THROUGHOUT history, Ilminster has produced a number of famous Sons and Daughters. Back to top Harding, Field Marshall Lord Field Marshall Lord Harding became Chief of the Imperial General Staff and was a pupil at the Grammar School. His statue stands outside the County Museum in Taunton. Back to top Speke, Anne Anne Speke lived at Dillington House which she inherited in 1753.

In 1756 she married Lord North who became Prime Minister in 1770. Back to top Speke, John Hanning John Hanning Speke was born in Ilminster in 1827. He Discovered the source of the Nile in 1862.

His house was demolished only a few years ago. Back to top Taylor, John Edward John Edward Tayor was born in Ilminster on 11 September 1791 and was the son of the Unitarian Minister at what is now The Meeting House. He founded the Manchester Guardian newspaper which later became The Guardian. He died on 06 January 1844.

Back to top Wadham, Nicholas and Dorothy Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham founded Wadham College, Oxford. They are buried at St. Mary's Church. Nicholas's parents are also buried there and there are some fine brasses on the Wadham tomb. Back to top