List of Ilfracombe people
Encyclopedia
Ilfracombe
is a town on the North Devon
coast. This is a list of notable individuals who are associated with Ilfracombe in some way, listed alphabetically within categories.
Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe is a seaside resort and civil parish on the North Devon coast, England with a small harbour, surrounded by cliffs.The parish stretches along the coast from 'The Coastguard Cottages' in Hele Bay toward the east and 4 miles along The Torrs to Lee Bay toward the west...
is a town on the North Devon
North Devon
North Devon is the northern part of the English county of Devon. It is also the name of a local government district in Devon. Its council is based in Barnstaple. Other towns and villages in the North Devon District include Braunton, Fremington, Ilfracombe, Instow, South Molton, Lynton and Lynmouth...
coast. This is a list of notable individuals who are associated with Ilfracombe in some way, listed alphabetically within categories.
Academics
- Thomas HarriotThomas HarriotThomas Harriot was an English astronomer, mathematician, ethnographer, and translator. Some sources give his surname as Harriott or Hariot or Heriot. He is sometimes credited with the introduction of the potato to Great Britain and Ireland...
– the quintessential Renaissance Scholar, who in September 1607 observed a comet from Ilfracombe which would later be identified as Halley's Comet.
Actors/Actresses
- Peter SellersPeter SellersRichard Henry Sellers, CBE , known as Peter Sellers, was a British comedian and actor. Perhaps best known as Chief Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther film series, he is also notable for playing three different characters in Dr...
– where he first set foot on stage - JoanJoan CollinsJoan Henrietta Collins, OBE , is an English actress, author, and columnist. Born in Paddington and raised in Maida Vale, Collins grew up during the Second World War. At the age of nine, she made her stage debut in A Doll's House and after attending school, she was classically trained as an actress...
and Jackie CollinsJackie CollinsJacqueline Jill "Jackie" Collins is an English novelist and former actress. She is the younger sister of actress Joan Collins. She has written 28 novels, all of which have appeared on the New York Times bestsellers list. In total, her books have sold over 400 million copies and have been...
– who went to school in the town
Artists
- Damien HirstDamien HirstDamien Steven Hirst is an English artist, entrepreneur and art collector. He is the most prominent member of the group known as the Young British Artists , who dominated the art scene in Britain during the 1990s. He is internationally renowned, and is reportedly Britain's richest living artist,...
– local patron, funder of the No 11 the Quay restaurant, also a new restaurant number 9 the Quay, and various properties and farms in the town
- Frank McEwenFrank McEwenFrancis Jack "Frank" McEwen, OBE was an English artist, teacher, and museum administrator. He is best remembered today for his efforts to bring attention to the work of Shona artists in Rhodesia, and for helping to found the National Gallery of Zimbabwe...
– OBE, Founder and Director of National Gallery of Rhodesia. Retired to Ilfracombe before his death.
- George Shaw - Turner prize shortlisted- artist has studio on Ilfracombe High St
Explorers
- Thomas StukleyThomas StukleyThomas Stukley was an English mercenary who served in combat in France, Ireland, and at the Battle of Lepanto, before his death at the Battle of Alcácer Quibir. It was alleged that he was an illegitimate son of Henry VIII of England...
– an EnglishEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
adventurer who served in combat in France, Ireland, and at the Battle of LepantoBattle of Lepanto (1571)The Battle of Lepanto took place on 7 October 1571 when a fleet of the Holy League, a coalition of Catholic maritime states, decisively defeated the main fleet of the Ottoman Empire in five hours of fighting on the northern edge of the Gulf of Patras, off western Greece...
, raised the son of Sir Hugh Stucley, of Afheton, near Ilfracombe
- James Bowen (1751–1835) – British naval officer and commissioner of the Royal Navy, was master of at the Glorious First of JuneGlorious First of JuneThe Glorious First of June [Note A] of 1794 was the first and largest fleet action of the naval conflict between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the First French Republic during the French Revolutionary Wars...
. Rose to be rear-admiral.
- Richard BowenRichard BowenRichard Bowen was an officer of the Royal Navy who served during the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary Wars...
(1761–1797) – British naval officer, brother of Rear-Admiral James Bowen. He served with Lord NelsonHoratio Nelson, 1st Viscount NelsonHoratio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB was a flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was noted for his inspirational leadership and superb grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics, which resulted in a number of...
and was killed during the Battle of Santa Cruz de TenerifeBattle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (1797)The Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife was an amphibious assault by the Royal Navy on the Spanish port city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Launched by Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson on 22 July 1797, the assault was heavily defeated, and on 25 July the remains of the landing party ...
