List of people from Wigan

This is a list of people from Wigan, in North West England. The demonym of Wigan is Wiganer; however, this list may include people from the wider Metropolitan Borough of Wigan—from Ashton-in-Makerfield, Hindley, Ince-in-Makerfield, Atherton, Greater Manchester, Leigh, Leigh people are called Leythers and do not like the association with Wigan as they are a separate town, but governed by Wigan council. Tyldesley and other outlying areas from Wigan. This list is arranged alphabetically by surname:

Table of contents: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Without biographies • See also • References

A

• James Anderton, former Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police^[1]
• Richard Ashcroft, lead singer of The Verve, born in Billinge^[2]
• Chris Ashton, England rugby league and rugby union international, born in Wigan^[3]
• Bill Ashurst, rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 70s for Great Britain, Wigan, Penrith Panthers, and Wakefield Trinity, born in Wigan^[4]

B

• Tom Billington, professional wrestler under the ring name 'Dynamite Kid', one half of tag-team 'The British Bulldogs' with Davey Boy Smith, born in Golborne^[5]
• Margery Booth, opera singer and World War II spy, born in Wigan^[6]
• Thomas Burke, international operatic tenor; born in Leigh in 1890 and attended St Joseph's School in Leigh; the Leigh Wetherspoon's pub is named after him^[7]
• Kay Burley, presenter and newsreader on Sky News, born in Wigan^[8]
• James Burton, built several early cotton mills in Hindsford and Tyldesley, born in Clitheroe^[9]

D

• Kathleen Mary Drew-Baker (1901–1957), psychologist, born in Leigh^[10]

E

• Shaun Edwards, rugby league player and coach of London Wasps rugby union coach; Wales national rugby union team defence coach^[11]
• Beth Ellis (1874-1913), novelist and travel writer
• Greg Ellis, actor and voiceover artist^[12]
• Edward Entwistle, driver of Stephenson's Rocket^[13]

F

• Georgie Fame, real name Clive Powell, R&B singer and keyboard player, born in Leigh^[14]
• Andrew Farrell, former international rugby player of both codes, born and raised in Wigan^[15]
• Brian Finch, Wigan-born script-writer who contributed 151 episodes of Coronation Street over a period of 12 years^[16]
• Henry Finch (1633–1704), Presbyterian minister ejected from Church of England, born in Standish^[17]
• Paul Finch, son of Brian Finch; now a scriptwriter and author as his father; creator of the "Heck" series of novels
• George Formby, Jr., comedian, ukulele player and actor^[18]

G

• Joe Gormley, former president of the National Union of Mineworkers^[19]
• Andy Gregory, former Wigan rugby league player, born and lives in Wigan^[20]
• Mike Gregory, former Great Britain national rugby league team and Warrington Wolves captain, former Wigan Warriors coach, born in Wigan^[21]
• John Elisha Grimshaw, recipient of the Victoria Cross, of "6 VCs before breakfast" fame^[22]

H

• Eddie Halliwell, DJ^[23]
• Roger Hampson (1925–1996), artist, printmaker and teacher, born in Tyldesley^[24]
• Thomas Highs (1718–1803), inventor of cotton spinning machinery, born in Leigh^[25]
• James Hilton, author of Goodbye, Mr Chips, born in Leigh^[26]
• Arthur John Hope (1875–1960), architect and partner in Bradshaw Gass & Hope, was born and lived in Atherton^[27]

I

• James Lawrence Isherwood, prolific impressionist/expressionist painter^[28]

K

• Shaun Keaveny, born in Leigh; on 11 February 2011, broadcast his BBC 6 Music breakfast show live from Leigh Library^[29]
• Thomas Kershaw (1819–1898), pioneer in creating imitation marble, born in Standish^[30]
• Roy Kinnear (1934-1988), comedy actor, born in Wigan^[31]
• Victoria Knowles (1976), author of bestselling book The PA^[32]

L

• Eric Roberts Laithwaite (1921–1997), engineer, known for his development of the linear induction motor and Maglev rail system^[33]
• Limahl, real name Christopher Hamill, pop rock/dance vocalist, lead singer of Kajagoogoo^[34]
• James Lindsay, 24th Earl of Crawford (1783–1869), Earl of Balcarres, built Haigh Hall^[35]

M

• Stuart Maconie, writer, DJ and presenter, attended St John Rigby school and has a star on the Wigan Walk
• Barry Mason, songwriter, born in Wigan
• Paul Mason (born 1960), journalist and broadcaster, born in Leigh^[36]

O

• Edward Ormerod, mining engineer at Gibfield Colliery; invented the Ormerod detaching hook, an important mining safety device^[37]
• Leon Osman, footballer for Everton

R

• Frank Randle, comedian,^[38] born in Aspull
• Ted Ray, comedian^[39]
• John Roby, folklorist^[40]

S

• Lemn Sissay, British author and broadcaster
• John Scott, K.C.M.G, D.C.L., Judicial Advisor to the Khedive, 1891-1898
• Nigel Short, chess grandmaster, grew up in Atherton and attended St Philip's School^[41]
• Brian Simpson, MEP Chair of the Transport and Tourism Committee European Parliament
• Davey Boy Smith, professional wrestler for the WWF and WCW as The British Bulldog^[42]
• Danny Sonner, Wigan-born association football player who has represented Northern Ireland national football team^[43]
• Rob Speak, multiple BriSCA Formula 2 Stock Cars World Champion and National Points Champion; from Tyldesley
• John Stopford, Baron Stopford of Fallowfield, FRS, physician and anatomist, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester; born in Hindley Green^[44]

