#1Science & Medicine
James Cook
1728–1779British explorer, cartographer and naval officer (1728–1779)
186 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
Famous people · Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
Of the 365 famous people born in Middlesbrough, none is better known than James Cook
James Cook has articles in 186 languages. The English male singer-songwriter and guitarist Chris Rea ranks second, ahead of Stewart Downing. Among the 108 towns in North Yorkshire with famous people on record, the town ranks 2nd. In the 20th century, 173 were born, the most of any period.
Born here
365
notable people
Best known
James Cook
in 186 Wikipedia languages
First
1728
James Cook
Youngest
2003
Max Johnston
Most common field
Sports
247 people
What stands out about Middlesbrough’s famous people
★ What stands out · The best known
Born in Middlesbrough
Languages with an article: 186 for James Cook, 61 for Chris Rea, 49 for Stewart Downing.
#1
#2Music
Chris Rea
1951–2025English male singer-songwriter and guitarist (1951–2025)
61 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
#3Sports
Stewart Downing
born 1984English association football player (born 1984)
49 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
Through the years
When Middlesbrough’s famous people were born
The 1980s alone account for 58 of the births charted here.
SportsFilm, TV & StageWriting & ArtsPolitics & LawScience & MedicineMusicNotableMilitaryBusinessFaith
Each dot is a person, stacked by the decade they were born.
Known for
What Middlesbrough is known for
The field furthest above the usual share is athletes, at 1.4 times.
The usual town: the share across everyone listed across UK towns. Tap a field to see its people.
Everyone
Everyone else born in Middlesbrough
362 more; the 197 best known are listed here.
Aimee Willmott
born 1993British swimmer, Olympic athlete, Commonwealth Games silver medallist
SportsWikipedia ↗
Ann Jellicoe
1927–2017British actress, theatre director and playwright (1927-2017)
Film, TV & StageWikipedia ↗
Herbert McCabe
1926–2001English-born Irish Dominican priest, theologian and philosopher (1926-2001)
FaithWikipedia ↗
Jonathan Putra
born 1982Malaysian male actress, host, model dan musician born United Kingdom (born 1982)
Film, TV & StageWikipedia ↗
Iolo Aneurin Williams
1890–1962British journalist, author, art historian and botanist (1890–1962)
Writing & ArtsWikipedia ↗
William Buckley
1780–1856English convict who was transported to Australia and then escaped
MilitaryWikipedia ↗
Roland Carl Backhouse
born 1948British computer scientist and mathematician
Science & MedicineWikipedia ↗
No one matches both filters.
Next door
Famous people from the towns next door
The longest list nearby is Stockton-on-Tees’, with 219.
Stockton-on-Tees · 5 miColin Renfrew & 218 more
Eston · 3 miPaul Daniels & 36 more
Guisborough · 7 miJohn Gilbert Baker & 26 more
Billingham · 5 miJamie Bell & 24 more
Egglescliffe · 6 miCec Parkin & 3 more
Great Ayton · 5 miCharlie Tanfield & 1 moreARStokesley · 5 miAlf Rowland & 1 moreNTIngleby Barwick · 4 miNathan ThomasQuestions about famous people from Middlesbrough
Who is the most famous person from Middlesbrough?
James Cook (British explorer, cartographer and naval officer (1728–1779)) is the best known by our measure: Wikipedia has an article about them in 186 languages. Next come Chris Rea and Stewart Downing.
How many famous people were born in Middlesbrough?
365 people born in Middlesbrough have an English Wikipedia article that confirms the town as their birthplace. Wikidata places 400 people here; the rest aren’t listed because their article names somewhere else, or no town.
What is Middlesbrough known for?
Among its famous people, athletes: 247 of the 365. That is 68% of the town’s list, against 49% across UK towns.
Who is the earliest-born famous person from Middlesbrough?
James Cook, born in 1728. The youngest on the list was born in 2003.
Who counts as from Middlesbrough?
People Wikidata records as born in a place inside Middlesbrough’s built-up area (the ONS 2022 boundary), a hospital or district within it included, whose English Wikipedia article agrees. People who only lived here, adult performers and people known mainly for crimes aren’t listed.
Why is someone missing?
Their Wikidata birthplace may be a bigger area (“London”), another town, or missing, or their article may give no birthplace. We only list people both sources agree on; editing Wikidata or Wikipedia changes this page at the next refresh.
