Famous British Women
Read a listing of famous British women. Find UK women who have shaped the history and culture of the British Isles in the fields of art, education, fashion, literature, medicine, music, politics, science and sport.
Further information on many of the listed entries on British women are available via accompanying links.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (1836-1917) - was the first woman to qualify as a physician and surgeon in Britain. She was also the first woman to be elected a mayor in the country in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. She was active in the women's suffrage movement. Her list of achievements make her one of the greatest of British women.
Adele (1988-) - Adele Laurie Blue Adkins is an English singer songwriter. Born in London, her album 21 is the second best-selling album in the UK ever behind Queen's Greatest Hits.
Valerie Ann Amos (1954-) - now Baroness Amos, she was the first Black woman to serve in a British Cabinet. She has also served as the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. In 2015, Amos was appointed Director of the School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS) thus becoming the first black woman to lead a university in the UK. She is now Master of University College, Oxford, the first woman appointed to that position and the first black head of any Oxford college.
Julie Andrews (1935-) - best known for her roles in The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews is a singer, actress and author of children's books.
Mary Anning (1799-1847) - was a paleontologist and fossil collector and dealer on the Jurassic Coast around Lyme Regis. She is very much back in the public consciousness following the release of the movie Ammonite about her life, starring Kate Winslet. The Royal Society named Anning on a list of the ten British women who have most influenced the history of science.
Nancy Astor (1879-1964) - though born and brought up in the USA, Nancy Astor became the first woman to hold a seat as an MP in the House of Commons. Her views on Jews and Catholics and early support for Nazism have drawn criticism following the unveiling of a statue in her honour in Plymouth.
Jane Austen (1775-1817) - considered one of Britain's greatest novelists. Her work explores the dependence of women on marriage and the economic realities that entailed in the society of her time. Austen herself never married. Her strong women characters such as Emma Woodhouse in Emma and Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice were an inspiration for many authors who followed her and gave a voice to women in the English novel. Austen was born in Steventon, Hampshire and died in Winchester. She spent part of her life in Bath and two of her novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion have the city as a setting. She is buried in Winchester Cathedral.
Hertha Ayrton (1854-1923) - was a prominent engineer, mathematician, and physicist of her day as well as being a strong supporter of the suffragette movement. She is best-known for her research and work on the electric arc.
B
Kemi Badenoch (1980-) is a British Conservative Party politician and current leader of the Conservative Party (since 2024 succeeding Rishi Sunak) who serves as the Member of Parliament (MP) for North West Essex (previously Saffron Walden), a position she has held since 2017. She has rapidly risen within the party, holding prominent roles such as Secretary of State for Business and Trade, as well as Minister for Women and Equalities. Known for her articulate defense of free markets and individual responsibility, Badenoch is a vocal advocate for pragmatic policies and cultural conservatism. Her background includes growing up in Nigeria, the daughter of a privileged family and working in the UK in both engineering and finance.
Joan Bakewell (1933-) - born in Stockport to a working class family, Joan Bakewell went on to study at Cambridge before joining the BBC. Throughout her career in journalism she has pushed the boundaries and has been one of Britain's most respected voices in broadcasting.
Lilian Bader (1918-2015) - was one of the first black women to join the British armed forces. Born in Liverpool to a Barbadian father and Irish mother, Bader served in the RAF. She had previously been dismissed from the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) because her father was not born in Britain. After the war, Bader went on to study for a degree in London and became a teacher.
Claire Balding (1970-) - BBC presenter, now openly lesbian, hid her homosexuality for a decade before coming out in 2003. She is the face of the Beeb's Olympic programming. She is in a long-term relationship with BBC Radio announcer Alice Arnold.
Dido Elizabeth Belle (1761-1804) - was a biracial British heiress and historical figure, known for her unique upbringing as the illegitimate daughter of a British naval captain and an enslaved African woman. Raised in aristocratic circles, she played a role in challenging racial prejudice in 18th-century England and her life inspired discussions on race and social justice.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861) - was a English poet who began writing as a child. She married another poet Robert Browning and spent the latter part of her life in Italy to escape her father's censure over her marriage. She is remembered for such poems as the sonnet How Do I Love Thee? and the epic Aurora Leigh. Throughout her short life she was troubled by physical pain and illness.
Shirley Bassey (1937-) is a Welsh singer from Cardiff known for her theme songs for three James Bond movies. She was at the peak of her fame in the 1960s and 1970s. She is the first female artist to have charted an album in the top 40 of the UK Albums Chart in seven consecutive decades.
Victoria Beckham (1974-) - is an English fashion designer, businesswoman, and former member of the iconic girl group, the Spice Girls. She's known for her successful eponymous fashion label and her influential contributions to the fashion industry. Beckham's journey from pop sensation to respected fashion designer has made her a prominent figure in the world of style and business.
Mrs Beeton (1836-1865) - Isabella Mary Beeton became a household name in her day for her classic Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management, which is still in print. She died aged only 28 following post-natal complications.
Aphra Benn (1640-1689) - was a Restoration Period dramatist and poet and one of the first women in Britain to earn a living as a professional writer. A friend of Nell Gwyn, she wrote 19 plays and was the second-most prolific Restoration writer after John Dryden.
Cilla Black (1943-2015) - was a 1960s singer and friend of The Beatles who later became a charismatic TV host of such popular programmes as Blind Date (1985-2003) and Surprise Surprise (1984-2001). A statue of her stands outside the Cavern Club in Liverpool.
Malorie Blackman (1962-) - was Children's Laureate from 2013 to 2015. Her books for children and young adults always feature black characters and often have a theme of children helping their parents through technology. Before becoming a full-time author she worked as a systems programmer. Noughts and Crosses (2001) is one of her most well-known books and inverts contemporary British society with the crosses powerful and rich black people while the noughts are poor and previously enslaved whites.
Anne Boleyn (1501-1536) - was the mother of Queen Elizabeth I and the second wife of Henry VIII. Brought up in Hever Castle in Kent, Anne was a skilled linguist and courtier. Henry's desire to have his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon annulled so he could marry Anne, led directly to the dramatic events of the Reformation in England. Following several miscarriages in a futile attempt to provide the king with a male heir, Anne was arrested on trumped up charges of adultery and incest (with her brother). She was beheaded by sword in the Tower of London.