T

• Simon Tong, born in Wigan; bassist/guitarist with bands The Verve; The Good, the Bad & the Queen; and Gorillaz^[45]
• Thomas Tyldesley, died in the Battle of Wigan Lane^[46]

W

• Charles Walmesley (1722–1797), Roman Catholic Titular Bishop of Rama; born in Langtree^[17]
• Colin Welland, writer and actor, taught art at Manchester Road Secondary School, Leigh; born in Leigh
• Dave Whelan, businessman with the nickname "Mr Wigan" as a result of his involvement in the town's sport; founder of JJB Sports, owner of Wigan Athletic, and former owner of Wigan Warriors^[47][48]
• Danny Wilson, Wigan-born association football player and manager^[49]
• Gerrard Winstanley, founder of the 17th-century Diggers, born in Wigan^[50]
• Thomas Woodcock, recipient of the Victoria Cross, born in Wigan^[51]
• Caleb Wright (1810–1898), Member of Parliament and mill owner who built Barnfield Mills in Tyldesley^[52]

See also

• List of people from Greater Manchester

References

1. God's Cop : Biography of James Anderton (Michael Prince, 1989). New English Library Ltd. ISBN 0-450-49362-8
2. http://www.information-britain.co.uk/famousbrits.php?id=1727
3. "Chris Ashton England". ESPN.co.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
4. "Bill Ashurst". England Football Online. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
5. McCoy, Heath. Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling, Revised Edition.
6. "WWII knicker spy Margery Booth photos to be auctioned". BBC news. 10 September 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
7. Thomas Burke, histclo.com, retrieved 2 November 2009
8. "Kay Burley". Retrieved 16 September 2014.
9. Tyldesley. 2 miles E.N.E. from Leigh (p113), Grace's Guide, retrieved 27 June 2012
10. "Dr Kathleen Drew-Baker (1901-1957)" (PDF). Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
11. Sue Mott (16 February 2008), Fear of failure spurs Shaun Edwards, London: The Daily Telegraph Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
13. "England's first engine-driver". Otago Witness (2786). New Zealand. 7 August 1907. p. 78. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
14. Georgie Fame bisgraphy
15. https://www.wiganwarriors.com/news_full.asp?newsid=1144
16. Anthony Hayward (30 June 2007), Brian Finch, London: The Independent Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
17. "A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 6 – Standish with Langtree". British History Online. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
18. Richards, Jeffrey (2004), "Formby, George (1904–1961)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, retrieved 16 December 2008
19. Joe Gormley (1982). Battered cherub. Hamilton. ISBN 0-241-10754-7.
20. http://www.wiganwarriors.com/SquadMember.asp?teamid=5&id=193
21. Dave Hadfield (21 November 2007), Mike Gregory: Inspirational Warrington and Great Britain rugby league forward, London: The Independent Retrieved on 5 December 2008.
22. http://web.archive.org/web/20070305115542/http://www.gallipoli-association.org/6VCs_Before_Breakfast.htm
23. Radio 1 announces new dance show The Residency, BBC Online, 5 May 2005 Retrieved on 21 December 2008.
24. Roger Hampson 1925–1996 Nationality: British, BBC and the Public Catalogue Foundation, retrieved 10 October 2012
25. Inventions and inventors, Manchester City Council, retrieved 14 May 2011
26. James Hilton, jameshiltonsociety, retrieved 2 November 2009
27. Atherton Cenotaph designed by A J Hope, wigan.gov.uk, retrieved 4 April 2010
28. James Lawrence Isherwood, Wessexgallery.com.au Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
29. Shaun Keaveny, BBC6Music, retrieved 2 November 2011
30. "Explore The World of Painters & Stainers at Bolton Museum". Retrieved 20 August 2012.
31. http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=kinnearroy
32. "To her, PA means personal assassin". The Sunday Times. July 2014. Retrieved July 2014. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
33. Obituary – Professor Eric Laithwaite, Imperial College, retrieved 9 November 2009
34. Limahl biography
35. Earls of Balcarres
36. Paul Mason, BBC Newsnight
37. Edward Ormerod and Co Ltd, retrieved 27 February 2011
38. Richards, Jeffrey (2004), "Randle, Frank (1901–1957)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, retrieved 16 December 2008
39. Midwinter, Eric (2004), "Ray, Ted (1905–1977)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, retrieved 16 December 2008
40. Old Bryn Hall, Wigan Archaeological Society Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
41. Nigel Short, chessbase.com, retrieved 26 April 2013
42. "Family, friends and fans worldwide mourn the tragic loss of wrestling legend Davey Boy Smith". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. 2002.
43. Danny Sonner, London: The Guardian, archived from the original on 9 June 2011 Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
44. Mitchell, G. A. (1961). "Lord Stopford of Fallowfield". Journal of Anatomy. 95 (Pt 3): 437–440. PMC 1244498. PMID 13771330.
45. "Simon Tong". BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
46. Blackwood, Gordon (2004), "Tyldesley, Sir Thomas (1612–1651)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.), Oxford University Press, retrieved 30 August 2010, (subscription required (help))
47. Brian Viner (18 October 2003), Dave Whelan: Whelan's millions have set Wigan buzzing, London: The Independent Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
48. Whelan sells stake in JJB Sports, BBC Online, 8 June 2007 Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
49. Rob Stewart (26 August 2008), Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson putting experience to good use in Carling Cup clash, London: The Daily Telegraph Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
50. Gerrard Winstanley, ElmbridgeMuseum.org.uk Retrieved on 5 December 2008.
51. "Woodcock, Thomas". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
52. Caleb Wright, mill owner of Tyldesley and MP, 1810–1898, Tyldesley and District Historical Society, retrieved 7 November 2008

Bibliography