List of people from Portsmouth explained

Notable people from Portsmouth in Hampshire, England, include:

• Sir John Armitt, CBE, FREng, Chairman of the London 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority, grew up in Portsmouth and attended also Portsmouth Northern Grammar School. He graduated in civil engineering from the Portsmouth College of Technology in 1966.^[1]
• Hertha Ayrton, scientist and Suffragette who was described as one of Portsmouth's "least known and celebrated figures", was born in Portsea.^[2]
• Sir Francis Austen, brother of Jane Austen, briefly lived in the area after graduating from Portsmouth Naval Academy^[3]
• Actress Emma Barton^[4]
• Bollywood actress Geeta Basra, was born and raised in Portsmouth^{[5] [6]}
• Sir Walter Besant, a novelist and historian was born in Portsmouth,^[7] writing one novel set exclusively in the town, By Celia's Arbour, A Tale of Portsmouth Town^[8]
• Roger Black, Olympic medallist, was also born in Portsmouth and attended the Portsmouth Grammar School,^[9]
• Isambard Kingdom Brunel, famed engineer of the Industrial Revolution, was born in Portsmouth^{[10] [11]}
• Marc Isambard Brunel, worked for the Royal Navy and invented the world's first production line to mass manufacture pulley blocks for the rigging in Royal Navy vessels.
• James Callaghan, British prime minister from 1976 to 1979, was born and raised in Portsmouth.^{[12] [13]}
• Frederick Chatterton (1812–1886), English harpist^[14]
• Mel Croucher founder of the UK videogames industry, born in Portsmouth 19 November 1948.
• Sir Barry Cunliffe CBE, one of Britain's leading archaeologists and Emeritus Professor of European Archaeology at Oxford University, grew up in Portsmouth and attended Portsmouth Northern Grammar School.^[15]
• Ben Falinski, singer in rock band Ivyrise was born and raised in Portsmouth.^[16]
• Ian Darke, football and boxing commentator currently working for BT Sport and previously one of Sky Sports' "Big Four" football commentators, was born in the city.^[17]
• Charles Dickens, known for such works as A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist and A Tale of Two Cities, was born in Pompey^[18]
• Harry Digweed, footballer^[19]
• Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, practised as doctor in the city and played in goal for Portsmouth Association Football club, an amateur team not to be confused with the later professional Portsmouth Football Club^[20]
• Actress Nicola Duffett, best known for her role on Family Affairs^[21]
• Helen Duncan, last person to be imprisoned under the 1735 Witchcraft Act in the UK was arrested in Portsmouth.^[22]
• Michael East, Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning athlete^[23]
• Matt Edmondson, Radio 1 and Channel 4 presenter,^[24]
• Jill Ellis, two time FIFA World Cup winning coach of the United States Women’s National Soccer Team.^[25]
• Sir Roger Fry, CBE, Honorary Doctor of Letters and Honorary Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford, is now President of the Council of British International Schools and Founding Chairman of the King's Group of British International Schools. He was born in Portsmouth and educated at the Northern Grammar School and later at the University of London.^[26]
• Gerald Flood (21 April 1927 – 12 April 1989), actor of stage and television, was born in Portsmouth. ^[27]
• Paul Flowers, disgraced chairman of the Co-operative Bank and Labour politician^[28]
• Douglas Morey Ford, lawyer and author.^[29]
• Fantasy author Neil Gaiman grew up in nearby Purbrook and the Portsmouth suburb of Southsea, and in 2013 had a Southsea road named after his novel The Ocean At The End Of The Lane.^[30]
• Joseph Garrett (YouTuber)^[31]
• Peter Gautrey, British diplomat
• Stephen Goldring (born 1932), first-class cricketer and British Army officer
• Rob Hayles, cyclist and Olympic Games medal winner^[32]
• DJ Hixxy,^[33]
• William Brodleck Herms, American entomologist and university professor
• Journalist and author Christopher Hitchens, was born in the city^[34]
• Roger Hodgson of Supertramp,^[35] progressive rock band Gentle Giant,^[36]
• Amanda Holden, television presenter and actress
• Brian Howe, vocalist of Bad Company^[37]
• Graham Hurley, whose Joe Faraday crime novels are based in the city.^{[38] [39]}
• Joe Jackson, musician and singer–songwriter grew up in the city^[40]
• Audrey Jeans, comedienne and singer.^[41]
• Mick Jones, founder of Foreigner, was born in Portsmouth^[42]
• Paul Jones (born Paul Pond, 24 February 1942, in Portsmouth), singer, actor, harmonica player, radio personality and television presenter.
