Louths Famous People Louth Home Introduction Louth Attractions Louth Activities and Sports Louth Shops Louth Famous People History in Louth Louth Eat and Drink   Captain John Smith -  Captain John Smith has become a mythic hero in American history, largely because of the myths he himself created. Smith promoted the Virginia Company's interests in the New World and he provided the leadership necessary to save the colonists during the early years of the settlement. Although many of his narratives seem boastful and swashbuckling, his accounts were intended to lure adventurous new settlers to Virginia. Smith's descriptions of the settlement of Jamestown and his encounters with the Indians of the region are invaluable resources of American history. John Smith was baptized in Willoughby by Alford, England, on January 9, 1579. He was the eldest son of George Smith and Alice Rickards. George Smith was a yeoman farmer who most probably worked for Peregrine Bertie (Lord Willoughby). Smith was educated in Alford and later he attended the King Edward VI Grammar school in nearby Louth (the same school which educated the Poet Alfred Lord Tennyson 230 years later) Captain John Smith Key Dates 1606    First Virginia Company Charter; in December, 105 English men and boys, including Smith sail in three small ships for Virginia,  1607     Ships arrive in Virginia; May 13th Jamestown Colony settled 1608     Smith elected President of Virginia;  Scrooby Separatists, later known as the Pilgrim Fathers, leave England for Holland  1609     Smith has to return to England, badly injured; 1609 2nd Virginia Company Charter appointing a Governor, rather than rule by Council; 1612 3rd Virginia Company Charter extends boundaries to include Bermuda 1614     Pocahontas marries John Rolfe in Virginia 1616     Pocahontas and John Rolfe visit England; Pocahontas dies in 1617 at Gravesend   1631      John Smith dies in London   Captain John Smith portrayed by Colin Farrell in the 2005 Movie "The New World"   JAMES GILLICK James Gillick is an artist who lives in Louth, his most famous works to date include his commissions to paint Pope John Paul II and Baroness Margaret Thatcher.  click above for larger image Sister Wendy on James Gillick........ "At a time when too much contemporary art is both adolescent and unexciting, it is a joy to find a true artist, committed heart, soul and hand to celebrate the beauty of the world. James Gillick sees this beauty in the ordinary: nothing here is picturesque or Romanticised. A lone jonquil in a glass jar is depicted with the same reverent attention as vegetables and fruit on a kitchen table. He catches all the subtleties of light, the simplicity or complexity of form, the shiny textures of fish scales and the coarse smoothness of vegetable rind."   Alfred Lord Tennyson Alfred Tennyson was born in Somersby Lincolnshire in 1809 and before going on to Cambridge he studied at the Grammar School here in Louth for 4 years. Alfred Tennyson became was the most popular poet of the Victorian era and was made poet Laureate at the insistence of Prince Albert. Not only was he popular in Victorian times but he's well known on the internet. Have a look at a few of these sites for more information. He is often know as Lord Alfred Tennyson, which is incorrect as he wasn't a Lord. His middle Christian name was in fact "Lord". The charge of the light brigade link also has a recording of Tennyson reading his poem in 1890 whilst being recorded by Thomas Edisons wax cylinder. Alfred Lord Tennyson Died in 1892 and is buried in Westminster Abbey in Poets corner Tennyson Poetry Charge of the Light Brigade Tennyson Research Centre, Lincoln Lincolnshire Web   Robert Wyatt was a founding member of the Soft Machine, who along with Pink Floyd Helped to transform the late sixties psychedelic scene in the UK into something more lasting. Through successive albums, Soft Machine soon moved toward a more jazz-based fusion with rock music, punctuated by Wyatt's distinctive drumming and vocals, attracting a massive following across Europe. After extensive touring, Wyatt left intending to pursue a solo career, but instead assembled Matching Mole who released two critically acclaimed LP's before disbanding prematurely.  In 1973, Wyatt fell from a third floor window during a party, leaving him paralysed from the waist  downwards. From that day onwards he has concentrated his efforts into solo recordings, mixing simple and effective keyboard melody lines with poignant lyrics, often filled with personal and political references. The results have proved both haunting and reflective, even producing two chart hits - his 1974 re-working of 'I'm a Believer', and the 1983 Falklands War indictment 'Shipbuilding' written especially for him by Elvis Costello. Robert lives in Louth.  