Three influential figures born and raised in Manchester have been officially added to the UK’s national record of history, joining the 2026 update alongside Queen Elizabeth II.
The latest update of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography was 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 talent from across the Manchester region, from celebrated stars of the stage and screen to one of the most debated figures in British policing.
Law Enforcement and National Impact
The update features Wigan-born Sir James Anderton, pictured above, (1932-2022), who led Greater Manchester Police as chief constable from 1976 to 1991.
Known widely as ‘God’s copper’, Anderton was a polarising figure who brought a harsh approach to law enforcement and frequently made controversial public statements regarding the miners’ strike, corporal punishment, and social issues.
Legends of the Screen
Born at 14 Alfred Street and educated at Flixton School for Girls, Lynda Baron (1939-2022) is among the new entries.
A versatile dancer and comic actress, Baron appeared in a wide variety of programmes, including Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life.
However, she remains a household name for her role as Nurse Gladys Emmanuel in Open All Hours (1976-85) alongside Ronnie Barker.
She is joined by Fallowfield-born actor David Warner (1941-2022). Born at 16 Leighbrook Road, Warner scored early successes with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1965 and as the anti-hero of the 1966 film Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment.
His prolific career spanned decades of international work across film, television, and theatre.
The historical figures from Manchester are included in the update alongside Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022), the longest-reigning monarch in British history, who oversaw a period of immense change for the United Kingdom.
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, written by over 14,000 contributors.
This latest update provides a permanent legacy for those from Greater Manchester who influenced British life, culture, and society throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