• Dillie Keane, songwriter, entertainer, founder of the comedy trio Fascinating Aïda, was born in Southsea^[43]
• Jim Al-Khalili is a British theoretical physicist, author and broadcaster. He lives in Southsea in Portsmouth with his wife Julie.
• Rudyard Kipling, spent a miserable childhood boarding in Southsea, but prevailed to become a Nobel-winning poet and author of the Jungle Book^[44]
• Amanda Lamb TV Presenter and former model
• Palaeographer Sir Frederic Madden, born in the city in 1801.^[45]
• John Madden, Director of "Shakespeare in Love", "The best exotic Marigold hotel" series,"Mrs Brown" "The Debt" and others, born 1949, in Southsea
• George Meredith, grew up in Portsmouth High Street.^[46]
• Michelle Magorian (born 6 November 1947) is an English author of children's books. She is best known for her first novel, Goodnight Mister Tom.
• Alexander St. Lo Malet (1845–1922), first-class cricketer and British Army soldier
• Stephen Marcus, actor, born in Portsmouth^[47]
• Ant Middleton, presenter of SAS Who Dares Wins, former SBS, current television presenter and author was born in Portsmouth
• Aubrey Morris (born Aubrey Jack Steinberg, in Portsmouth; 1 June 1926– 5 July 2015), actor
• Wolfe Morris (born Wolfe Steinberg, in Portsmouth, 5 January 1925 – 21 July 1996), actor
• Mason Mount, footballer who plays for Premier League club Manchester United, was born in Portsmouth.
• Tony Oakey, former British light-heavyweight boxing champion^[48]
• Roland Orzabal, from Tears For Fears grew up in the area.^[49]
• Alison Owen, film director, was born in the city.^[50]
• Alan Pascoe, Olympic medallist, born in the city^[51]
• Marcus Patric, actor on Hollyoaks, was born in Portsmouth^[52]
• John Pounds, founder of the ragged school, which provided free education to working class children, lived in Portsmouth and set up the country's first ragged school in the city.^[53]
• RemedySounds (Joshua Ross Clark), English dubstep/acoustic musician^[54]
• Sir Alec Rose, single-handed yachtsman^[55]
• Peter Sellers, comedian, actor, and performer was born in Southsea,^[56]
• Katy Sexton, former world champion swimmer who won gold in the backstroke at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona^{[57] [58]}
• Arnold Schwarzenegger, lived and trained in Portsmouth for a short time.^[59]
• Nevil Shute, moved to Portsmouth in 1934 when he relocated his aircraft company to the city; his former home stands in the Eastney end of the island of Portsea^[60]
• Anthony Thackara (1917–2007), first-class cricketer and Royal Navy officer
• William Tucker, trader in human heads, and New Zealand's first art dealer was also born in Portsmouth.^[61]
• John Vernon (1922–1994), first-class cricketer and Royal Navy sailor
• James Ward-Prowse, footballer who plays for Premier League club West Ham United, was born in Portsmouth.
• H. G. Wells, author of The War of the Worlds and The Time Machine, lived in Pompey during the 1880s^[62]
• Kim Woodburn, of How Clean is Your House?.^[63]
• Dame Frances Amelia Yates, DBE, British historian was born in Victoria Road in Southsea.^{[44] [64]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Bray. Paul. 'If you're asked to do something new, see it as an opportunity'. Telegraph. 6 August 2016. 1 April 2016.