.
- John BowenJohn Bowen (colonist)John Bowen was a naval officer and colonial administrator. Led the first settlement of Tasmania at Risdon Cove. He was the son of James Bowen, and was born at Ilfracombe, Devon, England.-Early career:...
(1780–1823) – a naval officer and colonial administrator born in Ilfracombe 1780, founded first British settlement of Tasmania 1803 at Risdon cove (renamed Hobart), died Ilfracombe 1827. Married the niece of the Duchess of Clarence.
- Admiral Augustus E Down – was, like Bowen, commissioned lieutenant on deck after the sea battle "Glorious 1st July. he rose through the ranks to retire as Admiral. His son also Augustus joined the navy at 14, the tunic of the lad is on permanent display at the national Maritime museum, Greenwich
- Sir James Meek – married the daughter of Admiral Down settled in Ilfracombe 1802, he rose through the ranks of the Royal Navy and became in 1832 the Comptroller Vitualer of the Royal Navy responsible for the disposition of the Navy ships throughout the world. Knighted for his services to the country after he wrote the report upon which the Free Trade Acts were based - the foundation upon which all world trade is now based.
- Captain John Richards LapenotièreJohn Richards LapenotièreCaptain John Richards Lapenotière was a British Royal Navy officer who, as a lieutenant commanding the tiny topsail schooner HMS Pickle, observed the Battle of Trafalgar on the 21 October 1805, participated in the rescue operations which followed it and then carried the dispatches of the victory...
(1770–19 January 1834) – born in Ilfracombe, was a British Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
officer who, as a young lieutenant commanding the tiny topsail schooner HMS PickleHMS Pickle (1800)HMS Pickle was a topsail schooner of the Royal Navy. She was originally a civilian vessel named Sting. of six guns, that Lord Hugh Seymour purchased to use as an armed tender on the Jamaica Station...
, observed the Battle of TrafalgarBattle of TrafalgarThe Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy, during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars ....
on 21 October 1805, participated in the rescue operations which followed it and then carried the dispatches of the victory and the death of Admiral Nelson to Britain.
Journalists and broadcasters
- Lady Emilia Frances Strong DilkeEmilia Frances DilkeEmilia, Lady Dilke , born Emily Francis Strong, was an English author, art historian, feminist and trade unionist.-Biography:...
(1840–1904) – EnglishEnglish peopleThe English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
author, born at Ilfracombe. She became a contributor to the Saturday ReviewSaturday Review (London)The Saturday Review of politics, literature, science, and art was a London weekly newspaper established by A. J. B. Beresford Hope in 1855....
in 1864 and subsequently was for many years fine-art critic of the Academy. - Martin CassiniMartin CassiniMartin Cassini is a TV programme-maker and campaigner for traffic system reform. He advocates replacing priority with equality to provide a level playing-field on which all road-users can act sociably...
– TV producer, programme-maker and journalist who advocates reform of the UK traffic control system. Moved into the town in 2008.
Musicians
- John Twiname GardnerJohn Twiname GardnerJohn Twiname Gardner born South Molton 2 August 1854 died Kensington 15 February 1914. General Practitioner and Composer of much published parlour and light music. From 1888 to 1903 he worked as a family doctor in Ilfracombe, North Devon, where he conducted the local choral society and was...
G.P – composer and conductor of Ilfracombe Choral Society - John GardnerJohn Gardner (composer)John Linton Gardner, CBE is an English composer of classical music.-Biography:Gardner was born in Manchester, England and brought up in Ilfracombe, North Devon. His father Alfred Linton Gardner was a local GP and amateur composer who was killed in action in the last months of the First World War....
– composer - Harry WilliamsonHarry WilliamsonHarry Williamson is a British musician, producer and inventor.He is the son of noted author Henry Williamson and his second wife Christine Duffield. Divorced, one daughter Bee Williamson...
(born 12 May 1950) – [United Kingdom|British]] musician, producer and inventor born in Ilfracombe and son of Henry WilliamsonHenry WilliamsonHenry William Williamson was an English naturalist, farmer and prolific author known for his natural and social history novels. He won the Hawthornden Prize for literature in 1928 with his book Tarka the Otter....
