List of people from Cardiff

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey at Wembley Arena, 2006

Cardiff (/ˈkɑːrdɪf/ ; Welsh: Caerdydd Welsh pronunciation: [kairˈdiːð, kaˑɨrˈdɨːð]) is the capital and largest city of Wales. Many notable people were born in Cardiff or share a strong association with the city, ranging from historical figures such as Henry Morgan to more recent figures such as Roald Dahl, Ken Follett and Griff Rhys Jones. In particular, the city has been the birthplace of international sportsmen and women, including Olympic athletes such as Paulo Radmilovic, Tanni Grey-Thompson and Colin Jackson. Many professional and international footballers, such as Craig Bellamy, Gareth Bale, Ryan Giggs and Joe Ledley, and former managers of the Wales national football team Terry Yorath and John Toshack were born in Cardiff, as were a number of international rugby union and rugby league players including Frank Whitcombe, Billy Boston, Gareth Llewellyn and Colin Dixon.

Cardiff is also well known for its musicians such as Ivor Novello, after whom the Ivor Novello Awards are named. Shirley Bassey is familiar to many as the singer of three James Bond movie theme tunes, while Charlotte Church is famous as a crossover classical/pop singer, and Shakin' Stevens was one of the top selling male artists in the UK during the 1980s. A number of Cardiff-based bands, such as Catatonia and the Super Furry Animals, were popular during the 1990s.

A man wearing a white smock working on a painting
Goscombe John
Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl
Gwyneth Lewis
Gwyneth Lewis
Name Born Died Description Connection with Cardiff Ref
Danny Abse 1923 2014 Poet and writer Born in Cardiff [1]
Trezza Azzopardi 1961 Novelist Born in Cardiff [2]
Gillian Clarke 1937 Poet, was named the third National Poet of Wales in 2008 Born in Cardiff [3]
Roald Dahl 1916 1990 Author of works such as James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches, Fantastic Mr Fox and The BFG Born in Llandaff, Cardiff [4]
Peter Finch 1947 Poet, author of works such as Real Cardiff, Real Wales, Edging The Estuary, and Zen Cymru Born in Cardiff [5]
Ken Follett 1949 Author of works such as The Key to Rebecca, Lie Down with Lions, Triple, and World Without End Born in Cardiff [6]
Esther Grainger 1912 1990 Artist Born in Cardiff [7]
Goscombe John 1860 1952 Sculptor, specialising in public monuments and statues of public figures Born in Canton, Cardiff [8]
Bobi Jones 1929 Welsh language academic and writer, former chair in Welsh language at Aberystwyth University Born in Cardiff [9]
Rob Lacey 1962 2006 Actor and author of The Word on the Street Born in Cardiff [10]
Gwyneth Lewis 1959 First National Poet of Wales, wrote the words which appear on the front elevation of the Wales Millennium Centre Born in Cardiff [11]
Helen Mackay 1897 1973 Artist, sculptor Born in Cardiff [12]
Brian Morris 1930 2001 Poet, critic, professor of literature, and former education spokesman in the House of Lords Born in Cardiff [13]
Robert Morton Nance 1873 1959 Cornish language author Born in Cardiff [14]
Pixie O'Harris 1903 1991 Poet, author, broadcaster, artist, illustrator and designer Born in Cardiff [15]
Joan Oxland 1920 2009 Artist Born and lived in Cardiff [16][7]
Michael Raven 1938 2008 Author Born in Cardiff [17]
Bernice Rubens 1928 2004 Author of works such as Madame Sousatzka, The Elected Member (winner of the 1970 Booker Prize) and A Solitary Grief Born in Cardiff [18]
Norena Shopland Author Born in Cardiff [19]
Alfred Sisley 1839 1899 Impressionist painter: one of the original French Impressionists, though he himself was British; produced seventeen paintings of Penarth and the Gower in 1897 Married in Cardiff Register Office in 1897; two of his Welsh paintings are in the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff [20]
Howard Spring 1889 1965 Author of works such as Fame Is the Spur and My Son, My Son! Born in Cardiff [21]
Thomas E. Stephens 1886 1966 Painter, specialising in portraits of American political and military figures such as Dwight D. Eisenhower Born in Cardiff [22]
R. S. Thomas 1913 2000 Poet, nominated for the 1995 Nobel Prize for Literature Born in Cardiff [23]
Margaret Lindsay Williams 1888 1960 Portrait painter Born in Cardiff [24]
D. B. Wyndham-Lewis 1891 1969 Writer, biographer and editor, co-wrote the screenplay for The Man Who Knew Too Much Lived in Cardiff since childhood [25]