Betty Boothroyd (1929-) - is so far the only female MP to serve as Speaker of the House of Commons. A role she filled from 1992 to 2000. Boothroyd was MP for West Bromwich and West Bromwich West from 1973 to 2000.
Boudicca (?-60 or 61) - aka Boudicca or Boadicea, queen of the British Celtic Iceni who opposed the Romans and sacked the Roman cities of Colchester and Londinium. Information on Boudicca's uprising can be founded at the Museum of London and Colchester Castle.
Sonia Dawn Boyce (1962-) - is a British contemporary artist and professor known for her innovative work in the field of visual arts. Her art often explores themes of race, identity, and cultural representation, and she has gained recognition for her influential contributions to the British art scene. Boyce's diverse body of work encompasses painting, photography, and multimedia installations, addressing important sociocultural issues. She is also a Professor of Black Art and Design at University of the Arts London.
Brontë sisters - Charlotte (1816-1855), Emily (1818-1848) and Anne Brontë (1820-1849) are regarded as some of England's most famous novelists and poets. Charlotte is best known for her novel Jane Eyre, Emily for Wuthering Heights and Anne for The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Today their former family home is preserved as the Brontë Parsonage Museum and is a site of pilgrimage for Brontë fans from all over the world.
Margaret Busby (1944-) - is Britain's youngest and first black female book publisher. Born in Ghana, Busby was sent to England to be educated from aged five. She established the publishing company Allison and Busby with her business partner Clive Allison in 1967. She has also worked in broadcasting, as a journalist and written several plays.
Kate Bush (1958-) - singer, pianist and songwriter, Kate Bush was at the height of her fame in the late 1970s and 1980s. She topped the charts with her debut single "Wuthering Heights" at age 19. Her 1985 single "Running Up That Hill" reentered the UK charts after it was featured on the Netflix series Stranger Things.
Frances Buss (1827-1894) - was a pioneer of education for girls and headmistress of the North London Collegiate School for Ladies in Camden, London, one of the earliest girls' schools that provided a high-quality and academically rigorous education. She also founded the Camden School for Girls (CSG). Buss's innovative approach to teaching had a profound impact on women's education in the UK, and her legacy continues to influence educational practices today.
C
Naomi Campbell (1970-) - supermodel who rose to international fame in the late 1980s and 1990s. In 2021 she became a mother of her first child, a daughter.
Helena Bonham Carter (1966-) - one of Britain's most famous actresses, she rose to fame beginning with A Room with a View in 1985. Her credits include The King's Speech (2010), Cinderella (2015) and Enola Holmes (2020).
Barbara Castle (1910-2002) - Castle was a long-serving Labour Party MP from 1945 to 1979. She was a firm supporter of Labour leader Harold Wilson in the 1960s and 70s and held several cabinet posts in his governments.
Gurinder Chadha (1960-) - British Asian director of such successful films as Bhaji on the Beach (1993) and Bend It Like Beckham (2002) which both address the theme of being an Asian in modern Britain.
Shami Chakrabarti (1969-) - barrister, human rights activist and politician, London-born Chakrabarti served as the head of the human rights advocacy group Liberty. She is now Baroness Chakrabarti and has sat in the House of Lords since 2016.
Agatha Christie (1890-1976) - a detective novel writer, famous for her fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She is the most-translated individual author ahead of Jules Verne and William Shakespeare. She is also the author of the world's longest-running play The Mousetrap which ran in the West End from its debut in 1952 until March 2020, when it ceased due to the Covid-19 epidemic.
Emilia Isobel Euphemia Rose Clarke (1986-) - is a British actress celebrated for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in the hit series "Game of Thrones." Her versatile acting career has earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fan following worldwide. Clarke has also been involved in philanthropic work and advocacy for gender equality.
Charlotte Cooper 1870-1966) - tennis player who won five Wimbledon titles and the Olympics in 1900. She was the first female Olympic tennis champion and the first individual female Olympic champion.
D
Grace Darling (1815-1842) - is famous for her act of bravery in helping rescue the shipwrecked crew of the Forfarshire in 1838. A lighthouse keeper's daughter on Longstone Lighthouse off the Northumberland coast, she went out in rough seas to pick up survivors of the wreck. For her actions she became an overnight national heroine.
Judi Dench (1934-) - famous for her work on stage and in film, Judi Dench has starred in many performances at the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her standout movies include Shakespeare in Love (1998), for which she won an Oscar for her performance as Queen Elizabeth I, Mrs Brown (1997) and Chocolat (2000). She has also appeared as M in the James Bond series of films, becoming the first woman to take that role, supposedly based on real-life Dame Stella Rimington, the head of MI5 in the 1990s.
Carla Denyer (1985-) - is a British politician and environmental activist, serving as a Green Party councillor for Bristol City Council. She's known for her advocacy on climate action and sustainable policies, striving to make positive changes in her community and beyond. Denyer's dedication to environmental causes has earned her recognition as a prominent figure in the green movement. She has served as co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales alongside Adrian Ramsay since 2021.
Princess Diana (1961 - 1997) - remains one of the most famous British women of the post-war period whose fame is truly international. She was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales and the mother of Prince William and Prince Harry. Her brief life ended in tragedy in a car accident while being pursued by paparazzi in Paris along with her lover Dodi Fayed. Diana was immensely popular with the British public which became apparent during the outpouring of national grief during her funeral at Westminster Abbey. A style icon during her life, Diana was also active for a number of good causes including animal protection, clearing landmines and the National AIDS Trust.
Margaret Drabble (1939-) - is an English novelist famous for such books as The Millstone (1965) and The Witch of Exmoor (1998). She is the sister of fellow novelist A. S. Byatt.
Carol Ann Duffy (1955-) - is a Scottish poet and playwright and former Poet Laureate. Born in Glasgow, she moved moved to England with her family when she was still a child. She lived with the poet Adrian Henri from a young age while studying at Liverpool University. She is a professor of contemporary poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University and now openly gay.
E
Fanny Eaton (1835-?) - born in Jamaica, Fanny Eaton came to London and was working as a domestic servants when she became a model for such Pre-Raphaelites painters as Joanna Mary Boyce, Rebecca Solomon and Simeon Solomon.
