Withington history

Here we describe briefly the lives and contributions of some of the famous and distinguished people associated with Withington, either born here, living here, or otherwise associated with the area.

Kenneth Whittaker in Withington Worthies (2009) describes a number of people associated with Withington, including famous people, dignitaries of the area and local worthies.

Robert Donat

The actor and Academy Award-winning film star, Robert Donat, was born and grew up in Withington. See the Robert Donat page for a summary of the actor's links with Withington and an account of the ceremony to unveil the commemorative plaque at his place of birth.

Robert Donat

[Image from FilmBug.]

The plaque at 42, Everett Road, Withington, the actor's place of birth.

Brian Donat, who came over from Canada for the unveiling of the plaque, holding his father's Academy Award (the "Oscar").

Lord Rutherford

Pioneer of atomic and nuclear physics, Ernest Rutherford, later 1st Baron Rutherford of Nelson, spent part of his scientific career (1907-1919) at the then Victoria University of Manchester, during which time he "split the atom". He lived in a building on Wilmslow Road (on the east side, just north of the junction with Mauldeth Road) which is now called "Rutherford Lodge" and has a blue plaque to celebrate his residency here:

Lord Rutherford

[Image from Wikipedia.]

Rutherford Lodge, Wilmslow Road, Withington. Notice the commemorative blue plaque. [2012]

A common, but rather misleading, image of the structure of the atom. [Image from

"Explain that stuff".]

Frank Kingdon-Ward

The great botantist, plant-hunter and geographer, Frank Kingdon-Ward (1885-1958), was born at No. 14, Heaton Road. His main area of exploration was SW China, Tibet and NE India - a wild and mountainous part of the world of unpredictable weather and frequent earthquakes, with climatic zones from tropical and sub-tropical, through temperate and alpine, to barren high peaks and permanent snow. He brought back many familiar garden plants. See the notes by John Davies and an online biography.

Frank Kingdon-Ward in the 1940s.

[Image from ARS 30:1]

The plaque on the site of his birth, 14, Heaton Road, Withington, erected by his second wife, Jean.

[Image from Open Plaques.]

Primula florindae, discovered and collected by Kingdon-Ward and named after his first wife, Florinda.

[Image from Plants for Less.]

Margaret Ashton

Margaret Ashton (1856-1937) was the first woman to run for election to Manchester City Council and became the first woman on the council in 1908. She both represented and lived in Withington, and was an advocate for women’s rights and for improved women's healthcare.

She became a member of Manchester's public health committee and the Chair of the maternity and child welfare subcommittee. She was an early pioneer of healthcare for mothers and babies, and, in 1914, she founded the Manchester Babies Hospital along with Dr Catherine Chisholm.

In 1914, at the beginning of the First World War, Ashton was among the internationalist minority who split from the suffragette movement. She was a signatory of the "Open Christmas Letter", a call for peace addressed in sisterhood "To the Women of Germany and Austria", which was published in January 1915. She started a Manchester branch of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. See the Wikipedia page for more details.

The Wolstenholme sisters

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Louis Paulhan in 1909. [Image from Wikipedia.]	"Paulhan Sweeping over the Railway at Burnage Station, at the End of His Dash to Manchester." Notice the enthusiastic crowd waving a welcome. [Image from Manchester Area Psychogeographic.]	Louis Paulhan: Plaque at 25-27, Paulhan Road, Withington. [2014]
Captain Sir John Alcock. [Image from Manchester Evening News Online.]	A memorial to Captain Sir John Alcock: His grave in Southern Cemetery, Manchester. [Image from Manchester Evening News Online.]	Captain Sir John Alcock: Plaque at 6, Kingswood Road, Ladybarn. [2014]

Billy Meredith

Billy Meredith (1874-1958) was one of the most popular footballers of his era, playing for several teams, including Manchester City and then Manchester United. After his playing career, he moved to Burton Road in Withington and is buried in nearby Southern Cemetery. He is described as a football superstar... more details.

Billy Meredith. [Image from Wikipedia]

[Image from Getty Images, via BBC website]

Marcus Rashford MBE

Marcus Rashford (born 1997), the Manchester United and England footballer, grew up in Withington, living on Saltney Avenue, Old Moat, until, at nine years old, he moved with his family to Wythenshawe. Whilst in Withington he played for Fletcher Moss Rangers F.C.

He has recently (2020) campaigned for government help for families living with poverty, with a successful campaign to extend free school meals, in which he talked to the Prime Minister about the issue. His commitment to this campaign arose from his own childhood experiences of poverty.

In 2020, Rashford was awarded an MBE, and the City of Manchester Award.

John and Enid Bridge

John Bridge (1872-1945) was a local classical musician with a distinguished record. He was leader of the Halle Orchestra, as well as leader of what became the BBC Northern Orchestra, and contributed to many other orchestras and music ensembles.

He lived in Withington with his wife, Enid (1867-1937), who also was a professional musician, performing with local music ensembles and teaching music at Withington School for Girls.

Frank Rutherford has written an account of their achievements.

John Mahoney

John Mahoney (1940-2018) was an actor of stage, film and TV, perhaps becoming most recognised as Martin Crane, the father of the Crane brothers in the TV series Frasier. He was born in Blackpool; his family having been evacuated there from Manchester during WWII, but returned to his home in Withington, where he grew up. He moved to the USA in 1959, where he took up a career in acting.