Misplaced Pages

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, Leigh, Tyldesley, and other areas in the borough. This list is arranged alphabetically by surname:

A

• Andy Ainscow (born 1968), former footballer
• James Anderton, former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police
• Richard Ashcroft, lead singer of The Verve, born in Billinge
• Chris Ashton, England rugby league and rugby union international, born in Wigan
• Bill Ashurst, rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 1970s for Great Britain, Lancashire, Wigan, Penrith Panthers, Wakefield Trinity, and Runcorn Highfield, born in Wigan

B

• Alan R. Battersby, (born 1925) is a FRS and organic chemist known for his work on the genetic blueprint, structure, and synthetic pathway of Cyanocobalamin.
• 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
• Margery Booth, opera singer and World War II spy, born in Wigan
• 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
• Kay Burley, presenter and newsreader on Sky News, born in Beech Hill, Wigan
• James Burton, built several early cotton mills in Hindsford and Tyldesley, born in Clitheroe

C

• Duncan Cleworth, born in Leigh and a member of Tyldesley Swimming Club competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.

D

• Kathleen Mary Drew-Baker (1901–1957), psychologist, born in Leigh
• Kathryn Drysdale, actress

E

• Edith Edmonds, artist
• Shaun Edwards, rugby league player and coach of London Wasps rugby union coach; Wales national rugby union team defence coach
• Greg Ellis, actor and voiceover artist
• Edward Entwistle, driver of Stephenson's Rocket

F

• Georgie Fame, real name Clive Powell, R&B singer and keyboard player, born in Leigh
• Joseph Farington (1747–1821), watercolour artist, diarist and Royal Academician was born in Leigh where his father was the vicar.
• Andrew Farrell, former international rugby player of both codes, born and raised in Wigan and current head coach of the Ireland rugby union team
• Brian Finch, Wigan-born script-writer who contributed 151 episodes of Coronation Street over a period of 12 years
• Henry Finch (1633–1704), Presbyterian minister ejected from Church of England, born in Standish
• Phil Fletcher, puppeteer
• George Formby, Jr., comedian, ukulele player and actor

G

• Joe Gormley, former president of the National Union of Mineworkers
• Andy Gregory, former Wigan rugby league player, born in Ince in Makerfield, now lives in Ashton in Makerfield.
• Mike Gregory, former Great Britain national rugby league team and Warrington Wolves captain, former Wigan Warriors coach, born in Wigan
• John Elisha Grimshaw, recipient of the Victoria Cross, of "6 VCs before breakfast" fame

H

• Eddie Halliwell (born 1979 or 1980), disc jockey
• Roger Hampson (1925–1996), artist, printmaker and teacher, born in Tyldesley
• Keith Harris, music industry consultant & artist manager (Stevie Wonder), former chair of UK Music's Diversity & Equality Taskforce, grew up in Wigan.
• Thomas Highs (1718–1803), inventor of cotton spinning machinery, born in Leigh
• James Hilton, author of Goodbye, Mr Chips, born in Leigh
• Arthur John Hope (1875–1960), architect and partner in Bradshaw Gass & Hope, was born and lived in Atherton

I

• James Lawrence Isherwood, prolific impressionist/expressionist painter
• Robert Isherwood, born in Tyldesley in 1845, was the local miners' agent and treasurer of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners' Federation between 1881 and his death in1905.

K

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

L

• Eric Roberts Laithwaite (1921–1997), engineer, known for his development of the linear induction motor and Maglev rail system
• John Lennard-Jones (1894–1954), born in Leigh and attended Leigh Grammar School. He was a physicist and Fellow of the Royal Society.
• Limahl, real name Christopher Hamill, pop rock/dance vocalist, lead singer of Kajagoogoo
• James Lindsay, 24th Earl of Crawford (1783–1869), Earl of Balcarres, built Haigh Hall
• Luke Lowe (1889–?), Wigan-born football player. He briefly played in the Football League Second Division.

M

• Paul Mason (born 1960), journalist and broadcaster, born in Leigh.
• Jennifer Moss (1945-2006), actress best known for playing Lucille Hewitt in Coronation Street.
• Ian Murphy (born 1963), artist and art educator

N

• Walter Napier (1875–?), English professional footballer
• Fred Norris (1921–2006) who worked underground at Cleworth Hall Colliery in Tyldesley competed in the 1952 Helsinki and 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

O

• Sean O’Loughlin, former rugby league player and captain for Wigan Warriors and Great Britain
• Edward Ormerod, mining engineer at Gibfield Colliery; invented the Ormerod detaching hook, an important mining safety device

P

• Mary Pownall (1862–1937), sculptor, was the daughter of James Pownall the silk manufacturer. She was born and raised in Leigh.
• James Caldwell Prestwich (1852–1940), architect, born in Atherton, who designed many of Leigh's buildings including the town hall.

