Famous People of Stoke-on-Trent

	Captain E.J. Smith
	Captain Smith of the ill-fated ocean liner 'The Titanic' was born in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.

	Reginald Mitchell
The city has large connections with Reginald Mitchell (1895 - 1937), designer of the WWII Spitfire aeroplane. He was born in Butt Lane which is in the neighbouring borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme and in the Parish of Audley. Each year on his birthday a lone Spitfire does a fly-past over the school in Butt Lane which carries his name. Among the most famous aircraft of all time, the Spitfire began operations before World War II and was one of the few pre-war types to remain in first-line service until the end of the war and beyond. As the war progressed, the Spitfire received heavier armament and more powerful engines until it was twice as heavy and powerful as the original mark. In all, 21554 were built in 24 different versions, including some 1220 Seafires fitted for aircraft carrier operation. Many people insist that the Spitfire is one of if not the main factor of how World War II was won.
Sir Stanley Matthews
A right winger and considered by many the greatest dribbler in the history of football, he was the first British footballer to be knighted (1965). Matthews began his professional career in 1931 and played at various times for Stoke City and Blackpool. By 1938 he was representing England in international matches, and, when he retired in 1965, he had played in 54 full international contests. He made his debut at age 17 for the local First Division professional team, Stoke City. Two years later, he was selected to play for England. A right winger, Matthews was a wonderful dribbler whose subtle body swerves, acceleration, and superb ball control unsettled virtually every defender he faced. In 1947 he moved to Blackpool and it was then he finally won a Football Association (FA) Cup winners medal, in 1953. At the age of 41, Matthews won the first-ever European Player of the Year award. In 1965 he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, becoming the first active football player ever to receive the honour. Widely respected as the perfect sportsman, Matthews was never cautioned by a referee throughout his 33-year career. More than 35,000 fans attended Matthews's retirement game in 1965. So many of the world's top players came to the game to honour him that four teams formed and played two matches.
Enoch Arnold Bennett
(1867 - 1931) Enoch Arnold Bennett was born on 27 May 1867 at 90 Hope Street, Hanley. He was the son of Enoch Bennett, a Burslem man who was at the time a pawnbroker, seeking to improve his station in the pursuit of a career in law (which he subsequently attained). He was the husband of Sarah Longson, a daughter of a Derbyshire family. Arnold Bennett was the eldest of six surviving children. From the time Arnold was eight years old, the family changed residences from Dale Hall, Burslem to Middleport and eventually settled in a newly built house at 205 Waterloo Road, Burslem. Bennett was educated at Swan Bank Wesleyan Chapel, Burslem, the Endowed school at the Wedgwood Institute in Queen Street and the Orme Middle School which was to become Wolstanton Grammar School. Upon leaving school it was intended that Bennett should become a lawyer but already he had experienced the stirrings for journalism, social correspondence and short-story writing. In 1889 he left the Potteries for good to make his home in the capital where for a time he worked as a solicitors clerk. By 1893 he had become a journalist and within three years he was the editor of the London periodical Woman. Bennett`s first novel, "A Man From The North", was published in 1898 and foretold the writer's exploration of environmental biography which resulted in the creation of his fictional town Bursley. His written works contained lightly concealed descriptions of Burslem, forming a fictional gazetteer of this important Potteries town.	With "Anna Of The Five Towns", Bennett struck the theme which earned him respect as a novelist. In this book he wove into fiction, many factual aspects of his home town. The Five Towns` novels are important works of Edwardian English literature. Bennett`s novels are indeed greatly acclaimed in their sociological style and chronological detail. In terms of important themes and realistic telling, "Clayhanger" and "Old Wives Tale" rate as high as any fiction in the English Language and with the humorous novel, "The Card", justifiably place Bennett as the most celebrated and critically important man of letters to come from Staffordshire. His Journals were published posthumously.
Robbie Williams
Born in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent on 13th February,1974 Robbie Williams was always confident and outgoing and it came as no surprise when fame eventually beckoned. His first shot at fame was as a member of the greatly successful boy pop band 'Take That'. However Robbie decided that he could not express himself as part of a group and decided to go solo in 1995. Little did he know then how successful his solo career would become. With hit after hit still being released, Robbie has claimed his place in the music industry hall of fame with such tracks as 'Angels', 'Let Me Entertain You', 'Millennium' and many more. His hugely successful albums 'Life Thru A Lens' and 'Hello...I've Been Expecting You' have won great acclaim.	Pop idol Robbie Williams continued his winning streak by taking two top awards for his songs. The singer picked up two Ivor Novello awards at a ceremony in London in May 1999 for Most Played Song and Songwriter of the Year - both of which he shared with co-writer Guy Chambers - to go with the three Brits he won in February.