Monkhouse Davison, 18th century London merchant was born in Carlisle and had homes both in Carlisle and
Dalston, Cumbria. His brother John, also a grocer, was Carlisle's mayor in 1765. Tea being shipped by Davison Newman and Co. was thrown into the harbour in the Boston Tea Party which led to the American Revolution and eventually Independence.
Janet Woodrow, mother of
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th
President of the United States was born in Carlisle. The President made a number of visits to Carlisle and the Lake District during his presidency, most famously on his "pilgrimage of the heart" on 29 December 1918. This visit is commemorated by a plaque on the wall at the Carlisle City Church on Lowther Street
Charlie Hunnam, actor, attended art college in Carlisle. Best known for roles in the series Queer as Folk, Sons of Anarchy and films
Pacific Rim and
Green Street.