There is an exceptionally long and impressive list of famous people of Lincolnshire from all walks of life - historical, literature, science, entertainment, journalism and sport - who were born, or resided in the county.
Alfred Lord Tennyson, the Poet Laureate after William Wordsworth, was born 6 miles from Horncastle in the Wolds village of Somersby. According to local legend, Tennyson seemed to have quite a dislike for the town, and he said: "Of all horrors, a little country town seems to me to be the greatest." James Fenton, poet, journalist and literary critic, was born in Lincoln.
Grantham, was the birthplace of celebrities as diverse as scientist and discoverer, Sir Isaac Newton, former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and radio and television star Nicholas Parsons.
The actor Eric Thompson, who was perhaps best known for being narrator of the childrens’ 1960s TV series “The Magic Roundabout”, was born in Sleaford in 1929. He was the father of award-winning actress Emma Thompson. Jennifer Saunders, the actress, comedienne and writer (French and Saunders, Absolutely Fabulous) was also born in Sleaford while Jim Broadbent, the Oscar-winning actor was born in Wickenby in 1949. Bernie Taupin, Elton John's songwriter, was born at Anwick on the road to Horncastle. One of the UK’s finest actors, John Hurt, went to Lincoln School. Jonathan Kerrigan, of ITV drama, Heartbeat fame, is from Lincoln, as is Jason Bradbury, stand-up comic and TV presenter.
Some famous people of Lincolnshire who attended Lincoln School include, Mark Byford, a BBC Deputy Director-General, Peter Day, BBC broadcaster, Steve Race, radio broadcaster and host of the Radio 4 programme My Music, Alex Henshaw, Spitfire chief test pilot and Sir Neville Marriner, the conductor who arranged and conducted the music for the film Amadeus.
Sir John Franklin, the sea captain, explorer and later, governor of Tasmania, was born in Spilsby, while George Bass who helped to map the coast of Australia in 1797, was born at Aswarby. Cecil Rhodes, the famous explorer and entrepreneur spent part of his boyhood in The Manor House, in Sleaford.
Sportsmen and women include footballers Joe Baker, Lee Chapman (Lincoln), Gary Crosby and Mark Wallington (Sleaford). Tennis star Daniel Cox, international cricket umpire Darrell Hair, equestrian and writer Marion Rose Halpenny and Olympic Swimming Medalist Paul Palmer all hail from Lincoln.
Some other notable Horncastle residents include Peter "Biff" Byford, lead singer of heavy rock band Saxon, Henry Simpson Lunn, religious leader and founder of one-half of the Lunn Poly chain of travel agents and William Marwood, public hangman.
The list is by no means exhaustive of famous people of Lincolnshire !