George Eliot (1819-1880) - the pen name of Mary Ann Evans. Born in Warwickshire, Mary Ann Evans was the daughter of a farm manager at Arbury Hall. Though a voracious reader, Evans grew up with little formal education. She moved to London aged 30 working as an editor of The Westminster Review, after living in Coventry during her 20's. It was her move to the capital and her controversial (for the time) relationship with the married George Henry Lewes that was the stimulus for the publication of her greatest works. Under the male pen name of George Eliot, Evans was to author such famous Victorian novels as Adam Bede (1859), The Mill on the Floss (1860), Silas Marner (1861), Middlemarch (1871-72), and Daniel Deronda (1876).
Tracey Emin (1963-) - is an English contemporary artist working in various media. She rose to fame in the 1990s as part of the so-called "Young British Artists" (YBAs) with controversial pieces such as Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963-1995 and My Bed. She is now also Professor of Drawing at the Royal Academy, one of the first two female professors since the Academy was founded back in 1768.
F
Marianne Faithfull (1946-) - came to fame as a singer in the 1960s before suffering from drug addiction and homelessness in the 1970s. She returned with the critically-acclaimed album Broken English in 1979. She continues to produce new material and perform to this day.
Millicent Fawcett (1847-1929) - feminist, politician and writer, Millicent Fawcett headed the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies. She also co-founded Newnham College, Cambridge in 1875, the second women's college founded at Cambridge after Girton College. She was the younger sister of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson. A statue of her stands in Parliament Square. A memorial to her in Westminster Abbey reads: "A wise constant and courageous Englishwoman. She won citizenship for women."
Gracie Fields (1898-1979) - was once the world's highest-paid female entertainer in the 1930s. Born above a chip shop in Rochdale she went on to achieve global fame as a star of both music hall and cinema. Born Grace Stansfield in 1898, she was an iconic English actress, singer, and comedienne whose career spanned over five decades, making her one of the most beloved British performers of the 20th century. Fields rose to fame in the 1930s with her distinct comedic talent and powerful singing voice, starring in numerous films and stage productions. Her most notable works include the film "Sing As We Go" and the song "Sally," which became her signature tune. A statue of her, unveiled in 2016, stands outside Rochdale Town Hall in her home town.
Rachael Heyhoe Flint (1939-2017) - was a cricketer for England from 1960 to 1982, captaining the side from 1966-1978. She did much to popularize women's cricket. A gate at Lord's cricket ground is named in her honor as is the 50-over competition in the domestic game in England. She hit the first six in a women's Test match at the Oval in 1963.
Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958) - a chemist whose work contributed to the discovery of the structure of DNA. A graduate of Newnham College she went on to research at both King's and Birkbeck colleges in London.
Elizabeth Fry (1780-1845) - is known for her social reform especially in the field of prisons. Her activism was instrumental in establishing sex segregation of prisoners and female warders for female prisons. She has featured on the Bank of England £5 note in honour of her work. Fry was a Quaker who also advocated for the abolition of slavery and better care for the homeless. She was supported in her work by Queen Victoria.
Sarah Ferguson (1959-) - ex-wife and current companion of scandal-ridden Prince Andrew, redhead Sarah, the Duchess of York, has survived debt, cash for access and toe-sucking scandals to carve out a lucrative career as author and media personality. She also does much good work for various charities, as one does.
G
Evelyn Glennie (1965-) - born on July 19, 1965, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is a world-renowned percussionist and virtuoso in the realm of classical music. Deaf since the age of 12, Glennie has defied conventional expectations by mastering various percussion instruments through her acute sense of touch and visual cues. She has collaborated with leading orchestras and artists globally, received numerous awards, including a Grammy, and continues to advocate for the importance of listening beyond sound. Dame Evelyn Glennie is celebrated not only for her exceptional musical talent but also for challenging perceptions about disability in the world of music.
Jane Goodall (1934-) is a primatologist and anthropologist, considered the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees following her years of observation of the primates at Gombe, Tanzania. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) in the 1970s to protect chimpanzees and their environment.
Evelyn Glennie (1965-) - Scottish multi-instrumentalist Glennie was born in Aberdeenshire in Scotland and grew up playing the piano and clarinet. She studied at the Royal College of Music before going on to perform mainly solo percussion. She performed at the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games and tours the world performing with orchestras and eclectic artists. Deaf since the age of 12, Glennie says she "feels" the music in other parts of her body.
Christine Granville (1908-1952) - the daughter of a Polish aristocrat, Granville (Maria Krystyna Janina Skarbek) was Britain's longest-serving female agent. She was murdered by a former lover, who was hanged at HMP Pentonville for his crime. Her war-time medals and some of her papers are in the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in Kensington.
Nell Gwyn (1650-1687) - a celebrity of her day, Nell Gwyn (Gwynne) embodies the boisterous, fun-loving spirit of the Restoration period. Beginning as an "Orange girl" selling mandarins in the theatre she rose to become a star actress and one of the many mistresses of King Charles II. She bore the king two illegitimate children before dying young, possibly of syphilis. She is buried in St Martin-in-the-Fields near Trafalgar Square.
H
Katharine Hamnett (1947-) - is best known for her political T-shirts and ethical business practices. Naomi Campbell and George Michael are some of the stars who have worn her T-shirts with such slogans as PEACE and CHOOSE LIFE.
Bess of Hardwick (1521-1608) - born Elizabeth Hardwick in 1520 or 1521, Bess was one of the most influential and wealthy women in Elizabethan England. She rose from relatively modest beginnings to become a prominent figure at court, largely through a series of strategic marriages. She is also known for her grand building projects including Chatsworth House and Hardwick Hall both in Derbyshire.
Anne Hathaway (1556-1623) - Hathaway is one of the few women on this list remembered more for her husband, William Shakespeare, than her own deeds. Little is known about Anne Hathaway herself. She married William Shakespeare in 1582, when she was 26 and William 18 and while she was pregnant with their first child. The couple had three children in all during their marriage. Shakespeare spent much of his adult life away from Anne in London, but returned to Stratford in later life to live with his wife again. Anne Hathaway's Cottage in Shottery about a mile from the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon is a major tourist attraction.
Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993) - of mixed British and Dutch parentage, Audrey Hepburn was born in Brussels. She went on to become one of the most iconic film and fashion stars of her era appearing in such classic movies as the romantic comedy Roman Holiday (1953), Sabrina (1954) and Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961). In later life she dedicated herself to humanitarian causes.
Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) - was without a doubt the preeminent female sculptor from Britain in the twentieth century and certainly among the top female sculptors of the world. Born in Wakefield in the north of England in 1903. She studied at Leeds School of Art in Leeds in northern England and befriended fellow student Henry Moore at the school. She maintained a friendly rivalry with Henry Moore as their early work shared some stylistic similarity. The two of them were largely responsible for the Modernist Movement in sculpture. During the Second World War she stayed in Cornwall with her second husband, the painter Ben Nicholson. During and just after the war, St. Ives became a major center of modern art with many European artists fleeing the conflict in Europe. In 1949 she purchased Trewyn Studio and this is where she lived and produced most of her work until her death in 1975. In accordance with her will Trewyn became the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden in 1976 and has been maintained by the Tate since 1980.
Caroline Herschel (1750-1848) - was born in Germany but spent most of her life in England before returning to Germany, grief-stricken on the death of her brother. Like her brother William Herschel she was an astronomer and served as his scientific assistant when he was appointed royal astronomer at the court at Windsor. Her salary at Windsor was the first that a woman had ever received for scientific work in the UK. She discovered eight comets during her lifetime.
Octavia Hill (1838- 1912) - was a social reformer who did much to improve the lives of Britain's urban poor, especially in London. She advocated for both social housing and open, green spaces for the underprivileged. Her activism helped save both Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill Fields in the capital from development.
Dorothy Hodgkin (1910-1994) - a pioneering British chemist renowned for her groundbreaking work in the field of X-ray crystallography, which fundamentally advanced our understanding of biochemical structures. Born in 1910, Hodgkin's most significant contributions include determining the three-dimensional structures of important biological molecules, such as penicillin, vitamin B12, and insulin. Her meticulous work on these complex molecules earned her the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964, making her the first British woman to receive this honor. Hodgkin's research not only elucidated the molecular architectures of these compounds but also paved the way for advancements in medicine and biochemistry, influencing drug development and treatment strategies for various diseases.
Kelly Holmes (1970-) - won double Olympic gold medallist in the 800m and 1500m at the 2004 Athens Games (only the third woman in history to do so). In her youth Holmes served in the British Army before turning professional in the 1990s. She excelled at several sports during her time in the forces. She was made a Dame in 2005 and founded the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, a registered charity in 2008. She came out as lesbian in 2022 describing it as a "great relief."
Lucy Hope (1980-) - is the founder of The Daughters of Mars, a company that is developing a new type of tampon designed to support the vaginal microbiome and enhance natural defenses against harmful bacteria. The product, which features a patented prebiotic coating, is currently under development and is expected to launch in 2026. This innovation is intended to be a proactive approach to vaginal health and may help improve the lives of millions of women.
Margaret Howell (1946-) - contemporary British clothing designer Margaret Howell produces both men's and women's fashions. She describes her clothes as "updated modern classics."
Nadiya Jamir Hussain (1984-) is a British TV chef and author who shot to fame after winning The Great British Bake Off on the BBC in 2015. Born in Luton, she has been described as doing "more for British-Muslim relations than 10 years of government policy".
I
Elsie Inglis (1864-1917) - born in India but educated in Edinburgh, Scotland, Elsie Inglis was a pioneering doctor, surgeon, teacher and activist for women's rights. She lectured in gynecology at the Medical College for Women in the Scottish capital, set up in private practice and also opened a hospital for poor women. During World War I she led her own all-female medical unit in Serbia for which she was awarded the Serbian Order of the White Eagle (First Class). Returning from the war, she died on her first day back in Britain and is buried in the Dean Cemetery.
J
Annabel Jankel (1955-) - is a film and TV director and was co-creator of the AI character, Max Headroom in the 1980s. In 2018, Jankel directed the movie, Tell It to the Bees, a lesbian romantic love story set in 1950s Scotland based on the novel of the same name.
Heather Jansch (1949-2021) - born in the greater London area, sculptor Heather Jansch made her home in Devon and is famous for her figures of horses and now other animals done in driftwood from the Devon coast and fallen oak wood collected around her country home. Heather's love of horses saw her first make a living painting equestrian commissions, then experimenting with horse sculptures from wire before moving on to the larger wooden forms, which made her fame and fortune.
Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) - is one of the most influential figures in British garden design. During her career she designed over 400 gardens in Britain, Europe and the USA including Castle Drogo in Devon, Hestercombe Gardens in Somerset and her own garden at Munstead Wood in Surrey. She also wrote extensively on horticulture.
K
Helena Kennedy (1950-) - Glasgow-born Helena Kennedy is a barrister, broadcaster, and Member of the House of Lords. She has held a number of official positions in academia and is a fervent human rights activist and feminist.
Noor Inayat Khan (1914-1944) - born in Moscow to a family of Indian Muslims, Khan became a radio operator and later spy for British intelligence during World War II. She was betrayed and executed at Dachau concentration camp near Munich. She was posthumously awarded the George Cross for her bravery.
Cath Kidston (1958-) - Kidston's fashion brand began life in the founder's own words as a "glorified junk shop" in London's Holland Park in 1994. Now big now just in Britain but Japan, China and South Korea, too, Cath Kidston's distinctive floral patterns evoke a "quintessential British way of life."
Keira Knightley (1985-) - is a British actress who first came to fame in Gurinder Chadha's Bend It Like Beckham (2002). She has since appeared in a number of successful movies including Pride & Prejudice (2005), The Duchess (2008), The Imitation Game (2014) and Colette (2018). Knightley has also campaigned on various issues including domestic abuse and refugees.
L
Doreen Lawrence (1952-) - is a campaigner and the mother of Stephen Lawrence who was murdered in a racist attack in south London in 1993. Her and her husband's complaints about the police handling of the case led to a judicial inquiry which concluded that the Metropolitan Police was "institutionally racist." She sits in the House of Lords as Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon.