Business and finance

Name Born Died Description Connection with Cardiff Ref
Lewis Lougher 1871 1955 Established his own shipping company, became chairman of a large number of shipping companies in Cardiff, Penarth and Barry, chairman of the federation of Bristol Channel shipowners, and chairman of the Cardiff Chamber of Trade; former Member of Parliament for Cardiff East and Cardiff Central Born in Llandaff, Cardiff [26]
Michael Moritz 1954 Venture capitalist and former director of Google Born in Cardiff [27]
Howard Stringer 1942 Chairman and former president and CEO of Sony Corporation Born in Cardiff [28]
Christopher J. Yorath 1879 1932 Engineer, urban planner, president of three Canadian utility companies Lived in Cardiff since childhood [29]

Entertainment

Griff Rhys Jones
Griff Rhys Jones
Gethin Jones
Gethin Jones
Iwan Rheon
Iwan Rheon
Name Born Died Description Connection with Cardiff Ref
Peter Baynham 1963 Screenwriter and comedy writer, was involved in works such as I'm Alan Partridge, Brass Eye, Monkey Dust, and Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan Born in Cardiff [30]
Emily Burnett 1997 Television and stage actress who has appeared in The Dumping Ground, So Awkward and Hollyoaks Born in Cardiff [31]
Shirley Dynevor 1933 2023 Actress who has appeared in Charlesworth, Rogue Male and The Wednesday Play Born in Cardiff [32]
Helen M. Grace 1974 Film director and screenwriter, directed Are You Ready for Love? Born in Cardiff [33]
Lauren Harries 1978 Television celebrity, first appeared on Wogan in 1988 Lived in Cardiff since early childhood [34]
Polly James 1986/7 Radio and TV presenter Born in Cardiff [35]
Gethin Jones 1978 Television and radio presenter, presented Blue Peter from 2005 to 2008 Born in Cardiff [36]
Richard Marquand 1938 1987 Film director, involved in works such as Return of the Jedi, Jagged Edge and Hearts of Fire Born in Llanishen, Cardiff [37]
Terry Nation 1930 1997 Television scriptwriter, creator of the Daleks Born in Cardiff [38]
Robin Nedwell 1946 1999 Film, television and stage actor, involved in works such as Doctor in the House, The Tragedy of Macbeth and The Vault of Horror Lived in Cardiff since childhood [39]
Tessie O'Shea 1914 1995 Stage actress and entertainer, involved in works such as The Girl Who Came to Supper, The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming and Bedknobs and Broomsticks Born in Cardiff [40]
Peter Philp 1920 2006 Television presenter, dramatist and antiques expert, wrote Castle of Deception Born in Cardiff [41]
Mathew Pritchard 1973 Professional skateboarder, part of the Dirty Sanchez crew, made regular appearances on Balls of Steel Born in Cardiff [42]
Angharad Rees 1949 2012 Film, stage and television actress, involved in works such as Poldark, The Gathering Storm, The Avengers and Under Milk Wood Lived in Cardiff since childhood [43]
Iwan Rheon 1985 Film and television actor, singer-songwriter, involved in works such as Pobol y Cwm, Misfits and Game of Thrones Lived in Cardiff since childhood [44]
Matthew Rhys 1974 Film and television actor, involved in works such as Brothers & Sisters, The Edge of Love and The Americans Born in Cardiff [45]
Griff Rhys Jones 1953 Comedian, writer and actor, involved in works such as Not the Nine O'Clock News, Alas Smith and Jones and Morons from Outer Space Born in Cardiff [46]
Lisa Rogers 1971 Television presenter, involved in works such as The Big Breakfast, Scrapheap Challenge and Loose Women Born in Cardiff [47]
Stan Stennett 1925 2013 Comedian, actor and jazz musician, involved in works such as Coronation Street, Crossroads and Casualty Born in Cardiff [48]
Honeysuckle Weeks 1979 Television actress, involved in works such as Midsomer Murders, Foyle's War and The Inspector Lynley Mysteries Born in Cardiff [49]
Perdita Weeks 1985 Television and film actress, involved in works such as Spice World, The Prince and the Pauper and The Tudors Born in Cardiff [50]
Clifford Williams 1926 2005 Stage actor and director, involved in works such as The Duchess of Malfi, As You Like It and Antony and Cleopatra Born in Cardiff [51]
Peter Wingfield 1962 Film and television actor, best known for his role as Methos in Highlander: The Series Born in Grangetown, Cardiff [52]

