List of people from Glasgow facts for kids

Glasgow, a famous city in Scotland, has been home to many incredible people throughout history! From artists and writers to scientists and sports stars, people from Glasgow have made a big impact around the world. This list introduces you to some of these notable individuals and groups who were born, grew up, or had strong connections to this vibrant city.

Arts and Creativity

Architecture and Design

Glasgow has a rich history of amazing buildings and designs.

• David Hamilton – An architect known for designing many important buildings.
• Charles Rennie Mackintosh – A world-famous architect and designer whose unique style is seen all over Glasgow.
• Alexander "Greek" Thomson – An architect famous for his buildings inspired by ancient Greek styles.

Film and TV

Many talented people from Glasgow work behind and in front of the camera.

• Bill Forsyth – A film director who has made popular movies.
• May Miles Thomas – A talented screenwriter and filmmaker.

Journalism and Broadcasting

These individuals help us stay informed and entertained through news and stories.

• Lawrence Donegan – A well-known journalist.
• Andrew Marr – A journalist, writer, and television presenter.
• Jack Webster – A respected journalist.

Literature and Writing

Glasgow has inspired many authors, poets, and playwrights.

• James Bridie – A playwright who wrote many plays for the stage.
• A. J. Cronin – A doctor who also became a successful novelist.
• Ivor Cutler – A unique poet, songwriter, and humorist.
• Lavinia Derwent – A children's writer, loved by young readers.
• Alasdair Gray – A talented artist, novelist, and essayist.
• James Kelman – A novelist known for his unique writing style.
• Liz Lochhead – A celebrated poet and playwright.
• Peter May – A popular crime writer.
• Edwin Morgan – A famous poet and translator.
• Grant Morrison – A well-known comic book author.

Performing Arts: Actors and Comedians

Glasgow is a hub for performers who make us laugh, cry, and think.

• John Barrowman – A singer and actor, known for shows like Torchwood.
• Sean Biggerstaff – An actor who appeared in the Harry Potter films.
• Billy Boyd – An actor famous for his role in The Lord of the Rings.
• Frankie Boyle – A popular comedian.
• Kevin Bridges – A well-known comedian from Glasgow.
• Peter Capaldi – An actor famous for playing Doctor Who.
• Robert Carlyle – An actor known for movies like Trainspotting.
• Lawrence Chaney – A drag queen who won RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
• Robbie Coltrane – An actor who played Hagrid in the Harry Potter films.
• Billy Connolly – A legendary comedian and actor, often called "The Big Yin."
• Iain De Caestecker – An actor known for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D..
• Craig Ferguson – An actor, writer, and talk show host.
• Michelle Gomez – An actress who appeared in Doctor Who.
• Kelly Macdonald – An actress known for Trainspotting and Boardwalk Empire.
• James McAvoy – A famous actor who has starred in many films.
• David McCallum – An actor, known for playing a secret agent in The Man from U.N.C.L.E..
• Rory McCann – An actor who played The Hound in Game of Thrones.
• Susan Calman – A comedian and actor.

Visual Arts

Artists from Glasgow have created amazing visual works, from paintings to comics.

• Jacqueline Donachie – A contemporary artist.
• Hannah Frank – An artist and sculptor.
• Frank Quitely – A highly respected comic book artist.

Business Leaders

These individuals made their mark in the world of business and industry.

• William Beardmore – A major industrialist involved in shipbuilding and engineering.
• Sir William Burrell – A shipping magnate and generous giver to charity, whose art collection is now a famous museum.
• Sir Thomas Lipton – An entrepreneur who founded the famous Lipton Tea company.
• James McGill – A businessman and generous giver who founded McGill University in Canada.
• Robert Napier – An engineer who helped start the Cunard Line, a famous shipping company.

Community and Society

City Founders and Leaders

• Saint Mungo – The traditional founder of the city of Glasgow.

Campaigners for Change

These people worked hard to improve society and fight for rights.

• Mary Barbour – A famous campaigner for tenants' rights and women's rights.
• Ian Dunn – An activist who worked for gay rights.
• Deborah Knox Livingston – A campaigner for temperance (avoiding alcohol) and women's right to vote.

