Chislehurst - Famous Residents

Famous Residents

• William Camden (1551–1623), antiquary, historian, and Clarenceux King of Arms, lived in the house later known as Camden Place from c.1609 until his death there in 1623.
• Malcolm Campbell, former land and water speed record holder, was born in Chislehurst and is buried in St. Nicholas Parish Church next to his parents.
• George Somers Leigh Clarke (1822–1882, eminent architect lived at Walpole, Manor Park and number a important local houses. He is buried in the St Nicholas' churchyard.
• Billy Bonds, former professional footballer and manager.
• Richmal Crompton, author of the Just William series of books for children of all ages.
• Countess of Teba and Empress of France, Eugénie de Montijo.
• Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, President of France 1848–52, Emperor of the French 1854–70.
• Sir Francis Walsingham, spy master to Elizabeth I, and his son, Sir Thomas Walsingham.
• E. J. May (1853–1941), architect, lived locally and designed a number of local buildings.
• Charles Pratt (1714–1794), Baron Camden from 1765 and 1st Earl Camden from 1786, Attorney General, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and Lord Chancellor, lived at Camden Place from c.1760.
• Dizzee Rascal, rapper
• Siouxsie Sioux, singer, most famous for being in the band Siouxsie and the Banshees
• Alan Watts, philosopher, born and raised in Chislehurst, moved to the United States in 1938.
• William Willett, a campaigner for daylight saving time, lived most of his adult life in Chislehurst.
• William Hyde Wollaston, English chemist and physicist who is famous for discovering two chemical elements and for developing a way to process platinum ore.
• David Norris, One of the prime suspects in the Stephen Lawrence Murder Investigation, he and Gary Dobson were convicted of the murder in January 2012 after a long agonizing 18 years. He for his part in the murder was sentenced to 14 years. He resided in Chislehurst for several years until 1995.