Historical figures

Name Born Died Description Connection with Cardiff Ref
Anne de Beauchamp 1444 1449 15th Countess of Warwick Born in Cardiff [53]
Henry Morgan c. 1635 1684 Pirate and Admiral of the English Navy Born in Caerau, Cardiff [54]
Archibald Dickson 1892 1939 Captain of the SS Stanbrook Born in Caerau, Cardiff [55]

Journalism

Jon Ronson
Name Born Died Description Connection with Cardiff Ref
Stephen Bayley 1951 Author and critic for The Observer, GQ and Car Magazine Born in Cardiff [56]
Jeremy Bowen 1960 Journalist and television presenter, Middle East Editor for the BBC since 2005 Born in Cardiff [57]
Lynn Bowles 1963 Radio reporter for BBC Radio 2 Born in Splott, Cardiff [58]
Hugh Cudlipp 1913 1998 Newspaper journalist, former chairman of Mirror Group Newspapers Born in Cathays, Cardiff [59]
Guto Harri 1966 Former television news correspondent for S4C and BBC Wales, Director of Communications at News International since May 2012 Born in Cardiff [60]
John Humphrys 1943 Television and radio presenter, journalist, main presenter for the BBC's Nine O'Clock News from 1981 to 1987 Born in Splott, Cardiff [61]
Hugh Johns 1922 2007 Football commentator for ITV and HTV Wales, commentated on four World Cup finals including the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final Lived in Cardiff from childhood [62]
Jason Mohammad 1975 Television and radio presenter of BBC Wales Today and BBC Radio Wales Born in Cardiff [63]
Chris Morgan 1952 2008 Television and newspaper journalist for BBC Wales, BBC Radio 4, Thames News and The Sunday Times Born in Cardiff [64]
Lucy Owen 1970 Television presenter for HTV Wales, ITV News and BBC News Born in Llandaff, Cardiff [65]
Jon Ronson 1967 Documentary journalist, author of Them: Adventures with Extremists and The Men Who Stare at Goats, film maker and radio presenter Born in Cardiff [66]

Military

Thomas Matthews
Thomas Matthews
Name Born Died Description Connection with Cardiff Ref
Frederick Barter 1891 1952 Served in World War I with the Royal Welch Fusiliers, recipient of the Victoria Cross Born in Cardiff [67]
Mick Flynn 1960 Served with the Blues and Royals in Northern Ireland, the Falklands War, the Bosnian War, the Second Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan, recipient of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross and the Military Cross Born in Cardiff [68]
Jeff Linton 1909 1989 Served with the Royal Artillery in World War II, attained the rank of Brigadier, recipient of the Distinguished Service Order; played cricket for Glamorgan and Egypt as a right-arm medium-fast bowler Born in Llandaff, Cardiff [69]
Thomas Mathews 1676 1751 Admiral of the Royal Navy, served in the Caribbean, Queen Anne's War, the East Indies, the War of the Quadruple Alliance and the War of the Austrian Succession Born in Llandaff, Cardiff [70]
Robert Shields 1827 1864 Served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers in the Crimean War, recipient of the Victoria Cross Born in Cardiff