R

• Kris Radlinski, former rugby league player for Wigan Warriors and Great Britain, and current CEO of the club.
• Frank Randle, comedian, born in Aspull
• Ted Ray, comedian
• John Roby, folklorist

S

• Pete Shelley (1955–2018), born Peter Campbell McNeish in Leigh, singer, songwriter and guitarist with the Buzzcocks.
• Nigel Short, chess grandmaster, grew up in Atherton and attended St Philip's School
• Davey Boy Smith, professional wrestler for the WWF and WCW as The British Bulldog
• Danny Sonner, Wigan-born association football player who has represented Northern Ireland national football team
• John Stopford, Baron Stopford of Fallowfield, physician and anatomist, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester

T

• George Taylor, born in Wigan, footballer
• Georgia Taylor, actress best known for playing Toyah Battersby in Coronation Street
• Ella Toone, born in Wigan, footballer for England
• Addin Tyldesley who was born in Tyldesley and a member of the town's swimming and water polo club, competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics in London.
• Elizabeth Tyldesley, (1585–1654) the daughter of Thomas Tyldesley of Morleys Hall, Astley, was a 17th-century abbess at the Poor Clare Convent at Gravelines.
• Thomas Tyldesley, died in the Battle of Wigan Lane

W

• Charles Walmesley (1722–1797), Roman Catholic Titular Bishop of Rama; born in Langtree
• Dave Whelan, businessman nicknamed "Mr Wigan", founder of JJB Sports, former owner of Wigan Athletic, and former owner of Wigan Warriors
• Katie White, member of The Ting Tings, born and brought up in Lowton
• Danny Wilson, Wigan-born association football player and manager
• Gerrard Winstanley, founder of the 17th-century Diggers, born in Wigan.
• James Wood (1672–1759), Presbyterian minister of the first Atherton and Chowbent Chapels, led a force that successfully defended the bridge over the River Ribble at Walton le Dale in the Battle of Preston in 1715.
• Thomas Woodcock, recipient of the Victoria Cross, born in Wigan
• Caleb Wright (1810–1898), Member of Parliament and mill owner who built Barnfield Mills in Tyldesley

See also

• Hacker T. Dog, fictional dog from Wigan
• Wallace and Gromit, fictional residents of Wigan
• List of people from Greater Manchester

