Editing Surbiton (section)

==Popular culture and notable residents==
===Resident artists and writers===

[[File:The clock tower Surbiton.jpg|thumb|left|The clock tower, Surbiton, built to celebrate the Coronation of King Edward VII, 1902]]

The Pre-Raphaelite painters [[John Everett Millais]] (1829–1896) and [[William Holman Hunt]] (1827–1910) came to Surbiton in 1851, 26 years before [[Richard Jefferies]] (1848–1887). Millais used the [[Hogsmill River]], in Six Acre Meadow, [[Tolworth]], as the background for his painting ''[[Ophelia (painting)|Ophelia]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=KoZola |date=2014-04-21 |title=Site of John Everett Millais' Ophelia as it is now on Hogsmill River Old Malden |url=https://www.kingstononline.co.uk/ophelia-john-everett-millais-painted-hogsmill-river-1851/ |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Kingston Online guide to Kingston upon Thames |language=en-GB}}</ref> Holman Hunt used the fields just south of this spot as the background to ''[[The Hireling Shepherd]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestergalleries.org/the-collections/search-the-collection/display.php?EMUSESSID=1828ea76fa2d8c31480c6725ca3ed106&irn=195 |title=Collections |publisher=Manchester Art Gallery |website=Manchestergalleries.org |access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref>

In the mid-1870s the novelist [[Thomas Hardy]] (1840–1928) lived in a house called 'St. David's Villa' in Hook Road, Surbiton for a year after his marriage to [[Emma Gifford]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://maproom.net/story-thomas-hardy-surbiton/|title=The surprising story of Thomas Hardy in Surbiton|date=2016-10-30|website=Maproom|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-06-18}}</ref> [[H.G.Wells]], in his comic novel [[The Wheels of Chance]], describes the cycle collision of 'Mr Hoopdriver' and a 'Young Lady in Grey'; the young lady approaching 'along an affluent from the villas of Surbiton'. The writer [[Enid Blyton]] was governess to a Surbiton family for four years from 1920, at a house called 'Southernhay', also on the Hook Road.<ref>{{citation|title=Chronology|url=http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/chronology.php|access-date=10 February 2012|author=The Enid Blyton Society}}</ref> [[C. H. Middleton]] (1886–1945), who broadcast on gardening during the [[Second World War]], lived in Surbiton, where he died suddenly outside his home.<ref>Daniel Smith (2011) ''The Spade as Mighty as the Sword''</ref> The artist who brought [[Rupert the Bear]] to life for a whole generation, [[Alfred Bestall]], sketched out his cartoons from his home in Cranes Park, Surbiton Hill.

===In popular culture===
Surbiton was the setting of [[Keble Howard]]'s novel ''The Smiths of Surbiton'', published in 1906. The novel proved successful and led to two sequels, ''The Smiths of Valley View'' (1909) and ''The Smiths in War-Time'' (1918), both also set in Surbiton.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Kemp|last2=Mitchell|last3=Trotter|title=Edwardian Fiction, an Oxford Companion|year=1997|page=[https://archive.org/details/edwardianfiction0000kemp/page/197 197]|publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780198117605|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/edwardianfiction0000kemp/page/197}}</ref>

A 1972 episode of ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'' featured a mock documentary which investigated whether the residents of [[Hounslow]], another London area suburb, had long ago been descendants of the people of Surbiton "who had made the great trek north".<ref>''Monty Python's Flying Circus'', Episode No. 28, first aired 28 October 1972</ref>

Surbiton is popularly remembered as an icon of [[suburbia]] in such British television programmes as ''[[The Good Life (1975 TV series)|The Good Life]]'' (starring [[Richard Briers]], [[Penelope Keith]], [[Paul Eddington]] and [[Felicity Kendal]]), though location filming was done in [[Northwood, London|Northwood]], North-West London,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1251547.stm The Good Life house for sale]</ref> and [[John Sessions]] and [[Phil Cornwell]]'s comedy series ''[[Stella Street]]''.