Music

Performers

Charlotte Church
Charlotte Church
Cerys Matthews
Cerys Matthews
Ivor Novello
Ivor Novello
Name Born Died Description Connection with Cardiff Ref
Shirley Bassey 1937 Singer of works such as "Goldfinger", "Big Spender" and "Diamonds Are Forever" Born in Tiger Bay, Cardiff [71]
Andy Bell 1970 Singer-songwriter, member of Oasis, Ride, Hurricane No. 1 and Beady Eye Born in Cardiff [72]
Wally Bishop 1894 1966 Band leader and impresario, commonly known by the stage name Waldini Born in Cardiff [73]
Charlotte Church 1986 Classical and pop singer of works such as Voice of an Angel, "The Opera Song (Brave New World)" and "Crazy Chick", presenter of The Charlotte Church Show Born in Llandaff, Cardiff [74]
Steffan Cravos 1975 Welsh-language rapper, member of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci Born in Cardiff [75]
Sonny Double 1 1992 Rapper Born in Cardiff [76]
Dave Edmunds 1944 Singer and record producer, member of Love Sculpture, Rockpile and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band Born in Cardiff [77]
Dyfed Wyn-Evans 1969 Baritone opera singer, has performed for companies such as the Welsh National Opera, English National Opera, English Touring Opera and Opera North Born in Cardiff [78]
Maureen Evans 1940 Singer with Waldini's (real name Wallace ' Wally ' Bishop) Gypsy Band, performed works such as "The Big Hurt" and "Like I Do" Born in Cardiff [79]
Patti Flynn 1937 2020 Jazz singer Born in Cardiff [80]
Green Gartside 1955 Singer-songwriter, lead singer of Scritti Politti Born in Cardiff [81]
Frank Hennessy 1947 Folk singer, member of The Hennessys and radio presenter on BBC Radio Wales Born in Cardiff [82]
Paul Carey Jones 1974 Baritone opera singer, has performed for companies such as the Scottish Opera and Northern Ireland Opera, and has been involved in works such as Man on the Moon, The Lighthouse and Nixon in China Born in Cardiff [83]
Donna Lewis 1973 Pop singer, performed works such as Now in a Minute, "I Love You Always Forever" and "At the Beginning" Born in Cardiff [84]
Cerys Matthews 1969 Singer-songwriter, lead singer of Catatonia, performed works such as "Mulder and Scully", "The Ballad of Tom Jones" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside" Born in Cardiff [85]
Clara Novello Davies 1861 1943 Singer, teacher and conductor, mother of Ivor Novello Born in Cardiff [86]
Ivor Novello 1893 1951 Composer, singer and actor, after whom the Ivor Novello Awards are named Born in Cardiff [87]
Idloes Owen 1894 1954 Singer, composer and conductor, founder of the Welsh National Opera Based in Llandaff, Cardiff [88]
Pino Palladino 1957 Bass guitarist with The Who Born in Cardiff [89]
Shakin' Stevens 1948 Rock and roll singer and songwriter, performed works such as "This Ole House", "Green Door" and "Merry Christmas Everyone" Born in Ely, Cardiff [90]
Noel Sullivan 1980 Pop singer and stage actor, member of Hear'Say Born in Cardiff [91]
Pepsi Tate 1965 2007 Bass guitarist with Tigertailz, and television director Lived and worked in Cardiff [92]
Blue Weaver 1947 Keyboard player with Amen Corner, Fair Weather and Strawbs, songwriter and record producer Born in Cardiff [93]

