10 Leeds people who changed the world for the better

Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers.

By Andrew Hutchinson

Published 24th Feb 2023, 04:45 BST

Updated 11th Dec 2023, 16:25 BST

They are the round pegs in the square holes – the ones who see things differently. And the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things. You see those who think they are crazy enough to think they can make a difference, are the ones who do. Here are 10 Leeds mavericks who did just that. READ MORE: 21 famous faces who went to school in Leeds LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

Leeds people who helped change the world.

1. Leeds people who helped change the world

Leeds people who helped change the world. Photo: YPN

He was the courageous Leeds airman whose extraordinary bravery under fire saw him awarded the nation’s highest military honour. In August 1943 he was captain of a short Stirling heavy bomber that came under heavy fire whilst on a sortie to Turin, killing the plane’s navigator and a number of other crewmen whilst Flt Sgt Aaron himself lost the use of his right arm and part of his face. Determined to save his remaining crew despite his horrific injuries, severe injuries, Flt Sgt Aaron directed the stricken plane towards North Africa, returning to the cockpit to rally his fellow airmen and help them through a hazardous landing at Bône airfield, Algeria.
Nine hours after the landing, Flt Sgt Aaron collapsed and died of exhaustion. He was buried with full military honours at Bône Military Cemetery. He was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously in November 1943.

2. Arthur Aaron

He was the courageous Leeds airman whose extraordinary bravery under fire saw him awarded the nation’s highest military honour. In August 1943 he was captain of a short Stirling heavy bomber that came under heavy fire whilst on a sortie to Turin, killing the plane’s navigator and a number of other crewmen whilst Flt Sgt Aaron himself lost the use of his right arm and part of his face. Determined to save his remaining crew despite his horrific injuries, severe injuries, Flt Sgt Aaron directed the stricken plane towards North Africa, returning to the cockpit to rally his fellow airmen and help them through a hazardous landing at Bône airfield, Algeria. Nine hours after the landing, Flt Sgt Aaron collapsed and died of exhaustion. He was buried with full military honours at Bône Military Cemetery. He was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously in November 1943. Photo: Dan Oxtoby

Musician and bandleader Ivy Benson was the pioneer of ‘girl power’. The Leeds-born lass was one of the first entertainers to enter Germany at the end of the Second World War, at the request of Field Marshall Montgomery. She played at the 1948 Olympic Games, across the Middle East and in Vietnam. She was the darling of national TV and radio and played her last gig in 1980. She was born at the Malt Shovel Inn, Holbeck on November 11, 1913. Her father, Douglas, played with the Leeds Symphony Orchestra and Empire Pit Orchestra.

3. Ivy Benson

Musician and bandleader Ivy Benson was the pioneer of ‘girl power’. The Leeds-born lass was one of the first entertainers to enter Germany at the end of the Second World War, at the request of Field Marshall Montgomery. She played at the 1948 Olympic Games, across the Middle East and in Vietnam. She was the darling of national TV and radio and played her last gig in 1980. She was born at the Malt Shovel Inn, Holbeck on November 11, 1913. Her father, Douglas, played with the Leeds Symphony Orchestra and Empire Pit Orchestra. Photo: Getty

The suffragette who valiantly fought for women’s right to vote. Woodhouse-born Mary Gawthorpe - pictured far left - fought strongly for women’s rights from a young age. After qualifying as a teacher in the city, Gawthorpe became a socialist and was extremely active in the local branch of the National Union of Teachers, before becoming increasingly involved in the Women's Suffrage movement. In 1905, she joined the WSPU, just two years after it was founded. In 1906, Gawthorpe left teaching to become a full-time, paid organiser for the WSPU in Leeds. Gawthorpe spoke at national events, including a rally in Hyde Park in 1908, which was attended by over 200,000 people.

4. Mary Gawthorpe

The suffragette who valiantly fought for women’s right to vote. Woodhouse-born Mary Gawthorpe - pictured far left - fought strongly for women’s rights from a young age. After qualifying as a teacher in the city, Gawthorpe became a socialist and was extremely active in the local branch of the National Union of Teachers, before becoming increasingly involved in the Women's Suffrage movement. In 1905, she joined the WSPU, just two years after it was founded. In 1906, Gawthorpe left teaching to become a full-time, paid organiser for the WSPU in Leeds. Gawthorpe spoke at national events, including a rally in Hyde Park in 1908, which was attended by over 200,000 people. Photo: Third Party

He was the vicar who helped rebuild Leeds Parish Church. Walter Farquhar's appointment in 1837 came at a time when the city was undergoing a huge growth in population - he was reputedly responsible for a congregation numbering 125,000. However, when he took on his role in Leeds, Farquhar, aka Dr Hook, found the church in disrepair and ‘nonconformist’ wardens abusing their position and neglecting their duties. He opened a subscriptions book and raised enough money to cover the cost of the building of the new church, which was some £28,000. Hook was also instrumental in the raising of monies to build 27 schools, 23 vicarages. He was the Vicar of Leeds until 1859 after which he became Dean of Chichester.

5. Dr Hook

He was the vicar who helped rebuild Leeds Parish Church. Walter Farquhar's appointment in 1837 came at a time when the city was undergoing a huge growth in population - he was reputedly responsible for a congregation numbering 125,000. However, when he took on his role in Leeds, Farquhar, aka Dr Hook, found the church in disrepair and ‘nonconformist’ wardens abusing their position and neglecting their duties. He opened a subscriptions book and raised enough money to cover the cost of the building of the new church, which was some £28,000. Hook was also instrumental in the raising of monies to build 27 schools, 23 vicarages. He was the Vicar of Leeds until 1859 after which he became Dean of Chichester. Photo: James Hardisty

Hidden away in the grounds of St Stephen’s Church in Kirkstall lies the grave of one of its most famous sons. Richard Oastler was most famous for his campaigning for civil rights. He became known as the 'Factory King' after his campaign against children working long hours in the mills and factories. Born in Kirkstall in 1789, he died in 1861 in Harrogate and is buried in a crypt, only accessible via a set of gates.

6. Richard Oastler

Hidden away in the grounds of St Stephen’s Church in Kirkstall lies the grave of one of its most famous sons. Richard Oastler was most famous for his campaigning for civil rights. He became known as the 'Factory King' after his campaign against children working long hours in the mills and factories. Born in Kirkstall in 1789, he died in 1861 in Harrogate and is buried in a crypt, only accessible via a set of gates. Photo: YPN