This is a list of notable people who have been or are associated with Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea. This list is arranged alphabetically by surname:
John Logie Baird (1888–1946), lived in Hastings in the 1920s where he carried out experiments that led to the transmission of the first television image.[7]
Emma Blocksage (born 1979) (Emma B), model turned bodybuilder. Born in Hastings.[16]
Barbara Bodichon (1827–1890), advocate of women's rights, painter and founder of Girton College. Spent her childhood in Hastings and retained connections through her life[17]
Elsie Bowerman (1889–1973), suffragette, RMS Titanic survivor, and early female barrister. Her parents lived and worked in Hastings and St Leonards; she was raised, campaigned and lived there at various times.
Dr Gerald Brodribb (1915–1999), cricket historian, author and archaeologist. Born in St Leonards-on-Sea and owned Hydneye House school in Hastings.[25]
Nikki Bull (born 1981), footballer. Born and brought up in Hastings.[26]
Shayne Burgess (born 1964), darts player known as Bulldog. Born and lives in Hastings.[27]
Edward Burra (1905–1976), painter, draughtsman, and printmaker. Lived and died in Hastings.[28]
Moss Burmester (born 1981), New Zealand professional swimmer. Competed in 2008 Summer Olympics in the Men's 200m Butterfly against famous American Swimmer Michael Phelps and came in 4th place with a New Zealand record breaking time of 1:54:35. Born and raised in Hastings
Paul Burston (born 1965), author and journalist. Lives in Hastings. Burston's 2019 novel, The Closer I Get, is partly set in the town.[29]
James Burton (1761–1837), builder and developer, founder of the new seaside town of St Leonards-on-Sea.[31]
Decimus Burton (1800–1881), son of James Burton, architect and garden designer, continued his father's work.[31]
C
Edward Capell (1713–1781). Shakespearian critic and censor of plays. Lived in Hastings.[32]
Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881), man of letters. Lived at 117 Marina in the summer of 1864, in order to be near his ailing wife Jane Carlyle, who was in possession of caretakers.
Liane Carroll (born 1964), jazz musician, pianist, vocalist. Raised and lives in Hastings.[33]
Richard D'Oyly Carte (1844–1901), founder of the Savoy Theatre, Savoy Hotel, and D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. Mother lived in Hastings, he is buried at Fairlight.[citation needed]
Tom Chaplin (born 1979), lead vocalist of rock band Keane. Born in Hastings with many connections to the local area (or Strangeland).[34]
George Chapman (1865–1903) (Seweryn Klosowski) murderer, Jack the Ripper suspect. Lived and worked (and murdered) for a time in Hastings.[35]
Paul Denman (born 1957), songwriter and bass guitarist with the band Sade. Lives in St Leonards with his fashion designer wife Kim Denman.[44]
Eugénie de Montijo (1826–1920), 16th Countess of Teba and 15th Marchioness of Ardales, the last Empress consort of the French. Stayed in Hastings as a refugee.[citation needed]
John Digweed (born 1967), DJ, record producer and actor. Born in Hastings.[45]
Tymon Dogg (Stephen John Murray) (born 1950) singer-songwriter, musician. Lives in Hastings.[46]
Barry Dransfield (living), folk singer, fiddler, cellist and guitarist. Lives and works in Hastings.[47]
Sir Alfred Dyer (1865–1947), journalist, chief executive, and Conservative Party politician. Lived in Hastings and died in St Leonards.[48]
E
Elizabeth Eiloart (1827–1898), novelist (as Mrs C. J. Eiloart), feminist and suffragist. Retired to St Leonards.[49]
Ernest Elmore (1901–1957), theatre producer, director, writer (as "John Bude"). Died in Hastings.[50]
Maya Evans (born 1979), political activist, peace campaigner. From Hastings.[51]
F
Jo Fairley (born 1956), journalist, entrepreneur and co-founder of Green & Black's. Lives in Hastings Old Town.[52]
Houn Jiyu-Kennett (1924–1996) (Peggy Teresa Nancy Kennett), Rōshi (Zen Buddhist teacher). Born in St Leonards.[72]
Thomas H. Jukes (1906–1999), biologist known for nutrition, molecular evolution, and public engagement with controversial scientific issues. Born in Hastings.
Jules Knight (born 1981) (Julian Kaye), singer, actor. Born and raised in Hastings.[76]
L
Anne Lister (3 April 1791 – 22 September 1840), resided in 15 Pelham Crescent in the early 1820s for a short period before returning to Shibden Hall, Halifax.
^Brand, Jo (2009). Look Back in Hunger: The Autobiography. Headline Book Publishing. ISBN978-0-7553-5524-2.
^Stacey, Tom (2005). Thomas Brassey: The Greatest Railway Builder in the World. Stacey International. ISBN1905299095.
^Craig, F. W. S. (1989) [1977]. British parliamentary election results 1832–1885 (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 109. ISBN0-900178-26-4.
^"The Hastings Rarities Affair". Hastings Museum and Art Gallery. Retrieved 28 May 2016. In spite of the fact that the authors of the report had wished 'to record our warning against the use of the investigation to seek to fasten any sort of guilt on any person or persons, living or dead', the newspapers of the day selected the local gunsmith and taxidermist, George Bristow, as the individual most likely to have the means and motive to perpetrate the alleged fraud.