References

1. "Andy Ainscow". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
2. God's Cop : Biography of James Anderton (Michael Prince, 1989). New English Library Ltd. ISBN 0-450-49362-8
3. "Richard Ashcroft, famous people from Billinge".
4. "Chris Ashton England". ESPN.co.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
5. "Bill Ashurst". England Football Online. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
6. "Unveiling of the portrait of Professor Sir Alan Battersby", St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, 15 August 2015, retrieved 30 January 2018
7. McCoy, Heath. Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling, Revised Edition.
8. "WWII knicker spy Margery Booth photos to be auctioned". BBC News. 10 September 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
9. Thomas Burke, histclo.com, retrieved 2 November 2009
10. Tyldesley. 2 miles E.N.E. from Leigh (p113), Grace's Guide, retrieved 27 June 2012
11. Duncan Cleworth Olympic Results, Sports Reference, archived from the original on 18 April 2020, retrieved 1 June 2017
12. "Dr Kathleen Drew-Baker (1901-1957)" (PDF). Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 October 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
13. "Edmonds, Edith". Benezit Dictionary of Artists. 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
14. Sue Mott (16 February 2008), Fear of failure spurs Shaun Edwards, London: The Daily Telegraph Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
15. "England's first engine-driver". Otago Witness. No. 2786. New Zealand. 7 August 1907. p. 78. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
16. Georgie Fame bisgraphy
17. "Farington, Joseph (1747–1821)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/9161. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
18. "Wigan Warriors - the Official Website". Archived from the original on 27 November 2005. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
19. Anthony Hayward (30 June 2007), "Brian Finch", The Independent, London, archived from the original on 24 December 2008 Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
20. ^ "A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 6 – Standish with Langtree". British History Online. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
21. "Meet the Wigan puppet master behind Hacker T Dog". Wigan Today. 28 December 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
22. Richards, Jeffrey (2004), "Formby, George (1904–1961)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, retrieved 16 December 2008
23. Joe Gormley (1982). Battered cherub. Hamilton. ISBN 0-241-10754-7.
24. "Wigan Warriors - the Official Website". Archived from the original on 18 December 2007. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
25. Dave Hadfield (21 November 2007), "Mike Gregory: Inspirational Warrington and Great Britain rugby league forward", The Independent, London Retrieved on 5 December 2008.
26. Chris Staerck. "Six VCs before breakfast". Archived from the original on 5 March 2007.
27. Atinc, Ihsan (11 August 2006). "Eddie Halliwell Interview". DJ Mag. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
28. Roger Hampson 1925–1996 Nationality: British, Art UK, retrieved 10 October 2012
29. Hepburn, Henry (26 June 2015). "I just called to say.music tuition must be protected". TES. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
30. Inventions and inventors, Manchester City Council, archived from the original on 18 July 2011, retrieved 14 May 2011
31. James Hilton, jameshiltonsociety, archived from the original on 15 November 2009, retrieved 2 November 2009
32. Atherton Cenotaph designed by A J Hope, wigan.gov.uk, archived from the original on 23 February 2012, retrieved 4 April 2010
33. James Lawrence Isherwood, Wessexgallery.com.au, archived from the original on 11 June 2009, retrieved 2 July 2009 Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
34. "Death of Mr Robert Isherwood a well known miners' agent", Wigan Observer and District Advertiser, British Newspaper Archive via Findmypast, 6 January 1905, retrieved 26 November 2017 (subscription required)
35. Shaun Keaveny, BBC6Music, retrieved 2 November 2011
36. "Explore The World of Painters & Stainers at Bolton Museum". Retrieved 20 August 2012.
37. "KINNEAR, ROY - The Museum of Broadcast Communications". Archived from the original on 4 December 2010.
38. "To her, PA means personal assassin". The Sunday Times. 20 July 2014. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
39. Obituary – Professor Eric Laithwaite, Imperial College, retrieved 9 November 2009
40. Mott, N. F. (November 1955), "John Edward Lennard-Jones, 1894-1954", Biographical Memirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, vol. 1, The Royal Society, pp. 174–184, doi:10.1098/rsbm.1955.0013, retrieved 30 January 2018
41. Earls of Balcarres
42. ^ Simpson, Ray (2007). The Clarets Chronicles: The Definitive History of Burnley Football Club. Burnley: Burnley Football Club. p. 486. ISBN 978-0-9557468-0-2.
43. Paul Mason, The BBC, 5 August 2003, retrieved 30 January 2018
44. "Athlete and double Olympian Fred Norris has died, aged 85". The Bolton News. 21 January 2007. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
45. Edward Ormerod and Co Ltd, retrieved 27 February 2011
46. "Mary Pownall (Bromet)", Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow, retrieved 30 January 2018
47. LeighTownTrail Part1 (PDF), Wigan Council, 2000, p. 5, archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2011, retrieved 30 January 2017
48. Richards, Jeffrey (2004), "Randle, Frank (1901–1957)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, retrieved 16 December 2008
49. Midwinter, Eric (2004), "Ray, Ted (1905–1977)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, retrieved 16 December 2008
50. Old Bryn Hall, Wigan Archaeological Society Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
51. Rawlinson, Kevin (6 December 2018). "Pete Shelley, lead singer of punk band Buzzcocks, dies at 63". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
52. Nigel Short, chessbase.com, June 2005, retrieved 26 April 2013
53. "Family, friends and fans worldwide mourn the tragic loss of wrestling legend Davey Boy Smith". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. 2002. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016.
54. "Danny Sonner", The Guardian, London, archived from the original on 9 June 2011 Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
55. Mitchell, G. A. (1961). "Lord Stopford of Fallowfield". Journal of Anatomy. 95 (Pt 3): 437–440. PMC 1244498. PMID 13771330.
56. "George Taylor". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
57. Addin Tyldesley Olympic Results, Sports Reference, archived from the original on 18 April 2020, retrieved 1 June 2017
58. Tyldesley Family History, Peter Tyldesley, retrieved 1 June 2017
59. Blackwood, Gordon (2004), "Tyldesley, Sir Thomas (1612–1651)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.), Oxford University Press, retrieved 30 August 2010
60. Brian Viner (18 October 2003), "Dave Whelan: Whelan's millions have set Wigan buzzing", The Independent, London, archived from the original on 24 December 2008 Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
61. Whelan sells stake in JJB Sports, BBC Online, 8 June 2007 Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
62. "Katie enjoys the fame game - Leisure". Leigh Reporter. 16 April 2008. Archived from the original on 27 August 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
63. Rob Stewart (26 August 2008), Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson putting experience to good use in Carling Cup clash, London: The Daily Telegraph, archived from the original on 4 October 2009 Retrieved on 8 December 2008.
64. "Winstanley, Gerrard (bap. 1609, d. 1676), author and Digger". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/29872?docPos=2. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
65. "Wood, James (called General Wood) (1672–1759)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/29872?docPos=2. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
66. "Woodcock, Thomas". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
67. Caleb Wright, mill owner of Tyldesley and MP, 1810–1898, Tyldesley and District Historical Society, archived from the original on 23 December 2012, retrieved 7 November 2008

Bibliography

• People from the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan
• Lists of English people by location
• Lists of people from Greater Manchester