Dorothy Lawrence (1896-1964) - was a journalist who disguised herself as a man to serve in the trenches in World War I. In a sad tale she was discovered, interrogated and sent back to England. Her book on the subject did not become the commercial success she had hoped for. In later life she suffered from mental health issues and was deemed insane. She died in Friern Hospital the former Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum.
Nigella Lawson (1960-) - is a well-known food writer and TV personality. Her books How to Eat and How to Be a Domestic Goddess were both best-sellers. She is the daughter of former Tory chancellor Nigel Lawson and has been married to journalist John Diamond and Charles Saatchi. The first ended with the death of her husband and the second in divorce.
Annie Lennox (1954) - singer-songwriter from Aberdeen, Scotland, Lennox came to fame in the 1980s as the androgenous lead singer of the Eurythmics. The band's hits included "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" and "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)." Lennox went solo in the early 1990s. She is a vegetarian, feminist and social activist.
Doris Lessing (1919-2013) - author and Nobel Prize Winner Doris Lessing was born in Iran to British parents before moving to what was then Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Arriving in London in 1949, Lessing was drawn to Communism before leaving the Party after the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956. Her later novels included science fiction and the semi-autobiographical "Children of Violence" series.
Andrea Levy (1956-2019) - born in London to Jamaican immigrant parents her novels explore race and cultural identity in post-World War II Britain. Taking up writing only later in life, she struggled at first to find a publisher. Levy's most important works are Small Island (2004) and The Long Song (2010).
Dua Lipa (1995-) - is a singer, songwriter, and model of Albanian descent born in London. She rose to international prominence with her self-titled debut album, "Dua Lipa," which was released in 2017. Her interest in music developed at an early age, and she began posting cover songs on YouTube. In 2015, she signed with Warner Bros. That year she recorded and released her debut single, "New Love." The following year, she gained widespread attention with the release of "Hotter Than Hell" and "Blow Your Mind (Mwah). She has received several accolades for her contributions to the music industry. Notable among these are multiple Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist and Best Dance Recording. Her success has solidified her position as one of the leading UK pop artists of her generation. She has also been actively involved in social and political issues. She has used her platform to advocate for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health awareness. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she participated in various charity initiatives to support healthcare workers and those affected by the crisis.
Anne Lister - Britain's first rainbow plaque was unveiled at Holy Trinity Church in Goodramgate, York in 2018. It is dedicated to Anne Lister (1791-1840) who "married" her lesbian lover, Ann Walker at the church.
Kathleen Lonsdale (1903-1971) - though born in Ireland lived much of her life in England where she became a respected scientist and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). She was the first tenured female professor at University College London and is known for her research in crystallography (the arrangement of atoms). The Kathleen Lonsdale building at UCL is named after her.
Ada Lovelace (1815-1852) - is described as the world's first computer programmer for writing the first algorithm for use on Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine - a 19th century proto-computer. A mathematician and writer, Lovelace was the only child of poet Lord Byron and Lady Byron.
Lulu (1948-) - born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie in Lennoxtown, Scotland, Lulu enjoyed fame as a solo performer in the 1960s and 70s with songs such as the title song to the 1974 James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun and Shout! released a decade before. She has been a regular guest and sometimes presenter on TV in the UK.
Vera Lynn (1917-2020) - was an entertainer and singer best known for her songs and performances during World War II. She won the hearts of British troops everywhere with songs such as We'll Meet Again, (There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover, and There'll Always Be an England. She remained popular after the war and spent over 90 years in the entertainment business.
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Flora MacDonald (1722-1790) - Fionnghal nic Dhòmhnaill in Gaelic remains a Scottish heroine for aiding the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie via the Isle of Skye after the disaster of Culloden in 1746. She was held in the Tower of London for a time for her part in the escape and later emigrated to America. Her family's support for the Crown in the American War of Independence led to the loss of her estates in North Carolina and she returned to Scotland in 1780.
Hilary Mantel (1952) - is a novelist and two-time Booker Prize winner best known for her historical fiction most notably Wolf Hall, and Bring Up the Bodies. Both books explore the English Reformation and the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell, the chief minister of Henry VIII.
Mary Queen of Scots (1542-1587) - Mary Stuart's tragic reign as Queen of Scotland is marked by murder and mystery. Her first husband, Francis II of France died of illness when he was only 16. Mary just 17 at the time. Returning to Scotland from the royal court in Paris she married Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. In a little over a year, he too was dead, murdered on the orders of the Earl of Bothwell, who then married Mary in another tragic and unhappy union.
Theresa May (1956-) - was Britain's second female Prime Minister after Margaret Thatcher. She previously served as Home Secretary before becoming Prime Minister from 2016-2019 during the difficult Brexit negotiations. She describes herself as a "One-Nation" conservative.
Stella McCartney (1971-) - influential fashion designer and daughter of former Beatle Paul McCartney and his wife Linda McCartney. Like both her parents, Stella is known for her support of animal rights as well as her use of plant-based alternatives in her creations.
Anne McLaren (1927-2007) - a distinguished British developmental biologist whose seminal research profoundly impacted the fields of reproductive biology and genetics. Born in 1927, McLaren's pioneering work focused on mammalian embryology, where she made significant strides in understanding the mechanisms of early development and fertility. Her most notable contributions include her collaborative work in the development of in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques and the successful culturing of mouse embryos outside the womb, which provided critical insights into human reproductive health. McLaren's research laid the groundwork for modern reproductive technologies, greatly enhancing the ability to address infertility issues and advancing genetic engineering practices. Beyond her scientific achievements, McLaren was a dedicated advocate for ethical considerations in reproductive research and played a vital role in shaping policies and regulations in this domain.
Catherine Middleton (1982-) - Kate Middleton rivals Katie Price for tabloid inches but is at the other end of the social scale. Wife of Prince William, and Duchess of Cambridge, she met her husband at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Possessing the common touch, Kate is one of the most-loved figures in modern Britain and known for her commitment to social causes.
Helen Mirren (1945-) - is a British actor probably best-known for her Academy Award-winning role as Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen (2006). Born in London, Mirren began acting on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company and on the West End before appearing on Broadway and at the National Theatre. Her most well-known movie roles from the over 60 she has appeared in include The Madness of King George (1994), Gosford Park (2001), The Last Station (2009), and Hitchcock (2012). Helen Mirren is an enthusiastic advocator and practitioner of naturism (non-sexual social nudity).