Surbiton station features in the 2009 film version of ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]],'' with actors [[Daniel Radcliffe]] as [[Harry Potter (character)|Harry Potter]] and [[Michael Gambon]] as [[Albus Dumbledore]]. Filming took place in November 2007.<ref>[http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/1839369.harry_potter_film_on_location_in_surbiton/ thisislocallondon.co.uk]</ref> The station also appears in [[Agatha Christie's Poirot]]: ''The Adventure of the Clapham Cook'',<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Adventure of the Clapham Cook |series=[[Agatha Christie's Poirot]] |network=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] |date=8 January 1989 |season=1 |number=1 |minutes=38:28}}</ref> a 1989 [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] adaptation of the short story by [[Agatha Christie]]. The station reflects the 1930s [[Art Deco]] style that often featured in locations used in the series.<ref>{{cite news|first=Finlo |last=Rohrer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24914782|title=Goodbye to the splendid 1930s world of Poirot|work=[[BBC News Online#Magazine|BBC News Magazine]]|date=15 November 2013|access-date=30 January 2022}}</ref>

The guitarist and singer-songwriter [[Eric Clapton]] purchased one of his first guitars from a shop in Surbiton called ''Bells''; the shop has since closed.<ref>[http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/books-manuscripts/a-late-1950s-hofner-club-60-1525990-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=1525990&sid=775d57e0-50bb-4a69-95ac-6c7be096a7fb christies.com]</ref>

According to the cassette insert for the 1980s computer game ''[[Manic Miner]]'', the mine complex in which the game action takes place was located "while prospecting down Surbiton way..."<ref>[http://www.20goto10.co.uk/manicminer/instructions.html 'Manic Miner - Instructions'] at 20 GOTO 10 website</ref>

