The Museum of London have recently run a poll, which surveyed 2000 people, in order to discover who the UK considers to be the ‘Great Londoners’ of all time. Emerging victorious, ladies and gentleman, is none other than the award-winning nature documentary producer and star, Sir David Attenborough. He was followed by David Bowie and Queen Liz II herself.
Finbarr Whooley, Director of Content at the Museum of London, said: “Some of the most iconic people in British history have called London their home, and it is amazing to see such a variety of skills and personalities in this list of greats. Athletes, filmmakers, novelists, musicians and royals; London and its rich history have provided inspiration for some of the city’s most legendary residents.”
Other Londoners who made the cut include Becks, Elton John, children’s book authors Edith Blyton and Beatrix Potter. Have a look at the full list below and let us know if there are any ‘Londoners’ who you think have been missed (or wrongly put in the top!).
Top 50 Greatest Londoners of All Time:
1. David Attenborough
2. David Bowie
3. Elizabeth II
4. Queen Victoria
5. Michael Caine
6. Elizabeth I
7. Samuel Pepys
8. David Beckham
9. Geoffrey Chaucer
10. Charlie Chaplin
11. Alfred Hitchcock
12. Stephen Fry
13. Bobby Moore
14. Beatrix Potter
15. Michael Faraday
16. Tim Berners-Lee
17. Enid Blyton
18. Elton John
19. Thomas Beckett
20. Helen Mirren
21. John Keats
22. Tom Hardy
23. Alan Sugar
24. William Blake
25. Idris Elba
26. Christopher Lee
27. Lord Byron
28. Benedict Cumberbatch
29. Alec Guinness
30. Gary Oldman
31. Roger Moore
32. Bruce Forsyth
33. Clement Attlee
34. Mary Shelley
35. Kate Moss
36. Virginia Woolf
37. Twiggy
38. Oliver Reed
39. Ray Davies
40. Naomi Campbell
41. Marc Bolan
42. Daniel Day Lewis
43. Jimmy Page
44. Lennox Lewis
45. Elvis Costello
46. Sid Vicious
47. Christopher Nolan
48. Keith Moon
49. John Lydon
50. Ian Dury
The Museum of London tells the ever-changing story of this great world city and its people, from 450,000 BC to the present day. The galleries, exhibitions, displays and activities seek to inspire a passion for London and provide a sense of the vibrancy that makes the city such a unique place. The museums are open daily 10am – 6pm and are FREE to all, and you can explore the Museum of London with collections online – home to 90,000 objects with more being added.www.museumoflondon.org.uk