M.I.A. (1975-) - Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, known by her stage name M.I.A., is a British rapper, singer, songwriter, and visual artist. Born in Hounslow, London, she spent her early years in Sri Lanka before returning to the UK as a refugee due to the Sri Lankan Civil War. M.I.A. gained international recognition with her politically charged and genre-blending music, notably the hit single "Paper Planes." Her work often explores themes of identity, activism, and global issues. M.I.A. is celebrated for her unique sound, provocative lyrics, and commitment to social and political causes.
Kate Moss (1974) - supermodel and style icon Kate Moss burst onto the fashion scene in the 1990s when she appeared on the cover of The Face magazine, aged only 16. Long the public face for Calvin Klein, Moss has appeared for many of the biggest brands in the fashion world such as Burberry, Chanel, Givenchy, and Versace.
Iris Murdoch (1919-1999) - novelist and philosopher Iris Murdoch is best known for her novel The Sea, the Sea which won the 1978 Booker Prize. Her 40-year marriage to the literary critic John Bayley was sexless but endured while Murdoch participated in various affairs with both men and women. Their relationship is portrayed in the movie Iris (2001).
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Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) - is among the most famous British women known around the world for her work as a nurse during the Crimean War. Revered as the "founder of modern nursing." Born in Florence, Italy, hence her name, Nightingale went on to found the nursing school at St Thomas' Hospital in London. It was the world's first secular school of nursing. In her work in the Crimea she emphasized good hygiene and sanitation, as more wounded soldiers died of infectious diseases at the time than of their actual battlefield injuries. Becoming known as "The Lady With The Lamp," Nightingale did not enjoy a good relationship with fellow nurse Mary Seacole. Temporary hospitals set up in Britain during the Covid-19 pandemic were named NHS Nightingale Hospitals in her honor.
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Christine Ohuruogu (1984-) - is a former Olympic, World and Commonwealth 400-metre champion. She won the individual 400-metres at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and took silver at the 2012 Olympic Games in her home city of London.
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Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928) - Pankhurst was one of the main organizers of the suffragette movement which campaigned to give women the vote. Born in Manchester, her former house at 62 Nelson Street is preserved as the Pankhurst Centre. It was here that the first meeting of the Suffragettes was held in 1903 and where Emmeline Pankhurst lived with her daughters Christabel and Sylvia from 1897-1907 before they moved to London.
Camilla Parker-Bowles (1947-) - born Camilla Rosemary Shand, she was the mistress of the then Prince Charles during his marriage to Lady Diana and now his wife. As the wife of King Charles III she is Queen of the United Kingdom. She is her known for her active involvement in various charitable endeavors and her steadfast support of the king.
Sue Perkins (1969-) - a prominent Scottish comedian, writer, and television presenter, is best known for her sharp wit, humor, and versatile presence in British media. Though born in London, Perkins' Scottish heritage has influenced her work and identity. She initially gained fame as part of the comedy duo "Mel and Sue," alongside her long-time collaborator Mel Giedroyc. The pair became household names with their hosting role on the popular baking competition show, The Great British Bake Off, where Perkins' dry humor and warm rapport with contestants won her widespread acclaim. Beyond her work in comedy and television, Perkins has also explored more personal and serious topics in her documentaries and writing, addressing issues such as her health struggles, LGBT+ identity, and social justice. Her ability to balance humor with thoughtful commentary has made her a beloved and influential figure in British entertainment.
Mary Peters (1939-) - won the gold medal in the women's pentathlon at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. Though born in Lancashire, Mary Peters moved to Northern Ireland at a young age. In 1975 she established the Mary Peters Trust to help young sportsmen and women in Northern Ireland.
Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) - is most famous for her children's book The Tale of Peter Rabbit. As well as her books, Beatrix Potter is remembered for her conservation work in the Lake District. On her death she left almost all her land holdings to the National Trust - over 4,000 acres and 16 farms! She was also a talented artist and highly knowledgeable in the field of mycology (the study of fungi). Yet another of her many talents was the raising and breeding of Herdwick sheep. The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness on Windermere is a fun day out for both children and adults and for those who wish to know more about this amazing woman.
Katie Price (1978-) - tabloid mainstay Katie aka Jordan is never far from the general consciousness of the British public. Married three times and counting, five children and a serial romancer, media darling Katie provides acres of copy as her life just gets more and more complicated. Hugely talented and seemingly very, very busy, Katie sings, appears on reality TV, drives dangerously, loves cosmetic surgery, holidays abroad a lot and writes children's stories.
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Mary Quant (1930-) - doyen of the youth fashion scene in the 1960's, Mary Quant is often credited with creating the hotpants and miniskirts of the time. Born in Blackheath in London and educated at Goldsmith's, Mary Quant began designer her own clothes after an apprenticeship in high-end fashion. She is quoted as naming the miniskirt after her favourite car, the Mini. Quant also claims she invented the duvet. She is now in her 90s.
Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) - Elizabeth Tudor (the "Virgin Queen"), the daughter of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII is one of England's greatest and most complicated monarchs. Inheriting the throne at a time of great danger for both herself and her country, she was the greatest of the Tudor monarchs. Known for her pragmaticism and for her navy's defeat of the Spanish Armada, she could be kind and magnanimous but also cruel and mean. Her long reign saw the flowering of English drama and language with Shakespeare, Johnson, Marlowe and their contemporaries as well as the beginnings of British naval power under Frobisher, Drake, Grenville et al. Britain's future empire also had its beginnings under Elizabeth with the voyages of Raleigh, Thomas Cavendish and Sir John Hawkins - one of England's first slave traders. Like Queen Victoria she gave her name to a seminal period in British history.
Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) - the the longest-reigning king or queen in British history. A towering figure, she symbolized and united 20th and 21st century Britain. The country will definitely be a different place as her less-than-popular eldest son Prince Charles inherits her throne after her death in September 2022.
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Paula Radcliffe (1973-) - Paula Radcliffe is a former champion British long-distance runner and a three-time winner of the London Marathon.
