List of people from Ilfracombe

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.

Academics

*Thomas Harriot - the quintessential Renaissance Scholar, who in September 1607 observed a comet from Ilfracombe which would later be identified as Halley's Comet. [http://brynjones.members.beeb.net/wastronhist/people/wlower/pr_wlower.html]

Actors/Actresses

*Peter Sellers - where he first set foot on stage
*Joan and Jackie Collins - who went to school in the town

Architects

*George Wightwick - designer of Watermouth Castle

Artists

*Damien Hirst - local patron, funder of the No 11 the Quay restaurant. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/3734901.stm]

Explorers

*Thomas Stukley - an English adventurer who served in combat in France, Ireland, and at the Battle of Lepanto, raised the son of Sir Hugh Stucley, of Afheton, near Ilfracombe [http://seattleluxury.com/encyclopedia/entry/Thomas_Stukley]

*John Bowen - a naval officer and colonial administrator born in Ilfracombe on the 14th February 1780. [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A010125b.htm]

* Captain John Richards Lapenotière(1770–19 January, 1834) borning in Ilfracombe, was a British Royal Navy officer who, as a young lieutenant commanding the tiny Bermuda sloop 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 and the death of Admiral Nelson to Britain.

Journalists and broadcasters

*Lady Emilia Frances Strong Dilke (1840-1904) was an English author, born at Ilfracombe. She became a contributor to the "Saturday Review" in 1864 and subsequently was for many years fine-art critic of the "Academy".

Musicians

*Harry Williamson (born May 12 1950) - is a British musician, producer and inventor.- a British musician, producer and inventor born in Ilfracombe and Son of Henry Williamson. [http://calyx.club.fr/interviews/hwilliamson.html]

Politicians

*Anna Catherine Parnell - Irish nationalist who drowned in the town and sister of Charles Stewart Parnell [http://www.pgil-eirdata.org/html/pgil_datasets/authors/p/Parnell,AC/life.htm]

portsmen/women

*Jonathan Edwards - world champion Triple jump athlete, whose father was the vicar at Pip and Jim's church. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=435374&in_page_id=1770]
*Jason Twist - two times world champion at seven ball pool [http://www.hickoksports.com/history/worldpoolchamps.shtml]

Writers

*Emily Francis Strong - British amateur author and art historian, popular writer on art, particularly French, born in Ilfracombe in 1840. [http://www.dictionaryofarthistorians.org/dilkee.htm]

*Henry Williamson - (December 1, 1895 - August 13, 1977), prolific English author known for his natural and social history novels. He lived in a small cottage in the town. [http://www.henrywilliamson.co.uk/panel10.htm]

*Coulson Kernahan (1858-1943) - an English novelist born at Ilfracombe. [http://www.library.rdg.ac.uk/colls/special/kernahan.html]

*James Allen (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. [http://jamesallen.wwwhubs.com/]

*Philip James Bailey (April 22, 1816 – September 6, 1902) - Ilfracombe was once home to this English poet and author of Festus. [http://www.spiritus-temporis.com/philip-james-bailey/]

*Lady Emilia Frances Strong Dilke (1840-1904) was an English author, born at Ilfracombe. She became a contributor to the "Saturday Review" in 1864 and subsequently was for many years fine-art critic of the "Academy". [http://www.dictionaryofarthistorians.org/dilkee.htm]

ee also

*List of North Devon people