People of Harwich
Discover our notable inhabitants
Harwich town has been home to many notable inhabitants across the years
Christopher Newport
(1561–1617)
Seaman and privateer, captain of the expedition that founded Jamestown, Virginia
Christopher Jones
c.1570–1622
Captain of the 1620 voyage of the Pilgrim ship Mayflower
Richard Leake
1629–1696
Master-gunner of England, son of Richard Leake, born at Harwich
Samuel Pepys
1633 – 1703
Administrator of the navy of England and Member of Parliament who is most famous for the diary that he kept for a decade
William Shearman
1767–1861
Physician and medical writer who gave annual lectures on the theory and practice of medicine
James Francillon
1802–1866
Barrister and legal writer, who was appointed judge and magistrate for the Gloucestershire district
Captain Charles Fryatt
1872–1916
Mariner executed by the Germans, brought back from Belgium and buried at Dovercourt
Peter Firmin
born 1928
Artist and puppet maker responsible for creating a number of popular children’s TV programmes, including The Clangers and Bagpuss
Randolph Stow
1935–2010
Reclusive, award-winning Australian-born writer who made his home in Harwich
