Hull People
This section contains stories about famous people who have lived in Hull. Probably the best-known is William Wilberforce, the great anti-slavery campaigner. Others include Amy Johnson, James Reckitt and T.R. Ferens. Some stories are about people who depicted Hull such as John Ward and F.S. Smith. One recounts the talents of Madame Clapham who was once Hull's finest dressmaker.
William Wilberforce - the man (part 1)
Discover more about at the Wilberforce Family and William Wilberforce's early years.
William Wilberforce - the man (part 2)
Read about the impact of Wilberforce's university days and his career in politics.
Amy Johnson (part 1)
Discover how Amy Johnson, who was born in Hull, caught the flying bug after a five shilling pleasure trip and went on to became the first woman to fly solo to Australia in May 1930.
Amy Johnson (part 2)
Amy Johnson was the first woman to fly solo to Australia in 1930. Discover what happened after that historic flight and her exploits in the Second World War.
Madame Clapham: Hull's Celebrated Dressmaker
Madam Clapham was Hull's most celebrated dressmaker. She established her business in 1887 in Kingston Square, and continued until her death in 1952. Read on to discover how she developed her dress making business, when she reached the height of her fame and how she became a Court dressmaker.
T. R. Ferens (part 1)
The name of Ferens is well-known throughout Hull. The city's Art Gallery bears his name, as does one of the main roads through the city, 'Ferensway'. It is quite surprising then that although he was a generous benefactor, successful businessman and M.P. in the city, he was not actually born in Hull, but in County Durham. Read on to find out more about his life.
T. R. Ferens (part 2)
The name of Ferens is well-known throughout Hull. The city's Art Gallery bears his name, as does one of the main roads through the city, 'Ferensway'. It is quite surprising then that although he was a generous benefactor, successful businessman and M.P. in the city, he was not actually born in Hull, but in County Durham. Read on to find out more about his life.
Drawing on Hull's Past - The F.S. Smith Collection (part 1)
Hull's Old Town is an historic area that even today includes many Georgian and Victorian buildings. F.S. Smith created many drawings of its streets between around 1880 and 1920. Some show some early timber-framed buildings that no longer exist. Others depict familiar sights of today like the King William III statue.
Drawing on Hull's Past - The F.S. Smith Collection (part 2)
Hull grew rapidly outwards from the Old Town from around 1800. F.S. Smith captured the look of the streets in his drawings between 1880 and 1920. They reveal a city of contrasts, showing the housing and workplaces of both rich and poor. He also took his sketchbook to outlying villages and drew them.
Harry Cartlidge - Life Through a Lens
Harry Cartlidge was a keen amatuer photographer from Hull. Discover how his love for photgraphy developed from a very early age and how Harry was on hand to capture some of Hull and the country's most memorable events.
J. Arthur Rank - 'The Man Behind the Gong'
J. Arthur Rank was born in Hull in 1888 into a devoutly Methodist family. His father, Joseph, had founded a flour milling business but J Arthur was not to follow in his fathers footsteps. Discover how he left the family business to form a successful film company that gave us the likes of James Bond and the Carry On films.
Joseph Groves Boxhall - The Last Man Standing
Joseph Groves Boxhall was born in Hull on 23 March 1884. His family had strong seafaring links and Boxhall followed in his fathers footsteps by starting his apprenticeship in 1899 before joining the Wilson Line in 1903. In the following years he worked on many different vessels before accepting a job on the Titanic. Read about how Boxhall was part of the crew of the doomed vessel.
Thomas Thompson (1754 - 1828)
Thomas Thompson was a local businessman and MP, who resided at 25 High Street, now Wilberforce House Museum, for nearly forty years. In 1770 at the age of 16 he went to work as a Clerk to William Wilberforce (senior) in what later became a branch of Wilberforce, Smith & Co Bank.
Thomas Sheppard
Read about Thomas Sheppard, the 'father' of Hull Museums, from his upbringing in North Lincolnshire, his early interest in geology, his appointment as curator of Hull Literary and Philosophical Society's Museum and his part in the development of Hull's museums.
