P

Ann Packer (1942-)

Attended Wallingford Grammar School. She won a gold medal in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo in the 800 m (setting an Olympic record of 2min 1.1sec.), having already won a silver medal in the 400 m at the same Games.
http://www.times-olympics.co.uk/historyheroes/stgbo10.html

George Parker, 2nd earl of Macclesfield (c. 1697-1764)

Viscount Parker was Member of Parliament for Wallingford from 1722 to 1727, but is better known as an astronomer. In 1722 he became a Fellow of the Royal Society, and he spent most of his time in astronomical observations at his Oxfordshire seat, Shirburn Castle, which had been bought by his father in 1716; here he built an observatory and a chemical laboratory. Parker played a part in changing from the old to the new style of dates, which came into operation in 1752. His action in this matter, however, was somewhat unpopular, as the opinion was fairly general that he had robbed the people of eleven days. From 1752 until his death 1764 he was president of the Royal Society, and he made some observations on the great earthquake of 1755.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Parker,_2nd_Earl_of_Macclesfield

Thomas Parry (~1515-1560)

He was a servant to Elizabeth as a princess and as Queen, and was treasurer of the household. He was involved in Thomas Seymour's attempts to marry Elizabeth, but she remained loyal to Parry, even though his testimony led to Seymour's execution and threatened Elizabeth. Parry was MP for Wallingford 3 times between 1547 and 1555, and owned the bells of St Nicholas's College. He lived in Wallingford.
http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/Bios/ThomasParry.htm

Paul of Caen (d. 1093)

Paul of Caen, abbot of St Albans, rebuilt the abbey and enhanced its endowments and wealth. He recovered lands lost under his predecessors. He also established dependent cells, ruled by priors from St Albans, at Wallingford, Tynemouth, Belvoir, Hertford and Binham,

Philip d'Aubigny ((d. 1236)

Philip d'Aubigny was knight and royal councillor. He was supported John and was a witness for John of the signing of Magna Carta. He fought for John's army at the battle of Leicester. From 1227 to 1229 he was sheriff of Berkshire and keeper of the honour of Wallingford.

George Pigot, Baron Pigot (1719-1777)

George Pigot, Baron Pigot was governor of Madras ( India ). He joined the East India Company at the age of 17; after became governor and commander-in-chief of Madras in 1755. Pigot defended Madras against the French in 1758-1759 and occupied Pondicherry on behalf of the company, he resigned his office in November 1763 and returned to the UK where he was made a baronet in 1764. In 1765 he became MP for Wallingford, a seat he retained to his death. Returning to Madras in 1775 he fell into dispute with his council over the proposed restoration of the Rajah of Tanjore. Pigot was arrested and was still a prisoner when he died in 1777. Pigot's behaviour was censured by the court of directors in the UK. However, in 1779 the matter was discussed in parliament and four of those who were responsible for his arrest were tried and were fined £1000 each. Pigot, who left several illegitimate children, was never married, and his barony became extinct. His brother Robert Pigot also was MP for Wallingford.
http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/portrait.asp?LinkID=mp07740&rNo=1&role=art
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Pigot,_Baron_Pigot

George Pigot

Sir Robert Pigot (1720-1796)

Robert Pigot, born in Stafford , was a British Army officer during the American Revolutionary War. He was MP for Wallingford from 1768 to 1772, when he failed to achieve reselection. In 1775 he commanded the left flank of the British assault in the Battle of Bunker Hill.  He was placed in command in Rhode Island and made a Lieutenant General in 1778. In the Battle of Rhode Island he fought with 3,000 men against 5,000 men under General John Sullivan. He became Sir Robert, baronet in 1783. His brother George Pigot was also MP for Wallingford .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Pigot
http://home.comcast.net/~fredra/RhodeIsland.html
http://www.charlestownonline.net/bunkerhillbattle.htm

Edmund Plowden (1518-1585)

MP for Wallingford 1553-1555. In 1554, during the reign of the Catholic Mary Tudor he led 38 MPs in a revolt against the reintroduction of the heresy laws, which was aimed at persecuting Protestants. Proceedings for contempt against him were dropped. Under Elizabeth I, his political progress was curtailed by his being a Catholic, as she offered him the post of Lord Chancellor on condition of becoming an Anglican. He defended Catholics using his legal knowledge.
http://www.berkshirehistory.com/bios/eplowden.html
http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/Bios/EdmundPlowden.htm
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hadland/tvp/tvp5.htm

Edmund Plowden

John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk (1442-1491)

William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk (1396-1450)

William de la Pole, 4th Earl and 1st Duke of Suffolk was an important English soldier and commander in the Hundred Years' War, and later Lord Chamberlain of England. As a character he appears William Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part I and Henry VI, Part II. He negotiated the marriage of Henry VI to Margaret of Anjou in 1444. This earned him elevation to Marquess. He married Alice Chaucer, daughter of Thomas Chaucer, granddaughter of poet Geoffrey Chaucer. In 1434 he became constable of Wallingford Castle. He became Minister of the Crown and with Margaret of Anjou, ran the country. However, when the country lost power to France, he fell from favour, and was accused of building warlike munitions at the castle in support of the French. He was arrested in 1450 and banished for five years, but on his journey to France his ship was intercepted, and he was executed. His son John became John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk in 1463.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_de_la_Pole,_1st_Duke_of_Suffolk

William de la Pole