From Wikidata (CC0: birthplaces, descriptions, years, occupations) and English Wikipedia (each person’s article confirms the birthplace; linked, not quoted). Birthplaces are placed in the town by the ONS 2022 built-up-area boundary (Office for National Statistics, Open Government Licence v3.0). Ranked by how many Wikipedia languages cover each person. Fields are read from Wikidata’s description and occupations. “The usual town”: everyone listed across UK towns. Portraits: each person’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (93)
- James Cook: Nathaniel Dance-Holland, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Chris Rea: Andrzej Barabasz (Chepry), CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Stewart Downing: Egghead06, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Brian Clough: Hans van Dijk for Anefo, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- James Arthur: Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Jonathan Woodgate: Jake from Manchester, UK, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Paul Rodgers: Thomas Steffan by using Olympus Camedia C700, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Don Revie: Jake, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Matt Jarvis: Egghead06, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Jonathan Hogg: Jon Candy, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Ben Gibson: Mattythewhite, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Wendy Richard: Steve Bowbrick, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Wilf Mannion: Chemical Engineer, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Chris Tomlinson: Yann Caradec from Paris, France, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Greg Clark: Chris McAndrew, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Robbie Blake: Hrse12, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Amelia Lily: flicky T, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Dael Fry: Paul Hudson, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Micky Moody: Jenn Jinhong, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Monica Dolan: Patrick.suechan, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Pete Trewavas: Stefan Brending (2eight), CC BY-SA 3.0 de, Wikimedia Commons
- Chris Corner: Chris_Corner_at_IAMX_Autograph_Session_in_Munich_2009.jpg: negotiable_me derivative work: Beao, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Richard Ripley: Agence Rol, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Sarah Borwell: Robbie Mendelson, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Aimee Willmott: BritishSwimming, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Connor Ripley: Catherine Kõrtsmik, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Curtis Edwards: Jens Backeman, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Mike Dunn: Benutzer:Bill da Flute, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Pete York: Afrank99, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Jamie Parker: The Tony Awards, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Jordan Hugill: Preston North End F.C., CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Liam Plunkett: Strength & Conditioning Education, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Paul Drinkhall: Shaan Sharma, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Jacob Young: David Woolfall, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Matt Renshaw: Blue Square Thing, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Preeti Desai: Preeti Desai, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Andy McDonald: Chris McAndrew, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Caroline Johnson: Chris McAndrew, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Chris Old: Archives New Zealand, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Geoff Cook: Gautham Pillai, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- James Ha: Hoising, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Luke Williams: JAODonoghue, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Craig Farrell: Dashwortley at English Wikipedia, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Danny Johnson: Jon Candy from Cardiff, Wales, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Katie Rood: Original: James Boyes from UK / Derivative work: Danyele, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Mike Waters: Dawikicommonsaccount, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Stanley Hollis: CD1965, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Ben Everson: Mattythewhite, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- David Daniell: Nicola, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- David Shayler: Réseau Voltaire, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Glen Durrant: Sven Mandel, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Ian Turner: Ian_Turner_Coryton_Oil_Refinery_2006.jpg: Trevor John Faulkner derivative work: – Adrignola talk, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Jonathan Putra: Balthzaar, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Judith McKenna: Walmart, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Peter Gilchrist: Julian Lim from Singapore, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Sam Russell: Mattythewhite, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Stephen Walker: Paul W, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Adrian Warburton: Royal Air Force official photographer, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Bradley Fewster: Mattythewhite, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Charlie Wyke: Bradford City AFC, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Darren Williams: https://www.flickr.com/photos/vagueonthehow/, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- David McGurk: https://www.flickr.com/photos/carlf18/, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Harold Shepherdson: Bert Verhoeff for Anefo, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Joel Dixon: Poolie22, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- John Johnson: EchetusXe, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Kirsten O'Brien: Piers Allardyce, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Tom Blenkinsop: Office of Tom Blenkinsop MP, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- William Buckley: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Bob Mortimer: Marcus Liversedge, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Charles Duncan: AnonymousUnknown author, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Craig James: HTFC at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Dave Miller: 1953bloke, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Deana Uppal: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Gary Liddle: Bucomofo25, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- George Hedley: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Graeme Lee: JJ Hall from Peckham Rye, London, UK, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Henry Cook: Thebees1889, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Joe Tait: Tim Roberts, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Josephine Wratten: Lewisch88, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Kevin Dowd: Wikibéral - www.wikiberal.org, CC BY 1.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Peter Gibson: Richard Townshend, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Roland Carl Backhouse: photographer Noel Donaghey, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Sean Blowers: Graham Hopwood from BRADFORD, UK, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Andy Preston: 1985walshy, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Christian Hanson: Jimbo online at English Wikipedia, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Clive MacDonnell Dixon: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Dom Leech: Dave Morton, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Colin Renfrew: Portable Antiquities Scheme from London, England, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Paul Daniels: eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- John Gilbert Baker: Berthold Carl Seemann (1825-1871), Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Jamie Bell: Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Cec Parkin: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Charlie Tanfield: Nicola, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.