This is a list of people associated with Northampton, a town in the East Midlands region of England. The demonym of Northampton is Northamptonian. The list is arranged alphabetically by surname.
George Baker (1781–1851), topographer and historian, was born in the town
Bauhaus (1978–1983, 1998, 2005–2008, 2019-present)), a gothic rock band, formed in Northampton
Henry Bird (15 July 1909 – 16 April 2000), an English artist from Northampton who painted murals and female nudes
Margaret Bondfield (1873–1953), Labour MP for Northampton in 1923, first female Cabinet minister in the UK and one of the first three female Labour MPs
VV Brown (born 1983), recording artist, born in Northampton
Charles Bradlaugh, politician, MP during some the Victorian period, refused to take a religious oath when elected, so his seat was refused. Led to the Bradlaugh riots with several by-elections. Outcome was the Affirmation.
John Clare (1793–1864), poet, was detained in Northampton County Lunatic Asylum, now St Andrew's Hospital, where he died
Ben Cohen (born 1978), activist and former England rugby union international player who began his career with Northampton Saints in 1996.
Richard Coles (born 1962), musician, journalist and openly gay Church of England priest, was born in Northampton and lives in the area.
Maureen Colquhoun (born 1928), Labour MP for Northampton North in 1974 was the UK's first openly lesbian MP.
Andrew Collins (born 1965), journalist and broadcaster, grew up in the town and wrote about it in his memoir Where Did It All Go Right?.
Francis Crick (1916–2004), Nobel Prize winner, molecular biologist, biophysicist, neuroscientist. Noted as a co-discoverer of the structure of the DNA molecule in 1953 with James D. Watson, was born in the town. In December 2005, a public sculpture, Discovery by Lucy Glendinning, was erected in Abington Street as a memorial.[4] See also: Francis Crick Institute
Michael Crick (born 1958) journalist, author, broadcaster, and founding member of Channel 4 News Team in 1982
Alistair Fruish, a writer, novelist and filmmaker, was born and lives in Northampton.[7]
G
Violet Gibson (1876–1956), best known for trying to assassinate Benito Mussolini in 1926, spent the rest of her days in St Andrews Hospital and was buried in Kingsthorpe.
Ray Gosling (1939–2013), journalist, author, broadcaster and gay rights activist, was educated at what is now Northampton School for Boys
Robert Goodman (born 1955), actor, attended Headlands primary and Weston Favell upper school.
Maps (born ), Northampton-based Mercury-nominated musician
Medium 21 (1999–2004), alternative rock band, formed at Northampton College
Tim Minchin (born 1975), comedian, actor and musician, was born in Northampton.
Edgar Mobbs DSO (1882–1917), rugby union footballer played for and captained Northampton R.F.C. and England; Lieutenant Colonel, Northamptonshire Regiment, killed in action during the Third Battle of Ypres.
Derek Redmond (born 1965), Olympic runner, was born and raised here and attended Roade Comprehensive School, now the Elizabeth Woodville School, where the sports hall is named after him.
Edmund Rubbra (1901–1986), composer, was born in Semilong.
Graeme Swann (born 1979), cricketer born in Northampton, played for Northamptonshire County Cricket Club in 1998–2004 before moving to Nottinghamshire. He also a former England player in all three formats of the game between 2000 and 2013.
T
Faye Tozer (born 1975), singer from pop group Steps, was born in Northampton.
Walter Tull (1888–1918), a Northampton Town FC player who became Britain's first black army officer in the First World War
U
Michael Underwood (born 1975), TV presenter, lives in the town, having attended what is now Weston Favell Academy.
W
Joan Wake (1884–1974), born at Courteenhall, was a historian of Northamptonshire, who played a major role in saving Delapre Abbey from destruction.
Lawrence Washington (1602–1653), rector and an ancestor of the first US President George Washington, was born at Sulgrave Manor, 12 miles south-west of Northampton. Lawrence's great-grandfather, Lawrence Washington (c. 1500–1583), who purchased Sulgrave Manor from Henry VIII, was Mayor of Northampton in 1532 and 1545.
Robert Woodford (1606–1654), who served as Steward of Northampton from 1635 onwards, is best known as the author of an extensive diary for the period 1637–1641.
