List of Aberdonians facts for kids

Aberdeen, a city in Scotland, has been home to many amazing and important people throughout history. From famous musicians and sports stars to clever scientists and brave soldiers, Aberdonians have made a big impact around the world. For example, Paul Lawrie, a golf champion, and the singer Annie Lennox are well-known today. But long ago, people like Thomas Blake Glover helped create big companies like Mitsubishi in Japan! This article will tell you about some of the most notable people from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Creative Minds: Architecture and Design

Many talented people from Aberdeen have shaped how buildings look and how clothes are designed.

• Ninian Comper (1864–1960) was an architect known for his beautiful church designs.
• Bill Gibb (1943–1988) was a famous fashion designer. He created unique and flowing clothes.
• James Gibbs (1682–1754) was an architect whose designs can be seen in many important buildings.
• Archibald Simpson (1790–1847) was an architect who designed many of Aberdeen's well-known buildings.
• John Smith (1781–1852) was another important architect from the area.

Brave Heroes: Armed Forces

Aberdeen has also produced many brave individuals who served in the armed forces. Some even received the highest awards for their courage.

• David Baird (1757–1829) was a soldier who served in many battles.
• James Brooke (1884–1914) received the Victoria Cross, a very high award for bravery.
• Robert Grierson Combe (1880–1917) also received the Victoria Cross for his courage.
• John Cruickshank (born 1920) is another recipient of the Victoria Cross.
• Marion Patterson (1911–1993) was awarded the George Medal for her bravery.
• John Rennie (1920–1943) received the George Cross after he died, for his amazing bravery during training.
• Archibald Bisset Smith (1878–1917) was also awarded the Victoria Cross.

Artistic Talents: Art and Sculpture

King Lear and the Fool in the Storm, a famous painting by William Dyce.

Artists from Aberdeen have created beautiful paintings, sculptures, and designs.

• John Macdonald Aiken (1880–1961) was a painter and also made stained-glass art.
• Johanna Basford (born 1983) is an illustrator and textile designer, known for her popular coloring books.
• Alexander Milne Calder (1846–1923) was a sculptor who created many impressive statues.
• William Dyce (1806–1864) was a famous artist known for his historical and religious paintings.
• George Jamesone (c. 1587–1644) is considered Scotland's first truly important artist.
• William Keith (1838–1911) was a landscape artist who painted beautiful natural scenes.
• Jennifer Lee (born 1956) is a Scottish ceramic artist, creating unique pots.
• James McBey (1883–1959) was an artist known for his etchings and watercolors.
• Alberto Morrocco (1917–1998) was a well-known artist and teacher.

Smart Thinkers: Business Leaders

Thomas Blake Glover, a Scottish merchant who became very important in Japan.

Aberdeen has produced many successful business people who have made a difference in trade and industry.

• William Black (1771–1866) was a Canadian shipper and merchant.
• Thomas Blake Glover (1838–1911) was a Scottish trader who became very important in Japan during the 1800s. He helped start companies that later became part of Mitsubishi.
• Robert Gordon (1668–1731) was a merchant and a philanthropist, meaning he gave money to help others.
• Stewart Milne (born 1950) is a businessman and was once the chairman of the Aberdeen Football Club.
• Sir Thomas Sutherland (1834–1922) was a Scottish banker and politician. He founded The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, which is now part of HSBC Group, and led the P&O shipping company.
• Ian Wood is a well-known businessman from Aberdeen.

Wordsmiths: Literature and Journalism

Many writers, poets, and journalists from Aberdeen have shared their stories and ideas with the world.

• Lord Byron (1788–1824) was a famous poet who spent part of his childhood in Aberdeen.
• Lewis Grassic Gibbon (1901–1935) was an author known for his novels about Scottish life.
• Richard Gordon (born 1960) is a popular presenter for BBC Radio Scotland.
• Angus Konstam (born 1960) is a writer and historian, often focusing on naval history.
• Iain Levison (born 1963) is a novelist and journalist.
• Lorna Moon (1886–1930) was an author and even wrote screenplays for movies.
• Nan Shepherd (1893–1981) was an author and poet, famous for her writing about the Scottish mountains.

