White Yorkshire 1996– actress Liz White Rotherham 1979– actress Jodie Whittaker Skelmanthorpe actress Tom Wilkinson Leeds actor
Television performers
Name Place Life Comments Reference Jeremy Clarkson Doncaster presenter and former host of BBC TV's Top Gear Angela Crow Wharfedale 1938– actress Rodney Bewes Bingley, Bradford1937–2017 comedian, actor Ryan Swain (presenter) North Yorkshire 1990– television and radio presenter, DJ, motivational speaker and mental health campaigner Roy Castle Scholes1932–1994 comedian, singer, actor, television presenterGRO Register of Births: DEC 1932 9a 303 HUDDERSFIELD – Roy Castle, mmn = Swallow Paul Daniels South Bank, Middlesbrough1938–2016 illusionist, quiz show host Adrian Edmondson Bradford1957– comedian, actor Leigh Francis (Keith Lemon) Beeston, Leeds1973– comedian, entertainer Frankie Howerd York1917–1992 comedian Gorden Kaye Huddersfield1941–2017 actor Bob Mortimer Acklam, Middlesbrough1959– comedian, entertainer Wendy Richard Middlesbrough1943–2009 actress Paul Shane Thrybergh, Rotherham1940–2013 comedian, actor Mollie Sugden Keighley1922–2009actress Dame Penelope Wilton Scarborough1946– actress Ernie Wise Bramley1925–1999 comedian
Musicians and bands
Name Place Life Comments ReferenceArctic Monkeysformed in Sheffieldindie bandJames Arthurborn in Middlesbrough1988–singerAsking Alexandria formed in York metalcore bandMel B Leedsmember of the Spice Girls Dame Janet Baker opera singer John Barry York best known for his soundtracks for James Bond films and Midnight CowboyThe Beautiful South formed in Hull popular music bandBring Me the Horizonformed in Sheffieldmetalcore bandArthur Brown rock singerTony Christie Conisbrough singerJoe Cocker Sheffield rock singerDavid Coverdaleborn in Saltburn-by-the-Sealead vocalist for Deep Purple and Whitesnake The Cribsformed in Wakefieldindie bandKiki Dee Bradford singer-songwriterDef Leppardformed in Sheffield hard rock groupFrederick Delius Bradford composer Gang of Four formed in Leedspost-punk group Vin Garbutt born in South Bank, Middlesbrough folk singerLesley Garrett Doncasteropera singerGareth Gates born in BradfordsingerHeaven 1780s bandThe Human League formed in Sheffield synthpop bandKaiser Chiefs formed in Leeds indie band Zayn Malik born in Bradford Singer-songwriter and former member of boy band One DirectionJane McDonaldborn in WakefieldsingerJohn McLaughinborn in Doncaster1942–jazz guitaristJohn Newmanborn in Settle1990–soul singerRobert Palmer Batley1949–2003singerPulpformed in Sheffieldpopular music bandCorinne Bailey Rae born in LeedssingerChris Rea born in MiddlesbroughsingerPaul Rodgers born in Middlesbrough1949–rock singer-songwriter, best known for his success in the 1970s as a member of Free and Bad CompanyKate Rusby folk singerShed Seven formed in Yorkindie-rock bandEd Sheeranborn in Hebden BridgesingerBenson Taylor born in BradfordComposerKimberley Walsh born in Bradfordmember of pop group Girls AloudChristopher Wolstenholme born in Rotherham bassist of MuseLouis William Tomlinsonborn in Doncaster Singer-songwriter and member of boy group One Direction, currently soloDominic Harrisonborn in DoncasterSinger YungbludSaxon (band)formed in BarnsleyHeavy Metal band part of the NWOBHM
Sport