2. Web site: Hertha Ayrton: Famous Daughter of Portsea. A Tale Of One City. Portsmouth City Council. 6 August 2016.
3. Web site: Sir Francis William Austen: Glimpses of Jane's sailor brother in letters. Jane Austen's World. 6 August 2016. 8 October 2009.
4. Web site: Emma Barton: 'You have got to take risks with your choices'. The News. Portsmouth City Council. 6 August 2016.
5. Web site: Geeta Basra – Biography . Chakpak. 9 August 2011.
6. Web site: Bollywood actress in Portsmouth . Indiazen. 11 July 2007 . 8 March 2011.
7. Web site: Owen. Chris. 'When I was reading Besant's book, I repeatedly gasped'. Portsmouth City Council. 6 August 2016. 18 April 2016.
8. Web site: By Celia's Arbour. Life Is Amazing. 12 July 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20160821040559/http://www.lifeisamazing.co.uk/store/#!/By-Celias-Arbour/p/58746214/category=13895314. 21 August 2016. dead.
9. Web site: Biography of Roger Black – Former Olympic Silver Medalist . Roger Black . 31 March 1966 . 9 August 2011.
10. Web site: History - Isambard Kingdom Brunel. BBC History. BBC. 6 August 2016.
11. Web site: Isambard Kingdom Brunel. https://web.archive.org/web/20050418121831/http://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/history/ikb/. 18 April 2005. Brunel AC. 28 July 2014.
12. Web site: James Callaghan biography. BBC History. BBC. 27 July 2016.
13. Web site: Morgan. Kenneth. James Callaghan: a great PM who, 100 years on, still stands tall. The Guardian. 27 July 2016. 27 March 2012.
14. https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/8860/MDXHO107_1486_1486-0167/2268792?backurl=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/13851445/person/252076576762/facts/citation/802105526103/edit/record 1851 England Census for Frederick Chatterton; Middlesex, St Marylebone, All Souls - Ancestry.com
15. Web site: Portsmouth: Famous Residents C to H. Welcome to Portsmouth. Portsmouth City Council. 6 August 2016.
16. Web site: Falinski. Ben. Ben Falinski - The News. Portsmouth City Council. 6 August 2016. 19 March 2011.
17. Web site: From The 'Darke' Side - Pompey Supporters Trust. Pompey Supporters Trust. 6 August 2016.
18. Web site: Charles Dickens Birthplace . Charles Dickens Birthplace . 9 October 2021.
19. Web site: Harry Digweed. FreeBMD. 2 May 2013.
20. Web site: Arthur Conan Doyle: 19 things you didn't know. Telegraph. 6 August 2016.
21. Web site: Portsmouth, Famous Residents H to K. Welcome To Portsmouth. Portsmouth City Council. 6 August 2016.
22. Web site: The Official Helen Duncan Web Site . Helen Duncan . 6 December 1956 . 9 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090926220943/http://www.helenduncan.org.uk/ . 26 September 2009 . dead .
23. Web site: Athlete Profile - Michael East. The Power of 10. 6 August 2016.
24. Web site: Jeynes. Jodie. It's the weird thoughts I have escaping from my brain on to the radio. The News. Portsmouth. 6 August 2016. 31 March 2011.
25. Web site: Home pride in 'Pompey lass' Jill Ellis now bidding for a World Cup double. 24 August 2020. The Guardian.
26. Web site: Roger Fry - British School Madrid. Kings College SA. 6 August 2016.
27. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0282547/ Gerald Flood
28. Web site: Shamed Co-op bank boss Paul Flowers is ex-Rochdale minister. Chris. Jones. 19 November 2013. Manchester Evening News.
29. http://www.victorianresearch.org/atcl/show_author.php?aid=869 Douglas Morey Ford.
30. Web site: Neil Gaiman novel inspires Portsmouth street name . The Guardian.
31. Web site: All you need to know about Portsmouth-born YouTube star stampylonghead. 2020-09-15. www.portsmouth.co.uk. en.