Lullaloop  Forest Roy Chubby Brown Left home at 14, then lived rough until joining the merchant navy among various other jobs. Got into the working men's clubs in the 50s, first as a drummer, then evolved a comedy act. He appeared on Opportunity Knocks in the 70s and came fourth. He then decided to 'go blue' and became one of the most foul-mouthed comics on his circuit. His act causes offence to many, but has built up a dedicated following, even though the nature of his material has kept him off TV. Sales of his videos and audio tapes are phenomenal. He now lives close to Louth (forgotten which village) CORRINE DREWERY  One half - with Andy Connell - of Swing Out Sister, veterans of British pop since their 1987 hit, Breakout. Although their last UK release came in 1994, they haven't been lazy, tackling America and conquering the Japanese market.  Based in Lincolnshire and seen in Louth on a occasion. Possibly lives in Louth? By 2002, 'Somewhere Deep in the Night' hit the streets and contained the popular 'Alpine Crossing' that saw a remix, named after the U.K. deejay Robbie Vincent, issued. Two years later and the duo released 'Where Our Love Grows', which is perhaps the duo's strongest album to date.   Patrick Mower Patrick Mower made his name as a special agent in the 1970s TV series The Avengers, Patrick has not stopped working, making films and television series for America and other countries. Patrick lives near Louth with his family and has done a number of years. He is a thoroughly nice chap and can seen around Louth from time to time. He is currently acting as the character Rodney Blackstock in ITV1's soap opera Emmerdale.  Matthew Macfayden Born in Great Yarmouth in Norfolk in 1974.   He is married to former Spooks co-star and fellow actor Keeley Hawes. They have a young daughter called Maggie. His mother was an actress and a trained drama teacher teaching at Kidgate school in Louth. His father was in the Oil business, and he spent much of his childhood moving around, as his father's job often took the family overseas to such places as the Far East and Brazil.    He attended Kidgate School in Louth before moving on to Oakham School in Rutland, Leicestershire, where he was a drama scholar from 1990 to 1992. In 1999, he was nominated for an RSC Ian Charleson Award for 'Best Classical Actor under 30'. He made his television debut in the 1998 Granada Television production of 'Wuthering Heights' in the role of Hareton Earnshaw.  In 2002 he took on his most mainstream role to date - starring as MI5 Senior Case Officer Tom Quinn in the Bafta Award-winning BBC1 drama series 'Spooks'.   In the Summer of 2004 he filmed the lead role of Mr Darcy in Working Title Film's brand new production of Pride and Prejudice. Michael Foule "The vehicle transfer hatch was open on January 31, 2004 at 21:00. The Expedition crew ISS-8 consisting of Russian cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri (Flight engineer) and US astronaut Michael Foule (Commander) will have to transfer and accommodate the delivered cargoes to the Station, deinstall the vehicle rendezvous system equipment for its subsequent utilization, as well as load the wasted materials and equipment to the vehicle" Yes it all sounds very technical but NASA have made one huge error!  Michael Foule isn't a US astronaut he's a Lincolnshire astronaut - Louth to be exact! (see B B C article: ASTRONAUT FOULE HEADS FOR SPACE) Links UK astronaut sets sights on Mars from BBC news! Nasa Biographical Data page on Michael Foale Air-lock terror for Shuttle crew     Charlotte AlingtonPye,  [pseudonym: Claribel] 23 Dec. 1830 Louth, Lincolnshire Daughter of solicitor Henry Alington Pye and Charlotte Yerburgh, Charlotte became one of the most successful and prolific ballad composers of the 19th century.  After attending a “Vocal and Miscellaneous Entertainment” at the Mansion House in Louth in 1838, she declared that she would become a poet and writer. And, a little over a year later when her father, the Warden of Louth, carried out the old custom of distributing cloth to poor women, Charlotte wrote a 20-verse poem to commemorate the occasion.  By 1847, she was well enough known that when the new railway station was built at Louth, she was asked to lay the cornerstone.  Charlotte married Charles Barnard in 1854, and they lived at The Firs in Westgate, though Charles was parson of St. Olave’s in Ruckland. Following Charlotte’s presentation at court in 1856, the couple moved to Pimlico in London. Among their neighbours was Michael Costa, conductor at Covent Garden, where Charlotte often attended   Graham Fellows (AKA John Shuttleworth) Graham first rose to fame as Jilted John, who in August 1978 got to number 4 in the UK charts with 'Jilted John'.  At the time he said his ambition was to appear on Coronation Street - his wish was fulfilled four months later, and in the process became the only Coronation Street actor to have a top-ten hit before appearing in the Street (David Jones and Peter Noone went on to have recording careers; in 1968 Sue Nicholls only got to No17 with Where Will You Be). Graham lives in Louth and is now best known for his portrayal  of Sheffield-born bon viveur and keyboard ace John Shuttleworth. His TV credits have been Reeves and Mortimor, Coogans Run,Comics and more including the feature film "Morons from Outer Space"       Barbara Dickson   Barbara is our neighbour here in Louth. She is an A1 celebrity- I've met her and I was impressed, she's charming and not at all pretentious - unlike many celebrities.    