===List of notable residents===
*[[Marjorie Abbatt]] – toy-maker and businesswoman<ref>{{cite ODNB|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/49549|title=Abbatt, Marjorie}}</ref>
*[[Thomas John Barnardo]] – Irish [[philanthropist]] and founder of [[Barnardo's]] charity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/international-autograph-auction-spain-s-l/catalogue-id-srint10004/lot-46b4684b-8e71-4b9c-91af-abe5012290ef |title=Letter from Thomas John Barnardo |publisher=The Saleroom |access-date=14 November 2020}}</ref>
*[[Mike Batt]] – Singer, songwriter, musician, known for [[The Wombles (band)|The Wombles]]<ref name=":1" />
*[[Douglas Walter Belcher]] {{postnom|uk|VC}} – recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]] for action in the [[2nd Battle of Ypres]] during WWI.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tiffinschool.co.uk/ota/tiffnews/March2008.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2008-10-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004162958/http://www.tiffinschool.co.uk/ota/tiffnews/March2008.pdf |archivedate=4 October 2011}} "Newsletter of the Old Tiffinians' Association No. 235", March 2008</ref>
*[[George Best]] – a retired footballer and TV pundit before his death (having been born in Belfast and lived much of his life in Manchester)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Memories of George Best|url=https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/890311.memories-of-george-best/|access-date=2020-11-16|website=Surrey Comet|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Alfred Bestall]] – illustrator of the [[Rupert Bear|Rupert]] books<ref>{{cite web|url=http://openplaques.org/plaques/41 |title=Alfred Bestall blue plaque |publisher=Open Plaques |access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref>
*[[Enid Blyton]] – English [[children's writer]]<ref>{{cite ODNB|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/31939|title=Blyton, Enid}}</ref>
* [[Charlie Brooks]] – actress<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charlie Brooks chats to Muddy - Muddy Stilettos, Surrey {{!}} Muddy Stilettos |url=https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/interview-with-charlie-brooks/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Charlie Brooks chats to Muddy - Muddy Stilettos, Surrey {{!}} Muddy Stilettos |language=en}}</ref>
* William Bryant – co-founder of [[Bryant and May]]'s matches, lived with his wife at their property 'Oakenshaw' in Surbiton<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/collections/mrs-bryants-pleasure/ |title=Mrs Bryant's Pleasure|author=V&A Museum|publisher=V&A Museum|access-date=24 July 2019 }}</ref>
* Wilberforce Bryant – chairman of [[Bryant and May]]'s matches, eldest son of co-founder William Bryant, lived at 'The Gables' (now [[Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College|Hillcroft College]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londongardensonline.org.uk/gardens-online-record.php?ID=KIN021 |title=Hillcroft College|publisher=London Parks and Gardens Trust|date=1 April 2012 |access-date=24 July 2019 }}</ref>
* [[Charles Burney (Archdeacon of Kingston)|Charles Burney]] – Archdeacon of Kingston-upon-Thames from 1879 to 1904<ref>{{Cite web|title=Paul Frecker - Fine Photographs|url=http://paulfrecker.com/index.cfm?page=LibraryDetails&itemid=7405|access-date=2020-11-16|website=paulfrecker.com}}</ref>
* [[A.B. Burton|Arthur Brian Burton]], founder and owner of [[Thames Ditton Foundry]]
* [[Jane Campbell, Baroness Campbell of Surbiton]] – equality and human rights champion<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-03-14|title=Disabled people are confronting the spectre of social death {{!}} Jane Campbell|url=http://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/mar/14/disability-rights-under-threat-in-uk|access-date=2020-11-16|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Maria Caterina Rosalbina Caradori-Allan|Rosalbina Caradori-Allan]] – opera singer<ref>{{Citation |last=Forbes |first=Elizabeth|title=Caradori-Allan, Maria |date=2009-01-01 |work=The Grove Book of Opera Singers |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780195337655.001.0001/acref-9780195337655-e-236 |access-date=2025-03-30 |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en |doi=10.1093/acref/9780195337655.001.0001/acref-9780195337655-e-236 |isbn=978-0-19-533765-5}}</ref>
* [[Frank Cellier (actor)|Frank Cellier]] – actor{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
* [[Julian Clary]] – comedian and novelist<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.kingstononline.co.uk/famous-residents-kingston-local-area/|title=Famous residents of Kingston, Surbiton and the local area|date=2014-10-07|website=Kingston Online guide to Kingston upon Thames|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-18}}</ref>
* [[Earl of Dundonald|William Francis Dundonald Cochrane]] – brigadier-general in the Army, and great-grandson of [[Archibald Cochrane, 9th Earl of Dundonald]]
* [[John Cooper (car maker)|John Cooper]] – car maker<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/search-news/english-heritage-unveils-blue-plaque-at-former-cooper-car-company-works/ |title=The Cooper Car Company commemorated with an English Heritage blue plaque|publisher=English Heritage|date=16 August 2018 |access-date=24 July 2019 }}</ref>
* [[Allan Cuthbertson]] – actor
* [[Ed Davey]] MP – politician, [[leader of the Liberal Democrats]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Walker|first=Tim|date=2020-05-10|title=Lib Dem acting leader Ed Davey on the art of opposition homeworking|url=https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news/lib-dem-leader-ed-davey-working-from-home-77350|access-date=2020-11-16|website=The New European|language=en-UK}}</ref>
* [[Phyllis Dixey]] – singer, dancer and [[impresario]]<ref name=":1" />
* [[Bernard George Ellis]] – winner of the [[George Cross]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=National Army Museum|url=https://ww1.nam.ac.uk/stories/lieutenant-bernard-ellis/|website=ww1.nam.ac.uk|access-date=2024-12-16}}</ref>
* [[David Essex]] – musician, singer-songwriter and actor, lived on Ditton Road for 16 years until 2002.<ref name=":1" />