32. Web site: About Rob Hayles. Rob Hayles. 6 August 2016.
33. Web site: Hixxy biography. Skiddle. 6 August 2016.
34. Web site: Results for England & Wales Births 1837–2006. Find My Past. 10 June 2015.
35. Web site: Roger Hodgson - Bio. Roger Hodgson. 6 August 2016.
36. Book: Stump, Paul. Gentle Giant: Acquiring the Taste. SAF Publishing. 16. 2005. 978-0-946719-61-7.
37. Web site: Venables quits Portsmouth taking a tidy profit. BBC News. BBC. 6 August 2016. 13 January 1998.
38. Web site: Other novels in Portsmouth culture . Graham Hurley Publishing . 8 March 2011.
39. Web site: Biography - Graham Hurley. Graham Hurley. 6 August 2016.
40. Web site: Joe Jackson biography. Joe Jackson. 6 August 2016.
41. https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/big-read-sid-james-died-audreys-arms-1049029 "Sid James died in Audrey's arms", The News, Portsmouth, 8 February 2018
42. Web site: Boom. Chris. Mick Jones of Foreigner: 'Portsmouth has always been home to me.'. Portsmouth City Council. 6 August 2016. 28 March 2014.
43. Web site: Dillie Keane at the Kings Theatre, Southsea. Portsmouth City Council. 6 August 2016.
44. Web site: Blue plaques. Portsmouth City Council. 6 August 2016.
45. Web site: Portsmouth's Early Historians. History In Portsmouth. Portsmouth City Council. 6 August 2016.
46. Web site: George Meredith and Family. History in Portsmouth. Tim Backhouse. 6 August 2016.
47. Web site: Court ruling boosts Pompey fans. Daily Echo. 6 August 2016.
48. Web site: Tony Oakey profile. BoxRec. 6 August 2016.
49. Web site: Famous Bands from Portsmouth. Guitar Lessons Portsmouth. 6 August 2016. en.
50. Web site: Portsmouth, Famous Residents M to P. Welcome To Portsmouth. Portsmouth City Council. 6 August 2016.
51. Web site: Track stalwart who did city so proud. The News. Portsmouth City Council. 6 August 2016. 1 June 2010.
52. Web site: Philpott. Jake. Interview: Hollyoaks star returns to Pompey for panto. Galleon News. The Galleon. 6 August 2016. 7 December 2011.
53. Web site: Great Educator: John Pounds 1766 to 1839. Ragged University. 6 August 2016. 18 September 2014.
54. News: Meet the Live And Unsigned 2012 winners. musicradar. 1 August 2012. 23 November 2012.
55. Web site: 1968: Alec Rose sails home. BBC News. BBC. 6 August 2016. 4 July 1968.
56. Milligan. Spike. Sellers, Peter (1925–1980). 9 July 2012. Spike Milligan. 10.1093/ref:odnb/31669. 2004.
57. News: Katy Sexton Bests Sarah Price as Both Women Break 100m Backstroke Commonwealth Record at British Trials . 31 July 2013 . Swimming World Magazine . 20 March 2003 . dead . https://archive.today/20130731165514/http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/5152.asp . 31 July 2013 .
58. Web site: About - Katy Sexton Swim Academy. Katy Sexton. 6 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160528172905/http://www.katysexton.co.uk/about/. 28 May 2016. dead.
59. Web site: An Austrian hick in London: Arnie's early years. Telegraph. 6 August 2016.
60. Web site: Nevil Shute Norway Blue Plaques . Open Plaques. 28 July 2014.
61. Web site: William Tucker Obituary. Legacy. 6 August 2016.
62. Web site: Discovering city's rich literary heritage. Portsmouth City Council. 6 August 2016.
63. Web site: Mischa. Allen. Queen of clean Kim on her route to fame. The News. Portsmouth City Council. 6 August 2016. 3 May 2011.
64. Web site: Frances A. Yates blue plaque in Portsmouth. Blue Plaques. 6 August 2016.