Here is a quote from Barbaras website about her recent album "Full Circle"- 'Full Circle' is my latest studio album which is now available from RandM Records. The album has been produced and arranged by Troy Donockley and we had a wonderful time making it. I am extremely proud of the end result and I hope you will love it as much as we do. Jeffrey Archer Jeffrey Howard Archer was born on April 15, 1940, in the City of London maternity hospital to William Archer and his wife Lola, a journalist. Jeffrey became a star athlete and eventually reached the national schools championship for track. After dropping out of the army, tending bar and spending some time in San Francisco, Jeffrey found himself back at school. Though never before a scholar, he gained admittance to Brasenose College, Oxford, to pursue a graduate diploma in education. Once there he thrived, even managing to persuade The Beatles to play a charity concert on campus. In the summer of 1966 he married Mary Weeden, a fellow student at the university who was studying chemistry. After Oxford he landed a position as a professional fundraiser, and set out to become prime minister. At age 29, he became one of the youngest MPs in the history of the House of Commons when he became MP for Louth, Lincolnshire. Matthew Macfadyen  More stuff on Matthew Macfadyen with thanks to Wickepedia.  Matthew Macfadyen (born October 17, 1974) is a British actor, best known for his role as MI5 agent Tom Quinn in the BBC television drama series Spooks and for starring as Fitzwilliam Darcy in the 2005 film version of Pride and Prejudice. After having studied at the renowned Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts from 1992 to 1995, Macfadyen quickly became a well-known actor on the British stage, due primarily to his work with the stage company Cheek by Jowl, for whom he played Antonio in The Duchess of Malfi, Charles Surface in The School for Scandal, and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing. His Benedick was particularly memorable, played as an officer-class buffoon with a moustache and a braying laugh. In 2005, he played to further great acclaim the part of Prince Hal in Henry IV, Parts One and Two at the Royal National Theatre, with Michael Gambon in the lead. He has recently accepted to portray Clay, a stay at home father with a liberal attitude in the play The Pain and the Itch. It opens on June 21 and will be running until July 21, 2007. Macfadyen's major TV breakthrough came when he appeared as Hareton Earnshaw in a television adaptation of the Emily Brontë novel Wuthering Heights, screened on the ITV network in 1998. Further television drama work followed, including starring roles in the dramas Warriors (1999) and The Way We Live Now (2001), both for the BBC. Also in 2001, he earned much critical acclaim for his starring role in the BBC Two drama serial Perfect Strangers, which was written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff. In 2002 he starred in The Project, a BBC drama charting New Labour's rise to power. Also in 2002, he took his highest-profile role to date, when he was picked to star in Spooks, which went on to become a huge popular and critical success when screened on BBC One. A longer second season was screened in 2003, and a third season was broadcast in the autumn of 2004, with Macfayden leaving the series in the second episode. The series also found a following on cable television in the United States, where it aired as MI-5 on the A&E Network. One of his most recent projects is a television movie called Secret Life (2007) which deals with the controversial subject of paedophilia. It started filming in October 2006 and is scheduled to be shown on Channel 4 on April 19 [1]. He also appeared in a short sketch for Comic Relief as the groom in "Mr Bean's Wedding", alongside Rowan Atkinson and Michelle Ryan. Macfadyen has also appeared in several films, most notably Enigma (released in 2001), in which he was cast as a battle-scarred submarine commander, and the starring role as Fitzwilliam Darcy in a highly acclaimed adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, released in the UK in September 2005. Later this year he will star in Frank Oz's "Death At A Funeral" with Rupert Graves, Alan Tudyk, Daisy Donovan, and his Spooks co-star Keeley Hawes. He has also accepted a part in Incendiary, which is based off Chris Cleave's novel about a woman whose life is torn apart when her husband and infant son are killed in a suicide bombing at a soccer match. Her trauma is intensified by the fact that she was committing adultery at the time. Macfadyen a senior anti-terrorist police officer alongside Michelle Williams and Ewan Mcgregor In 2003, he began a relationship with Keeley Hawes. They were married on 8 October 2004. Their first child, daughter Maggie, was born in December 2004. Macfadyen is stepfather to Hawes' son, Myles (b. 2000), from a previous marriage. The couple announced the birth of a baby boy, Ralph, in September 2006. A peculiar fact about Mathew is he is this websites most popular celebrity searched on the internet. Whilst this is not odd in its own right it is strange that most of the searches for him are for Matthew Macfayden and not for the correctly spelt - Matthew Macfadyen ! Lincolnshire Information   SITE MAP