List of Freemen of the City of Liverpool explained

The title of Freedom of the Cityis 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 City of Liverpool. The Honour can also be awarded to Military Units or other Uniformed Services. when done this is referred to as the "Freedom of Entry".

Name	Dates	Appointed	Notes
	1824–1902		Military engineer, then colonial official who became Governor of the Straits Settlements; earlier he helped to stabilise the dam at Lake Vyrnwy.^[1]
	1824–93		Developer of breweries, local politician, benefactor, and founder of the Walker Art Gallery.^[2]
			Liverpool merchant who paid for the building of the Home for Ancient Mariners.
	1819–1902		Liverpool merchant who worked to improve the nursing services in the city, and helped to found Liverpool University; he was MP for the Liverpool constituency.^[3]
	1819–99		Sugar refiner in Liverpool, founder of the Tate Gallery, and benefactor of Liverpool University.^[4]
	1809–98		Politician, born in Liverpool, who was Prime Minister four times.^[5]
	1823–1903		Merchant who established considerable trade between Britain and China. Long time member of the city council and promoter of elementary education.^[6]
	c1838–1923		Mayor of Liverpool 1889–1890 and Lord Mayor 1896–1897. Took a prominent part in securing the extension of the city boundaries in 1895.^[7] As a magistrate worked for the reform of the licensing of public houses. Later knighted.^[8]
	c1818–1903		Businessman and banker, chairman of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board^[9] ^[10]
			Born in New South Wales, established the David Lewis Trust for the benefit of the working classes of Liverpool and Manchester.^[11] ^[12]
	1838–1928		Born in Liverpool, a collector of illuminated manuscripts, proprietor of the Pall Mall Gazette, and benefactor.^[13]
	1832–1914		Army officer in charge of British troops in the Second Boer War.^[14]
	1840–1928		Merchant, ship owner and politician; involved in financing the building of Liverpool Cathedral.^[15] First chairman of the Liverpool Overhead Railway.
	1841–1908		Politician and Governor General of Canada.^[16]
	1832–1908		Liverpool's first Lord Mayor.
	1835–1919		Steelmaker and philanthropist who founded many free public libraries.^[17]
	1833–1919		Merchant 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.
	1865–1948		Politician who twice became Secretary of State for War and was the British Ambassador to France from 1918 to 1920.^[18]
	1862–1952		Prime Minister of Australia 1915–1923
	1837–1916		Senior 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.^[19]
			Chairman of the Tramways Committee.
	1871–1936		Admiral in the First World War and later First Sea Lord.^[20]
	1861–1928		Commander of the British Expeditionary Force in the First World War.^[21]
			An early benefactor of what was to become the University of Liverpool.
	1863–1928		Political organiser, once described as 'the king of Liverpool'.^[22]
			Chairman of the Joint Tunnel Committee who developed the Queensway Tunnel.
	1856–1938		Trade unionist who was head of the National Union of Dock Labour in Liverpool and a founder member of the Independent Labour Party.^[23]
	1856–1936		Chairman of C T Bowring & Co., merchants and shipowners. Lord Mayor of Liverpool 1925–1927.^[24]
	1883–1964		Businessman 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.^[25]
	1883–1951		Submarine commander in the First World War and commander-in-chief of the Western Approaches in the Second World War.^[26]
	1887–1959		Architect who designed many of Liverpool's art deco cinemas.
	1872–1947		Partner in Alfred Holt & Co., benefactor of Liverpool University and Lord Mayor of Liverpool.
	1900–1977		Birkenhead-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.^[27]
	1889–1986		A partner in the Bibby Line and the first Bibby baronet.
	1902–1993		Politician who was Labour MP for the Liverpool Wavertree constituency and later Lord Mayor of Liverpool.
	1887–1970		Chairman of the Liverpool Cathedral Executive Committee who helped to raise money towards its building.
	1899–1970		Known as "Bessie" Braddock, a trade union activist and Labour MP for the Liverpool Exchange constituency.^[28]
	1896–1993		Businessman and philanthropist who established Littlewoods Football pools and Littlewoods mail-order business. Liverpool John Moores University is named after him.^[29]
	1919–1996		Better known as Bob Paisley; player for Liverpool F.C., then captain, and later manager and director of the club.^[30]
	1940–1980		Musician, composer, and political activist; member of The Beatles.^[31]
	1943–2001		Musician and composer; member of The Beatles.^[32]
	1942 –		Musician, composer and animal rights activist; member of The Beatles.
	1940 –		Better known as Ringo Starr, drummer of The Beatles.
	1922–1991		Left-wing politician, president of the Liverpool Trades Council, later MP for the Liverpool Walton constituency.^[33]
	1918 –2013		Anti-apartheid activist who became the first black President of South Africa.
	1929–2005		International cricketer who became Bishop of Liverpool. Worked closely with Archbishop Derek Worlock.^[34]
	1920–1996		Bishop of Portsmouth, then Archbishop of Liverpool. Worked closely with Bishop David Sheppard.^[35]
	1932–1994		Entertainer and charity worker; the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is named after him.^[36]
	1927 – 2018		Liverpool comedian, actor, singer, composer, entertainer, and charity worker.
	1932–2000		Birkenhead-born poet and painter; one of the Liverpool poets.^[37]
	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.
	1925–2017		Liverpool solicitor who has been involved in high profile and controversial cases.
	1942 – 2021 ^[38]		Musician; onetime leader of Gerry & the Pacemakers
			Principal of the Liverpool Theatre School^[39]
	1939–		First Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University^[40]
			Founder 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.
			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 radio
	1949–		Television producer and writer
	1948–		Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool.^[41] ^[42] ^[43]
	1949–		English Screenwriter and Producer.^[44]
	1967–		German football manager of Liverpool F.C.^[45]
	1943–		English Actress^[46]

