refusing to close his brewery which supplied provisions to the ships. In 1655, he petitioned Parliament against what he claimed were the unfair demands of Newcastle. Gardner, regarded as a local hero, had a High School named in his honour in 1933 near the former site of his cottage. The school, nicknamed 'Ralphies' by its students closed in 1994 and was redeveloped into the Gardner Park housing estate. A monument to Gardner was erected near the school. The family of Cuthbert Collingwood, 1st Baron Collingwood (1748–1810), a notable naval commander, and Edward Collingwood (1734–1806), a barrister who ordered the construction of Dissington Hall, had their seat at Chirton Hall in Chirton, now a western suburb of North Shields. The Collingwood Arms, a public house, was later built on part of that land before being demolished in early 2005 to make way for a retirement home. Academia Stanley R Dennisoneconomist and academic administrator Thomas Haswellwriter, musician, teacher and philanthropist Alan Johnsonpolitical theorist James Egan Moultonheadmaster and Methodist minister Michael Thomaslinguist Architecture John Dobsonarchitect J. Louis Salmondarchitect Arts Sam Ainsleyartist and teacher George Balmerartist John Chambersartist John Charltonartist Ken Currieartist Henry Hetherington Emmersonpainter and illustrator Myles Birket Fosterartist Robert Joblingartist T G Purvismarine artist Victor Noble Rainbirdwatercolour artist Lyddell Sawyerphotographer James Shottonartist Business Maurice Joelbrewer George Wallmerchant and coffee planter Wesley S. B. Woolhouseactuary Cinema, television, and theatre Fashion Lucy Ratcliffemodel Industry William Harbuttinventor of plasticine George and Robert Stephenson (father and son)pioneering engineers William Wouldhaveinventor of the lifeboat Law John Shank Morelawyer, academic and anti-slavery campaigner John Salmondlegal scholar, public servant and judge Literature Tony Bianchinovelist, poet, short-story writer and critic Niamh Calderwoodauthor Henry Treecepoet, novelist and teacher Ian Watsonscience fiction author Ross Welfordauthor Robert Westallchildren's author Medicine Byrom Bramwellbrain surgeon and pathologist Edwin Bramwellneurologist Edward Headlam Greenhowphysician George Grey Turnersurgeon Birger TvedtNorwegian sports medical and physiotherapist Media Carol Maliabroadcaster and journalist Military Tommy Brown (GM)youngest ever recipient of the George Medal Allan Grimsonformer Royal Navy Petty Officer who was convicted in 2001 of murdering two young men. John Herbert HedleyWorld War I flying ace Edward JenningsIrish-born British Army officer and recipient of the Victoria Cross (died in the town) James LeachBritish Army office and recipient of the Victoria Cross John NicholRoyal Air Force navigator Janet PilgrimBritish Army officer Music Politics Hastings Bandaphysician and president of Malawi Thomas Burtminer and Member of Parliament William Crawfordtrade unionist Stephen Parkinsonspecial advisor to the