A group of influential figures from across Merseyside have been officially etched into the UK’s national record of history, taking their place alongside some of the most famous names of the century.
The latest update of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography is published on Thursday 9 April 2026 and adds biographies of 229 people who left their mark on the UK, and who died in the year 2022.
The list includes a diverse array of Liverpool-born talent, from the creators of beloved television dramas to world-renowned children’s authors.
Masters of the Written Word
Born at 72 Clavell Road, Allerton, scriptwriter and author John Finch (1925-2022) is among the new entries. Finch worked for ten years on Coronation Street before writing A Family at War (1970-2), which followed a Liverpool family through the war years.
He is joined by Fazakerley-born David Pownall (1938-2022).
After beginning his writing career while working in Zambia, Pownall became a prolific author of plays, radio dramas, and novels, achieving international acclaim with his play Master Class (1983).
West Kirby’s Shirley Hughes (1927-2022) also features in the 2026 update.
Educated at West Kirby High School for Girls and Liverpool Art School, Hughes illustrated more than 200 children’s books and wrote more than fifty, including the iconic Alfie series and the 1977 classic Dogger.
Cultural and Academic Contributions
The update highlights Merseyside’s impact on the arts and academia through figures such as:
- Anne Howells (1941-2022): Born in Southport, the mezzo-soprano was a versatile singer with long associations with Glyndebourne and Covent Garden, performing in the world’s most famous opera houses.
- Vera Gissing (1928-2022): A beneficiary of the Kindertransport scheme, Gissing was taken in by a Liverpool family, the Rainsfords. She became a noted literary translator and authored the memoir Pearls of Childhood.
- Sir Graeme Davies (1937-2022): The New Zealand-born metallurgist served as vice-chancellor of Liverpool University from 1986 to 1991.
- Geoffrey Ribbans (1927-2022): Professor of Spanish at Liverpool for 15 years and editor of the Bulletin of Hispanic Studies.
The Oxford DNB serves as the national record of people who have shaped British history worldwide.
From April 2026, the dictionary includes biographies of more than 63,000 individuals, providing a permanent legacy for those from the Liverpool City Region who have influenced British life and culture.