* [[John Foxx]] – musician and digital artist, former resident<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sinclair |first=Iain |date=2010-07-30 |title=John Foxx Interview {{!}} Iain Sinclair |url=https://www.iainsinclair.org.uk/2010/07/30/john-foxx-interview/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=iainsinclair.org.uk |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[Susan George (actress)|Susan George]] – actress<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ciaran Brown meets actress Susan George|url=http://www.ciaranbrown.com/george.html|website=www.ciaranbrown.com|access-date=2020-05-01}}</ref>
* [[Eileen Gray (cyclist)|Eileen Gray]] – cyclist<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/9672933.Cycling_pioneer_in_line_for_award/r/?ref=surbiton.com |title=Kingston women's cycling pioneer in line for award|author=Nazia Dewji|publisher=Surrey Comet|date=26 April 2012 |access-date=27 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223092516/http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/9672933.Cycling_pioneer_in_line_for_award/r/?ref=surbiton.com |archive-date=23 December 2014 }}</ref>
* [[Thomas Hardy]] – author (while completing and for the publishing of ''[[Far from the Madding Crowd]]'')<ref name=":0" />
* [[Roy Hodgson]] – football manager
* [[Saskia Howard-Clarke]] – ''[[Big Brother 6 (UK)|Big Brother]]'' contestant and glamour model
* [[Leslie Illsley]] – artist and one of the founders of [[Troika Pottery]]
* [[James Johnston (rugby union)|James Johnston]] – rugby union player, lived in Surbiton until 2013 while playing for [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]]<ref>{{cite web|title=James Johnston (@JayVJohnston) {{!}} Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/JayVJohnston|website=twitter.com|access-date=14 July 2017|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Lukin Johnston]] – English-Canadian journalist who interviewed [[Adolf Hitler]] and subsequently disappeared
* [[John Keen (cyclist)|John Keen]] – racing cyclist{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
* [[Norman Lee]] – British [[screenwriter]] and [[film director]]
* [[Rob Lee]] – former councillor<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-29 |title=Apology over G4s arrest threat |url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/9842644.apology-over-g4s-arrest-threat/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Your Local Guardian |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Lara Lewington]] – television presenter, attended [[Surbiton High School]]<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2019-07-24|title=Surbiton High Pupils receive award at the National Awards Ceremony for WOHAA | publisher=Surbiton High School|url=https://www.surbitonhigh.com/news/2014-05-08/Surbiton-High-Pupils-receive-award-at-the-National-Awards-Ceremony-for-WOHAA|date=8 May 2014}}</ref>
* [[Chris McCausland]] – comedian, ''[[Would I Lie to You? (British game show)|Would I Lie To You?]]'', ''[[Live at the Apollo (TV series)|Live at the Apollo]]''
* [[John McCririck]] – [[Horse racing|horse racing pundit]], ''[[Celebrity Big Brother 2005 (UK)|Celebrity Big Brother]]'' (2005), and ''[[Ultimate Big Brother]]'' (2010)
* [[Debbie McGee]] – widow of late magician Paul Daniels, born in Kingston, lived in Tolworth, went to Our Lady Immaculate and [[Tolworth Girls' School]]s<ref name=":1" />
* [[Art Malik]] – actor
* [[Dudley Mason|Dudley Mason GC]] – master of the [[SS Ohio|SS ''Ohio'']]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vconline.org.uk/dudley-w-mason-gc/4589321630|title=Dudley William Mason GC|author=The Comprehensive Guide to the Victoria and George Cross|publisher=VC Online|access-date=24 July 2019 }}</ref>
* [[C. H. Middleton]] ("Mr Middleton") – gardener, writer and [[BBC]] broadcaster
* [[William Newton (sport shooter)|William Newton]] – Olympic [[shooting sports|sports shooter]], killed in World War I, grew up in Surbiton where his parents settled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/155443/newton,-william-savage/ |title=William Savage Newton |work=Commonwealth War Graves Commission |access-date=18 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.masonicgreatwarproject.org.uk/legend.php?id=2249 |title=William Savage Newton |work=Masonic Great War Project |access-date=18 June 2020}}</ref>
* [[Elizabeth Norton]] – historian and author{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
* [[Betty Nuthall]] – amongst other major titles, winner of the 1930 Women's US Singles Tennis Championship, ranked number 4 in the world
* [[Katherine Parkinson]] – actress, [[The IT Crowd|IT Crowd]]{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
* [[Andy Parsons]] – comedian, ''[[Mock The Week]]''{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
* Alf Pearson (of musical double act [[Bob and Alf Pearson]]) lived in Surbiton until 2007<ref>{{Cite web|title=Notable Abodes - Alf Pearson (Musician)|url=http://www.notableabodes.com/people-search-results/person-details/135257/alf-pearson-musician|access-date=2021-03-14|website=www.notableabodes.com}}</ref>
* [[Emma, Lady Radford]] – English antiquarian and public servant, incl. chairman of the Kingston-upon-Thames [[Women's Land Army]]. Resided at Chiswick House, Ditton Hill, Surbiton.
* [[Jon Richardson (entertainer)|Jon Richardson]] – comedian, ''[[8 out of 10 Cats]]'', ''[[Stand Up for the Week]]''
* [[L. J. K. Setright]] – motoring journalist and author{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
* [[Helen Sharman|Dr. Helen Sharman]] – first Briton in space, first woman to visit [[Mir]] space station<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thegoodlifesurbiton.co.uk/previous-issues/ |title=Go to Mars, says Helen|date=July 2024 |issue=76 |page=3 |accessdate=22 March 2025 |work=The Good Life, Surbiton's Community Newspaper}}</ref>
* [[David Spinx]] – actor<ref>{{Cite web|title=Young artists will raise the roof of the Rose tonight|url=https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/9804031.young-artists-will-raise-the-roof-of-the-rose-tonight/|access-date=2020-11-16|website=Surrey Comet|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Twinkle (singer)|Twinkle]] (Lynn Ripley) – singer
* [[Naunton Wayne]] – actor{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
* [[Jimmy White]] – Snooker Player<ref name=":1" />
* [[Joe Wicks (coach)|Joe Wicks]] – Coach and personal trainer<ref>{{Cite news|last=Heritage|first=Stuart|date=2016-06-18|title=Meet the Body Coach, the man with the million-dollar muscles|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jun/18/joe-wicks-meet-body-coach-million-dollar-muscles|access-date=2020-05-01|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
* [[Dorothy Wrinch]] – first woman to receive an Oxford DSc., 1938 [[Nobel Prize]] nominee, grew up in Surbiton