Melody Makers: Music

The famous singer Annie Lennox.

Aberdeen has a rich musical history, with many talented singers, musicians, and composers.

• Connor Ball (born 1996) is the bassist for the popular British band, The Vamps.
• Yvie Burnett (born 1963) is an opera singer and a vocal coach, also known from TV.
• Evelyn Glennie (born 1965) is an amazing percussionist who is deaf but can feel the music.
• Mary Garden (1874–1967) was a famous opera singer.
• Annie Lennox (born 1954) is a world-renowned singer, famous for her powerful voice and unique style.
• Emeli Sandé (born 1987) is another very popular singer from the area.
• The Shamen was an electronic dance music band that started in Aberdeen.

Leaders and Lawmakers: Politics

People from Aberdeen have played important roles in politics, both in Scotland and around the world.

• Kirsty Blackman is an SNP Member of Parliament (MP) for Aberdeen North.
• Michael Gove (born 1967) is a Conservative MP and a government minister in the UK.
• Sir William MacGregor (1846–1919) was a doctor and explorer who became a governor in different parts of the British Empire.
• Nicol Stephen, Baron Stephen (born 1960) was once the Deputy First Minister of Scotland.
• Ross Thomson (born 1987) is a politician who was an MP for Aberdeen South.

Discoverers: Science and Medicine

Scientists and doctors from Aberdeen have made important discoveries and helped improve health.

• Sir Andrew Clark, 1st Baronet (1826–1893) was a well-known physician and pathologist.
• Sir David Gill (1843–1914) was a famous astronomer.
• James Gregory (1638–1675) was a brilliant astronomer and mathematician. He invented the Gregorian telescope.
• Wilson Jameson (1885–1962) was a physician who worked in public health.
• William MacGillivray (1796–1852) was a naturalist and ornithologist, studying birds and nature.
• Francis Masson (1741–1805) was a botanist who collected plants from around the world.
• Mary Pirie (1822–1855) was a botanist and entomologist, studying plants and insects.

Athletic Stars: Sports

Aberdeen has a strong tradition of producing amazing athletes in many different sports.

• Russell Anderson (born 1978) is a well-known footballer.
• Tim Baillie (born 1979) won a gold medal in canoeing at the 2012 Olympics.
• Ian Black (born 1941) is a famous swimmer.
• David Carry (born 1981) won a gold medal in swimming at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
• Neil Fachie (born 1984) won a gold medal in cycling at the 2012 Paralympics.
• John Hewitt (born 1963) scored the winning goal in the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup for Aberdeen FC.
• Denis Law (born 1940) is a legendary footballer, one of Scotland's greatest.
• Paul Lawrie (born 1969) is a famous golfer who won The Open Championship.
• Shaun Maloney (born 1983) is a footballer who grew up in Aberdeen.
• Hannah Miley (born 1989) is a swimmer who won a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
• David Ojabo (born 2000) is an American football player who grew up in Aberdeen.
• Robbie Renwick (born 1988) is a swimmer who won a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
• Jason White (born 1978) is a well-known rugby union player.

On Stage and Screen: Actors and Performers

Many people from Aberdeen have found success in acting and performing.

• James Donald (1917–1993) was an actor who appeared in many films and plays.
• Tunji Kasim is an actor known for his roles in TV shows and movies.
• Rose Leslie (born 1987) is an actress, famous for her roles in popular TV series.
• Laura Main is an actress, well-known for her role in a popular TV drama.
• Michael Sheard (1938–2005) was an actor who appeared in many TV shows and films.
• Annie Wallace is an actress.

Other Notable Aberdonians

• Leslie Benzies is a video game producer who was president of Rockstar North, the company that created the famous Grand Theft Auto series.
• Juliet-Jane Horne (born 1984) is a model who was crowned Miss Scotland in 2000.
• George Washington Wilson (1823–1892) was a pioneering photographer.

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