Bands

Super Furry Animals
Super Furry Animals
Underworld
Name Formed Disbanded Description Connection with Cardiff Ref
Amen Corner 1966 1969 Rock band, performed works such as "Gin House Blues", "Bend Me, Shape Me" and "(If Paradise Is) Half as Nice" Formed in Cardiff [94]
Budgie 1967 Hard rock / heavy metal band, produced works such as "Breadfan" Formed in Cardiff [95]
Catatonia 1992 2001 Alternative rock band, produced works such as "Mulder and Scully", "Road Rage" and "Dead from The Waist Down" Formed in Cardiff [96]
Future of the Left 2005 Post-hardcore rock band, produced works such as Last Night I Saved Her From Vampires and The Plot Against Common Sense Formed in Cardiff [97]
Kids in Glass Houses 2003 2014 Rock band, produced works such as Dirt and In Gold Blood Formed in Cardiff [98]
Love Sculpture 1966 1970 Blues-rock band, produced works such as "Summertime", "Wang Dang Doodle" and "Sabre Dance" Formed in Cardiff [99]
Los Campesinos! 2006 Indie-pop band, produced works such as Romance Is Boring and Hello Sadness Formed at Cardiff University [100]
Super Furry Animals 1993 Psychedelic rock band, produced works such as "If You Don't Want Me to Destroy You", "The Man Don't Give a Fuck" and "Northern Lites" Formed in Cardiff [101]
The Hennessys 1967 Folk music band Formed in Cardiff [102]
The Hot Puppies 2000 Rock group, produced works such as Under the Crooked Moon Based in Cardiff [103]
The Oppressed 1981 Oi! anti-fascist band Formed in Cardiff [104]
Underworld 1980 Electronic / trance band, produced works such as "Born Slippy", "Pearl's Girl" and "Caliban's Dream" Formed in Cardiff [105]

Politics and law

Rhodri Morgan
Rhodri Morgan
Name Born Died Description Connection with Cardiff Ref
Leo Abse 1917 2008 Former Member of Parliament for Pontypool and Torfaen, noted for promoting private member's bills to decriminalise male homosexual relations and liberalise the divorce laws Born in Cardiff [106]
Celia Barlow 1955 Former Member of Parliament for Hove Born in Cardiff [107]
Donald Box 1917 1993 Stockbroker and former Member of Parliament for Cardiff North Born in Cardiff [108]
Stephen Doughty 1980 Former member of male a cappella group Out of the Blue, Member of Parliament for Cardiff South and Penarth since 2012 Born in Llandaff, Cardiff [109]
Maurice Edelman 1911 1975 Novelist and former Member of Parliament for Coventry West and Coventry North West Born in Cardiff [110]
Seymour Farmer 1878 1951 30th Mayor of Winnipeg, Canada and leader of the Manitoba Co-operative Commonwealth Federation from 1936 to 1947 Born in Cardiff
Paul Flynn 1935 Member of Parliament for Newport West since 1987 Born in Cardiff [111]
Cheryl Gillan 1952 Member of Parliament for Chesham and Amersham since 1992 Born in Llandaff, Cardiff [112]
Meredydd Hughes 1958 Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police from 2004 to 2011 Born in Cardiff [113]
Greville Janner 1928 2015 British Labour Party politician, writer and alleged child abuser Born in Cardiff [114]
Jonathan Morgan 1974 Former Assembly Member for Cardiff North Born in Tongwynlais, Cardiff [115]
Julie Morgan 1944 Former Member of Parliament for Cardiff North, and Member of the Senedd for Cardiff North since 2011 Born in Cardiff [116]
Rhodri Morgan 1939 2017 Former First Minister for Wales, leader of Welsh Labour, Assembly Member for Cardiff West and Member of Parliament for Cardiff West Born in Cardiff [117]
Edward V. Robertson 1881 1963 Former United States Senator for Wyoming Born in Cardiff [118]
Alfred Thomas 1840 1927 Former Member of Parliament for East Glamorganshire Born in Penylan, Cardiff [119]
Owen John Thomas 1939 Former Assembly Member for South Wales Central Born in Roath, Cardiff [120]

Religion

Brian David Josephson
Brian David Josephson
Name Born Died Description Connection with Cardiff Ref
Martyn Lloyd-Jones 1899 1981 Protestant Christian minister, influential in the Reformed wing of the British evangelical movement in the 20th century Born in Cardiff [121]
Roger Royle 1939 Anglican vicar, presenter of the Sunday Half Hour on BBC Radio 2 between 1991 and 2007 Born in Splott, Cardiff [122]

Science, technology and medicine

Sport

References

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