.
Politicians
- Anna Catherine ParnellAnna Catherine ParnellAnna Catherine Parnell was an Irish nationalist and younger sister of Irish Nationalist leader, Charles Stewart Parnell....
– Irish nationalist who drowned in the town; sister of Charles Stewart ParnellCharles Stewart ParnellCharles Stewart Parnell was an Irish landowner, nationalist political leader, land reform agitator, and the founder and leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party...
Sportsmen/women
- Jonathan EdwardsJonathan Edwards (athlete)Jonathan David Edwards, CBE, is a former British triple jumper. He is a former Olympic, Commonwealth, European and World champion, and has held the world record in the event since 1995....
– world champion triple jumpTriple jumpThe triple jump is a track and field sport, similar to the long jump, but involving a “hop, bound and jump” routine, whereby the competitor runs down the track and performs a hop, a bound and then a jump into the sand pit.The triple jump has its origins in the Ancient Olympics and has been a...
athlete, whose father was the vicar at "Pip and Jim's" church. - Jason TwistJason TwistJason 'Tornado' Twist is a twice World Champion 8-ball pool player, winning the English Pool Association World Rules World Championship twice, in 2000 and 2002, who lives in the North Devon coastal town of Ilfracombe, England....
– two times world champion at eight ballEight ballEight-ball is a pool game popular in much of the world, and the subject of international professional and amateur competition...
pool.
Writers
- Emily Francis Strong – British amateur author and art historian, popular writer on art, particularly French, born in Ilfracombe in 1840.
- Henry WilliamsonHenry WilliamsonHenry William Williamson was an English naturalist, farmer and prolific author known for his natural and social history novels. He won the Hawthornden Prize for literature in 1928 with his book Tarka the Otter....
(1 December 1895 – 13 August 1977) – prolific EnglishEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
author known for his naturalNatural historyNatural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
and social historySocial historySocial history, often called the new social history, is a branch of History that includes history of ordinary people and their strategies of coping with life. In its "golden age" it was a major growth field in the 1960s and 1970s among scholars, and still is well represented in history departments...
novels. He lived in a small cottage in the town.
- Coulson KernahanCoulson KernahanCoulson Kernahan was an English novelist, born at Ilfracombe, Devon, and educated privately by his father and at St Albans School. He was associated with Frederick Locker-Lampson on a new edition of Lyra Elegantiarum, contributed to many periodicals, wrote humorous verse, and gained wide...
(1858–1943) – an English novelist born at Ilfracombe.
- James AllenJames Allen (author)James Allen was a British philosophical writer known for his inspirational books and poetry and as a pioneer of the self-help movement. His best known work, As a Man Thinketh, has been mass produced since its publication in 1903...
(November 28, 1864 – 1912) – a writer of inspirational books and poetry. At age 38, he retired from employment and he and his wife moved to a small cottage in Ilfracombe to pursue a simple life of contemplation. There he wrote for 9 years producing over 20 works.
- Philip James BaileyPhilip James BaileyPhilip James Bailey , English poet, author of Festus, was born at Nottingham.- Life :His father, who himself published both prose and verse, owned and edited from 1845 to 1852 the Nottingham Mercury, one of the chief journals in his native town...
(22 April 1816 – 6 September 1902) – Ilfracombe was once home to this English poet and author of FestusFestusFestus is a Latin word meaning "festive, festal, joyful, merry" and may refer to:* Festus, Missouri, a town in the United States*Festus, a poem by the English poet Philip James Bailey*Drew Hankinson, professional wrestler...
.
- Lady Emilia Frances Strong DilkeEmilia Frances DilkeEmilia, Lady Dilke , born Emily Francis Strong, was an English author, art historian, feminist and trade unionist.-Biography:...
(1840–1904) – EnglishEnglish peopleThe English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
author, born at IlfracombeIlfracombeIlfracombe is a seaside resort and civil parish on the North Devon coast, England with a small harbour, surrounded by cliffs.The parish stretches along the coast from 'The Coastguard Cottages' in Hele Bay toward the east and 4 miles along The Torrs to Lee Bay toward the west...
. She became a contributor to the Saturday ReviewSaturday Review (London)The Saturday Review of politics, literature, science, and art was a London weekly newspaper established by A. J. B. Beresford Hope in 1855....
in 1864 and subsequently was for many years fine-art critic of the Academy.