Notes and References

1. Shaw, A. G. L. (2004) 'Clarke, Sir Andrew (1824–1902)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009.
2. 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.
3. [Susan Pedersen (historian)|Pedersen, Susan]
4. Munting, Roger (2004) 'Tate, Sir Henry, first baronet (1819–1899)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009.
5. Matthew, H. C. G. (2004) 'Gladstone, William Ewart (1809–1898)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009.
6. Web site: Samuel Greg Rathbone (17 May 1823-12 March 1903) . https://web.archive.org/web/20130224054502/http://sca.lib.liv.ac.uk/collections/colldescs/rathbone/sam.htm. 24 February 2013. Special Collections & Archives . . 11 June 2014.
7. News: City Council . . 28 October 1897 . 10.
8. News: Obituary: Sir Thomas Hughes . . 3 November 1923 . 14.
9. News: The Liverpool Docks . . 16 December 1898 . 9.
10. News: Obituary: Mr John Brancker JP . . 4 June 1903 . 8.
11. News: The David Lewis Trust . . 8 July 1893 . 15.
12. News: An Australian Honoured . . 23 October 1901 . 7 .
13. Bell, Alan (2004) 'Thompson, Henry Yates (1838–1928)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009.
14. Robson, Brian (2004) 'Roberts, Frederick Sleigh, first Earl Roberts (1832–1914)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009.
15. Killick, J. R. (2004) 'Forwood, Sir William Bower (1840–1928)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009.
16. 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.
17. Tweedale, Geoffrey (2004) 'Carnegie, Andrew (1835–1919)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 23 October 2009.
18. 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.
19. Book: Morgan . Henry James . Henry James Morgan . Types of Canadian Women and of Women who are or have been Connected with Canada . Toronto . Williams Briggs . 1903 . 35.
20. Ranft, Bryan (2004) 'Beatty, David, first Earl Beatty (1871–1936)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 21 October 2009.
21. 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.
22. Waller, Philip, (2004) 'Salvidge, Sir Archibald Tutton James (1863–1928)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 24 November 2009.
23. Phillips, G. A. (2004) 'Sexton, Sir James (1856–1938)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 21 October 2009.
24. News: Obituary: Sir F. C. Bowring Shipowner And Merchant . . 25 March 1936 . 21.
25. 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.
26. Chalmers, W. S. (2004) 'Horton, Sir Max Kennedy (1883–1951)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 21 October 2009.
27. Clarke, Cyril (2004) 'Cohen, Henry, Baron Cohen of Birkenhead (1900–1977)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009.
28. 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.
29. Clegg, Barbara(2004) 'Moores, Sir John (1896–1993)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009.
30. Waller, Phillip (2004) 'Paisley, Robert [Bob] (1919–1996)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009.
31. Middleton, Richard (2004) 'Lennon, John Ono (1940–1980)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009.
32. Rooksby, Rikky (2004) '‘Harrison, George (1943–2001)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009.
33. Roth, Andrew(2004) 'Heffer, Eric Samuel (1922–1991)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009.
34. 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.
35. Nichols, Vincent (2004) 'Worlock, Derek John Harford (1920–1996)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009.
36. McCann, Graham (2004) 'Castle, Roy (1932–1994)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009.
37. Haig, Catriona (2004) 'Henri, Adrian Maurice (1932–2000)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 20 October 2009.
38. News: Liverpool FC anthem singer Gerry Marsden dies aged 78. BBC News. 3 January 2021.
39. News: Liverpool Theatre School's Norah Button given Freedom of the City . . 20 January 2010 . 25 August 2010.
40. Web site: Former VC to receive Freedom of the City . 6 August 2010 . . 24 August 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101112004002/http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/NewsUpdate/index_102038.htm . 12 November 2010 .
41. Web site: Bishop Tom Williams is to receive the Freedom of Liverpool . 29 September 2021 . The Guide Liverpool . 30 September 2021 .
42. Web site: Bishop Tom Williams to receive Freedom of Liverpool . 29 September 2021 . Liverpool Express . 30 September 2021 .
43. Web site: Highest Liverpool civic honour for Bishop, hospitals and fire service . 9 January 2020 . Explore Liverpool . 30 September 2021 .
44. Web site: Screenwriter Jimmy McGovern receives the Freedom of Liverpool . 19 March 2022 . The Royal Borough Observer . 20 March 2022 .
45. Web site: Roberts-Haslam . Benjamin . Jurgen Klopp awarded Freedom of Liverpool . Liverpool Echo . 2 November 2022 . Reach plc . 2 November 2022.
46. Web site: Tom Walker & Jonny Humphries . Sue Johnston 'overwhelmed' by freedom of city award . BBC News Liverpool . 19 June 2024 . British Broadcasting Corporation . 20 June 2024.