Radclyffe Hall (1880-1943) - best known for the novel The Well of Loneliness, Radclyffe Hall went by the name of John rather than her given name of Marguerite. Promiscuous throughout her life, Hall settled in Rye with her long-term partner, sculptor and translator, Una Troubridge.
Emma Raducanu (2002-) - is a British tennis player who gained worldwide acclaim for her stunning victory at the 2021 US Open, becoming the first British woman to win a Grand Slam singles title in 44 years. Her athleticism, composure, and meteoric rise in the tennis world have made her a prominent and inspiring figure in sports. Raducanu's form has slumped somewhat since her triumph in 2021.
Angela Rayner (1980-) - is a prominent British Labour Party politician who serves as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashton-under-Lyne, a position she has held since 2015. Born in Stockport, she is known for her compelling personal story, Rayner left school at 16 without formal qualifications and worked as a care worker before becoming a trade union representative with UNISON. Within the Labour Party, she has held several senior roles, including Deputy Leader, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. She was Deputy Leader of the Labour Party a position she held from 2020 until she resigned over a tax scandal in 2025.
Rachel Reeves (1979-) - is a British Labour Party politician and economist who has served as Chancellor of the Exchequer since July 2024, becoming the first woman to hold the post in its centuries-long history. She has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Leeds West and Pudsey (formerly Leeds West) since 2010 and previously held a range of shadow ministerial roles, including Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer. Reeves studied at New College, Oxford, and earned a master's degree in economics from the London School of Economics before working as an economist at the Bank of England and in the private sector. As chancellor, she leads the UK government's economic and fiscal policy under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Denise Robertson (1932-2016) - a beloved British agony aunt, widely recognized for her warmth, compassion, and wisdom. Born in Sunderland in 1932, she became a household name as the resident agony aunt on ITV's This Morning, a role she held from the show's inception in 1988 until her passing in 2016.
Anita Roddick (1942-2007) - founder of the world famous British-version of Body Shop brand. As well as being a successful businesswoman, Roddick was an enthusiastic human rights activist and environmental campaigner.
Christine Rossetti (1830-1894) - was born in London the daughter of an Italian exile and the British-born mother of another exile from Italy. She is best remembered for her poetry, Christmas carols, hymns and ballads. She was the sister of painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
J. K. Rowling (1965-) - is the pen name of author Joanne Rowling, best known as the author of the Harry Potter series of books. Born in Gloucestershire and educated at Exeter University, Rowling spent time teaching English in Portugal, before returning to the UK, divorced and with a young child. Her first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone came out in 1997.
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Alex Scott (1984-) - born in London, Alex Scott is a former England football international and now TV presenter and pundit. Scott played the majority of her career as a full-back for Arsenal W.F.C. as well as spells with Birmingham City and the Boston Breakers in the USA. She also represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.
Mary Seacole (1805-1881) - was a British-Jamaican nurse and businesswoman who worked in the Crimea at the same time as Florence Nightingale, with whom she seemingly did not enjoy the best of relationships. Nightingale's achievements may have overshadowed those of Seacole, who may not have deserved the recognition she deserved after her death due to the color of her skin. Seacole set up the so-called "British Hotel" behind the lines in the Crimea and treated mainly wounded officers with herbal remedies and good hygiene. Heavily in debt after the conflict, she was saved from financial ruin by public fund-raising sponsored by the many veterans she had nursed back to health. Her Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands was the first autobiography written by a black woman in Britain. In 2004, Seacole was voted the greatest black Briton.
Helen Sharman (1963-) - was the first Briton and first Western European woman to venture into space when she joined a Soviet space mission in 1991.
Mary Shelley (1797-1851) - is most famous as the author of the Gothic novel Frankenstein - an early progenitor of the science fiction genre. Mary Shelley was the daughter of the political philosopher William Godwin and feminist activist Mary Wollstonecraft. She married the Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley with whom she had a troubled relationship.
Claire Short (1946-) - born in Birmingham, Claire Short represented Birmingham Ladywood as MP and was Secretary of State for International Development under Prime Minister Tony Blair from 1997 to 2003.
Zadie Smith (1975-) - is a novelist, essayist, and short-story writer who rose to fame with her first novel White Teeth (2000).
Ethyl Smyth (1858-1944) - was an English composer and women's rights activist. As well as her compositions for orchestras, she also wrote operas, with The Wreckers being her most famous. She suffered throughout her career due to her sex, being marginalized as a "woman composer." A lesbian, she had a number of love affairs with women most notably with Violet Gordon-Woodhouse (1872-1948), a keyboard player of the harpsichord and clavichord.
Mary Somerville (1780-1872) - the "queen of science" was the first woman along with Caroline Herschel to be elected as the first female Honorary Members of the Royal Astronomical Society. Born in Scotland, she spent a lifetime in self-study of the physical sciences and was an early supporter of women's right to vote. Somerville College at Oxford University is named after her.
Marie Stopes (1880-1958) - Dr. Marie Charlotte Carmichael Stopes was initially an academic and palaeobotanist, and later a campaigner for birth control, eugenics and women's rights. The Marie Stopes House just off Tottenham Court Road in London was the first birth control clinic to be set up in Britain. Born into a well-off middle class family, Stopes first of all excelled as an academic in her chosen field of palaeobotany and graduated from University College London (UCL) before going on to complete her PhD in Munich. She was to become the first female lecturer at the University of Manchester in 1904.
Nicola Sturgeon (1970-) - is the current leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and the First Minister of Scotland. She is the first woman to hold either position. A former solicitor and law graduate of Glasgow University, Nicola Sturgeon revealed it was Mrs. Thatcher who inspired her to enter politics, as it "was wrong for Scotland to be governed by a Tory government that we hadn't elected."
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Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011) - combines a few roles - actress, humanitarian and sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s. Born in London to American parents, she was the highest-earning actress of the 1960s and her on-off relationship with Richard Burton was a tabloid sensation of her time. She had seven husbands during her lifetime including Burton who she married twice. Some of her most memorable movies include National Velvet (1944), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), Cleopatra (1963) and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966). In later life Taylor dedicated much time to her HIV/AIDS activism raising millions for the cause.
Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013) - love her or hate her and Thatcher certainly stirred strong emotions, "Mrs T" changed the face of British politics. Born Margaret Roberts in Grantham, Lincolnshire, she was famously the daughter of a grocer and tobacconist. Educated at Somerville College, Oxford, she became a research chemist, then barrister before being elected as MP for Finchley in London in 1958. Thatcher's political rise began when she was appointed Secretary of State for Education and Science in 1970 before becoming the first female leader of a major political party in the UK in 1975. After winning the 1979 election she began a series of radical policy changes now known as "Thatcherism." These are briefly privatization, deregulation of the financial industry and opposition to trade unionism. Her policies were deeply polarizing and she may well have lost the next election but for victory in the 1982 Falklands War. She won a landslide in 1983, survived an IRA assassination attempt on her hotel in Brighton the following year and presided over the crushing of the 1984-85 miners' strike. Dubbed the "Iron Lady" by the Russians, Margaret Thatcher was the first female prime minister in British history and the longest-serving British prime minister of the 20th century.
Emma Thompson (1959-) - is an award-winning English actress born in London and a graduate of Newnham College, Cambridge. It was while at Cambridge that her acting career began. Emma Thompson is the only person to win an Oscar for both acting and writing. In later life she has become an activist for such causes as human rights and the environment.
Twiggy (1949-) - Lesley Lawson nicknamed "Twiggy" was a 1960s icon as a teenage model with a look that defined an era. She later went on to have a successful career as an actress, singer and TV personality.
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Queen Victoria (1819-1901) - was a monarch who defined an era. Queen from 1837 until her death in 1901 her reign saw Britain reach its zenith of imperial power. Married to Prince Albert she was the mother of an incredible nine children, several of whom married into the royal families of various European states. This led to her being known as "the grandmother of Europe." After the death of her beloved Albert in 1861, she frequently dressed in black, rarely visited London, preferring to stay at Windsor Castle and Balmoral in Scotland. Her relationship and growing closeness with the Scottish servant John Brown at Balmoral after Albert's death is portrayed in the movie Mrs Brown (1997). Victoria is played by Judi Dench. Victoria died aged 81 at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. Her historical legacy was to prove huge and is remembered in the naming of avenues, bridges, cemeteries, colleges, dams, embankments, falls, ferries, gardens, glaciers, harbors, hotels, islands, lakes, medals (the Victoria Cross), mountains, museums, parks, peaks, piers, prisons, provinces, pubs, reservoirs, rivers, roads, squares, stadiums, states, stations, streets, theaters, towns, underground lines and universities around the English-speaking world.
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Virgina Wade (1945-) - won three major tennis championships (Australian Open, US Open and Wimbledon) and is regarded as one of the best female tennis players of the 1970s. She remains the last British female winner of Wimbledon way back in 1977. She later became the first woman to be elected to the Wimbledon Committee in 1982. Wade lives with another woman in the USA but had great success on the doubles court in her day with Margaret Court who opposes same-sex marriage.
Nicola Jane Walker (1970-) - is a British actress born in Stepney, London. She is best known for her work in television, particularly for her roles in acclaimed dramas. Nicola Walker has gained recognition for her versatile performances and has been praised for her contributions to the entertainment industry. Notable roles include her work in TV series like "Spooks" and "Last Tango in Halifax," showcasing her talent and establishing her as a respected actress in the British television landscape.
Julie Walters (1950-) - is an English actress known for her roles in such films as Educating Rita (1983), her breakout movie, the Harry Potter series and Mary Poppins Returns (2018). She is also a regular on stage and British TV.
Vivienne Westwood (1941-2022) - was an influential fashion designer and also activist who came to fame in the 1970s along with Malcolm McLaren. The pair were highly prominent in the punk music and fashion scene with a shop on the King's Road in Chelsea, called SEX and McLaren's band the Sex Pistols. A vegetarian, Westwood was as well-known for her activism for green and environmental causes as her clothes. She remains, however, one of the great figures of post-war British fashion design.
Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784) - was the first African-American author of a published book of poetry Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, which was published in London in 1773. Enslaved at the time, she was freed by her owners and although she was to die in poverty aged only 31, she became a sensation after the publication of her work.
Elsie Widdowson (1908-2000) - was a British dietitian and nutritionist instrumental in the British government adding vitamins to food and rationing during World War II.
Shirley Williams (1930-2021) - Williams from London was a politician who served in the Labour cabinet from 1974-1979. She later defected to the Liberal Democrats as one of the so-called "Gang of Four." She lost her seat in Parliament and went on to become leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords.
Amy Winehouse (1983-2011) - was a British singer-songwriter known for her soulful, jazz-influenced voice and iconic album "Back to Black." Despite her immense talent, she struggled with substance abuse, which tragically led to her untimely death at the age of only 27. Winehouse's music continues to be celebrated for its emotional depth and lasting impact on the music industry.
Kate Winslet (1975-) - an acclaimed and award-winning English actress known for her roles in such movies as Sense and Sensibility (1995), Titanic (1997), Finding Neverland (2004) and The Reader (2008). She recently portrayed Mary Anning in the 2020 film, Ammonite.
Jeanette Winterson (1959-) - her 1985 autobiographical novel Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit about a young lesbian girl growing up in the north of England brought her to national attention.
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) - was an early pioneer for women's rights, philosopher, translator and writer. She was the mother of Mary Shelley from her marriage to the philosopher William Godwin. She is best known for her A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792).
Virginia Woolf 1882-1941 - a pioneering modernist and feminist author famous for her stream of consciousness novels To the Lighthouse (1927) and A Room of One's Own (1929). Although married to Leonard Woolf, Virginia had a relationship with fellow author Vita Sackville-West, as well as affairs with other women. Plagued by mental health problems for much of her life, she committed suicide by drowning aged 59.
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Gladys Yang (1919-1999) - was a translator of Chinese literature and the first graduate in Chinese language from Oxford University in 1940. She was married to another famous literary translator Yang Xianyi. Born in Beijing and educated in England, she was imprisoned along with her husband during the Cultural Revolution.
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Catherine Zeta-Jones (1969-) - Welsh Academy award winning actress born in Swansea. She is married to the American actor Michael Douglas, 25 years her senior.
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