Hull Founding Fathers

Did you know the boiled sweet, Dettol, Lemsip, Association Football and much more was invented by Hullensians?

This Father’s Day we’re looking at the “founding fathers of Hull”. It’s a chance to celebrate the Hull-born men who helped shape the world with their inventions and forward-thinking ideas.

Do you know any more who should make the list?

William Wilberforce

Born in 1759, William Wilberforce was just 21 years old when he became an MP. One of his lasting legacies is his fight to end the slave trade, with his final bill passing just three days before his death. Tributes to him can be found around the city and further afield.

Ebeneezer Cobb Morley

Ebeneezer Morley is the father of modern football. Born in 1831 in a street off Freetown Way, he founded Barnes Football Club and went on to create the FA’s 1863 laws which saw the birth of the game we recognise today. Morley became the president of the association and was the first person to present the FA Cup in 1872. He died in Surrey at the age of 93.

Andrew Marvell

Born in Winestead in 1621, Andrew Marvell was a renowned metaphysical poet, satirist and politician. The son of a local clergyman and later lecturer at Holy Trinity Church, Marvell studied at Hull Grammar School until the age of 13 and went on to travel the world, with his works documenting the social changes of the time.

John Venn

It was during his time at the University of Hull that John Venn created the concept of the now internationally used Venn diagram. Drypool Bridge was painted in his honour during the 2017 UK City of Culture.

Stephen West

Born in Hessle, Stephen West is a biochemist and molecular biologist known for pioneering life-saving and significant studies involving DNA and cancer.

Joseph Rank

Joseph Rank was the founder of one of Britain’s largest flour milling and bakery companies, which eventually became known as Rank Hovis. One of his sons, J Arthur Rank, went on to co-found Pinewood Film Studios as well as own the Odeon Cinemas chain, among other ventures.

Sir Robert Blackburn

Sir Robert was an aviator and engineer who established Blackburn Aircraft in Brough, where his team built many aircraft that were using during the Second World War, including the infamous Buccaneer.

Professor George Gray

This University of Hull professor was one of the key pioneers behind Liquid Crystal Technology. Without his work televisions and computer screens may look completely different – or not exist at all.