Education and Knowledge

• Mary Ellen Bews – A school principal and educationalist from Glasgow who worked in New Zealand.
• Niall Ferguson – A well-known historian and writer.
• William MacAskill – A philosopher who studies ethics and how to do the most good in the world.

Fictional Characters

Even some famous fictional characters have ties to Glasgow!

• Scrooge McDuck – The super-rich cartoon duck, who was said to have been born in Glasgow.
• Desmond Hume – A character from the TV series Lost.

Military Heroes

Glasgow has been home to brave individuals who served in the military.

• Sir John Moore – A famous British military officer.
• Many individuals from Glasgow have received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for bravery in the British armed forces.

Music and Bands

Glasgow is well-known for its vibrant music scene and has produced many famous bands and musicians.

Politics and Public Service

These individuals have played important roles in government and public life.

• Mhairi Black – One of the youngest Members of Parliament (MP) ever elected in the UK.
• Sir Menzies Campbell – A former leader of the Liberal Democrats political party.
• Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman – A former British prime minister.
• Donald Dewar – The first ever First Minister of Scotland.
• Winnie Ewing – A prominent Scottish politician, known as "Madame Ecosse."
• George Galloway – A Member of Parliament for Glasgow constituencies.
• Bonar Law – Another former British prime minister.
• Sir John A. Macdonald – The very first Prime Minister of Canada.
• Michael Martin – A former Speaker of the House of Commons.
• Nicola Sturgeon – A former Scottish First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party.
• Humza Yousaf – A former Scottish First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party.

Sports Stars

Glasgow has produced many talented athletes across various sports.

Athletics

• Angela Bridgeman – A sprinter.

Baseball

• Mac MacArthur – A player in Major League Baseball.
• Jim McCormick – A baseball player.

Boxing

• Benny Lynch – A legendary boxer.
• Jim Watt – A professional boxer.

Cycling

• Philippa York – A well-known cyclist.

Football

Alexander Watson Hutton, known as the "Father of Argentine football."

• Jen Beattie – A footballer.
• Sir Kenny Dalglish – A legendary former football player and manager.
• Sir Alex Ferguson – One of the most successful football managers ever, famous for leading Manchester United.
• Alexander Watson Hutton – Known as the "Father of Argentine football" for his role in establishing the sport there.
• James McFadden – A footballer.
• Danny McGrain – A footballer and manager.
• Jimmy McGrory – A famous footballer and manager.
• Andrew Robertson – A footballer.
• Jock Stein – A highly respected football manager.

Golf

• Colin Montgomerie – A famous professional golfer.
• Janice Moodie – A professional golfer.

Ice Hockey

• Colin Shields – An ice hockey player.

Rugby Union

• Johnnie Beattie – A rugby union player.
• Gordon Bulloch – A rugby union player.

Snooker

• Stephen Maguire – A professional snooker player.
• Alan McManus – A professional snooker player.

Swimming

• Michael Jamieson – A swimmer.
• Duncan Scott – A swimmer, known for his Olympic medals.

Tennis

• Andy Murray – A world-famous Olympic tennis player.

Wrestling

• Nikki Cross – A professional wrestler.
• Wolfgang – A professional wrestler.

Science and Engineering

Glasgow has been a hub for scientific and engineering breakthroughs.

• June Almeida – A virologist who made important discoveries about viruses.
• Joseph Black – A physicist and chemist.
• Ronald David Laing – A psychiatrist.
• Charles Macintosh – The inventor of waterproof fabric, leading to the famous Macintosh raincoat.
• David Napier – A marine engineer.
• Robert Napier – A marine engineer who helped start the Cunard Line.
• James Beaumont Neilson – An inventor.
• Sir William Ramsay – A chemist who discovered noble gases.
• William Thomson, Lord Kelvin – A brilliant mathematician, physicist, and engineer who made many important scientific contributions.
• James Watt – A famous engineer who improved the steam engine, which was vital for the Industrial Revolution.
• Nora Wattie – A pioneer in public health.