Colchester - Notable Colcestrians

Notable Colcestrians

People of note that were born or have lived in Colchester include:

• Sir George Biddell Airy (1801–1892) – Astronomer Royal, attended Colchester Royal Grammar School 1814–1819
• Damon Albarn (1968-) - musician and Blur lead singer
• Paul Allender (1970–) – musician, lead guitarist of Cradle of Filth
• Cuthbert Alport, Baron Alport – Cabinet Minister, High Commissioner to the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, High Steward of Colchester
• Ken Aston (1915–2001) – Football referee, responsible for many important developments in football refereeing
• Thomas Audley, 1st Baron Audley of Walden 1488–1544, Lord Chancellor of England 1533–44, founder of Magdalene College, Cambridge. St Michael's Church, Berechurch has a fine monument to him (in the Audley Chapel).
• John Ball (priest) (d. 1381) – leader of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381
• Ali Carter (1979– ) – professional snooker player
• Piers Courage (1942–1970) – Formula One driver
• Graham Coxon (1969– ) – musician and Blur lead guitarist
• Cunobelin – King of the Britons
• Darren Day (1968– ) – actor and television presenter
• Bill Dines (1916–1992) – cricketer
• Neil Faith (1981– ) – professional wrestler
• Neil Foster (1962– ) – cricketer
• William Gilbert (1544–1603) – scientist, pioneer in the field of magnetism and court physician to Elizabeth I and James I
• Sir William Gull, 1st Baronet – Physician-in-Ordinary to Queen Victoria; Governor of Guy's Hospital; researched and named Anorexia nervosa
• Klaus Kinski (1926–1991) – actor, director, former German POW in Colchester during the World War II
• Alfred Lungley (1905–1989) – awarded the George Cross after the Quetta earthquake of 1935
• Bernard Mason – businessman, philanthropist, clock collector
• Philip Morant (1700–1770)- parish priest of St Mary-at-the-Walls, author of The History & Antiquities of the County of Essex
• Graham Napier (1980– ) – cricketer
• Martin Newell (1953– ) – musician, poet, author
• Sheila Nicholls (1970– ) – musician
• Dermot O'Leary (1973– ) – Television and Radio presenter, attended the Colchester Sixth Form College
• Sir Roger Penrose (1931– ), mathematical physicist and philosopher
• Dave Rowntree (1964– ) – musician, drummer for Blur
• Darren Styles (1975– ) – DJ, record producer, singer
• Jane Taylor (1783–1824) – poet and author of the lyrics to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
• Margaret Thatcher (1925– ) – former Prime Minister, lived in Colchester when working at nearby Manningtree as a research chemist during 1950s.
• Archibald Wavell (1883–1950) British Field-Marshal during World War II, Viceroy of India.
• Mary Whitehouse (1910–2001) – morality campaigner, died in Colchester.
• Sir Laming Worthington-Evans (1868–1931) – Secretary of State for War, Postmaster General