Reading, Berkshire

Reading is a town and unitary authority in Berkshire in England, at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, halfway between London and Oxford. The district has a population of over 144,000. Reading is probably the most important business centre in South East England and outside Greater London, often referred to as the capital of the Thames Valley with the headquarters of some major British companies and the UK offices of a number of major foreign multinationals. The name Reading is pronounced to rhyme with bedding (in IPA {{IPA|/ˈrɛdɪŋ/}}).

Notable people

Notable current and former residents of Reading include:

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• Henry Addington (former Prime Minister; donor of land for Royal Berkshire Hospital)
• Jacqueline Bisset (actress)
• Daniel Blagrave (former Member of Parliament and regicide)
• John Blagrave (early mathematician)
• Kenneth Branagh (actor)
• Richard Burns (rally driver)
• Deon Burton (professional footballer)
• Hugh Cook Faringdon (churchman; last Abbot of Reading Abbey)
• Dawn French (comedienne)
• Ricky Gervais (comedian)
• Lenny Henry (comedian)
• John Kendrick (merchant and mayor)
• William Laud (former Archbishop of Canterbury)
• John Madejski (entrepreneur and philanthropist)
• Mary Russell Mitford (author, poet and playwright)
• Sam Mendes (director)
• Jeff Minter (computer programmer)
• Mike Oldfield (composer and artist)
• George Palmer (biscuit manufacturer)
• Michael Sprott (professional boxer)
• William Henry Fox Talbot (early photographer)
• Thomas Noon Talfourd (judge)
• Chris Tarrant (radio broadcaster; host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?)
• Alfred Waterhouse (architect)
• Neil Webb (professional footballer)
• Oscar Wilde (author, poet and playwright)
• Kate Winslet (actress)