List of people from Ilfracombe

Ilfracombe is a town on the North Devon coast. This is a list of notable individuals who are associated with Ilfracombe in some way, listed alphabetically within categories.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Academics

• Thomas Harriot – the quintessential Renaissance Scholar, who in September 1607 observed a comet from Ilfracombe which would later be identified as Halley's Comet.

Actors/Actresses

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

Architects

• George Wightwick – designer of Watermouth Castle

Artists

• Damien Hirst – local patron, funder of the No 11 the Quay restaurant, also a new restaurant number 9 the Quay, and various properties and farms in the town
• Frank McEwen – Founder and Director of National Gallery of Rhodesia. Retired to Ilfracombe before his death.
• George Shaw – Turner prize shortlisted, artist has studio on Ilfracombe High St

Explorers

• Thomas Stukley – an English adventurer who served in combat in France, Ireland, and at the Battle of Lepanto, raised the son of Sir Hugh Stucley, of Afheton, near Ilfracombe
• James Bowen (1751–1835) – British naval officer and commissioner of the Royal Navy, was master of HMS Queen Charlotte at the Glorious First of June. Captained many R N first ships of the line, incl HMS Dreadnought, HMS Argot, nicknamed "Defender of Madeira". Rose through ranks to become rear-admiral, commanded fleet which rescued the British army from Corunna during the Napoleonic war.
• Richard Bowen (1761–1797) – British naval officer, brother of Rear-Admiral James Bowen. He served with Lord Nelson and whilst standing next to Admiral Nelson was killed during the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
• John Bowen (1780–1823) – a naval officer and colonial administrator born in Ilfracombe 1780, founded first British settlement of Tasmania 1803 at Risdon cove (renamed Hobart), died Ilfracombe 1827. Married the niece of the Duchess of Clarence.
• Captain John Richards Lapenotière (1770–19 January 1834) – born in Ilfracombe, was a British Royal Navy officer who, as a young lieutenant commanding the tiny topsail schooner HMS Pickle, observed the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805, participated in the rescue operations which followed it and then carried the dispatches of the victory and the death of Admiral Nelson to Britain.

Journalists and broadcasters

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

Musicians

• John Gardner – composer

Politicians

• Anna Catherine Parnell – Irish nationalist who drowned in the town; sister of Charles Stewart Parnell

Sportsmen/women

• Jonathan Edwards – world champion triple jump athlete, whose father was the vicar at "Pip and Jim's" church.
• Jason Twist – two times world champion at eight ball pool.

Writers

• Robert Freke Gould (1836-1915) – soldier, barrister and historian of Freemasonry
• Emily Francis Strong – British amateur author and art historian, popular writer on art, particularly French, born in Ilfracombe in 1840.
• Henry Williamson (1 December 1895 – 13 August 1977) – prolific English author known for his natural and social history novels. He lived in a small cottage in the town.
• Coulson Kernahan (1858–1943) – English novelist born at Ilfracombe.
• James Allen (28 November 1864 – 1912) – writer of inspirational books and poetry. At age 38, he retired from employment and he and his wife moved to a small cottage in Ilfracombe to pursue a simple life of contemplation. There he wrote for 9 years producing over 20 works.
• Philip James Bailey (22 April 1816 – 6 September 1902) – Ilfracombe was once home to this English poet and author of Festus.
• Lady Emilia Frances Strong Dilke (1840–1904) – English author, born at Ilfracombe. She became a contributor to the Saturday Review in 1864 and subsequently was for many years fine-art critic of the Academy.