Dr Marion Phillips became Sunderland's first female MP at the 1929 general election; the first election in which women’s voting rights were equal to men’s. In July 1928 Dr Phillips sent a letter to all women in the town, stressing the importance to them of the 1929 General Election, due to its extended suffrage. At the time of the election, Sunderland was a difficult seat for Labour, despite being predominantly working-class. Nevertheless, she won and was one of only 14 female MPs in the parliament. She hadn’t actually intended to stand for parliament, but felt compelled to accept the nomination on behalf of women and the poorplaceholder image
Dr Marion Phillips became Sunderland's first female MP at the 1929 general election; the first election in which women’s voting rights were equal to men’s. In July 1928 Dr Phillips sent a letter to all women in the town, stressing the importance to them of the 1929 General Election, due to its extended suffrage. At the time of the election, Sunderland was a difficult seat for Labour, despite being predominantly working-class. Nevertheless, she won and was one of only 14 female MPs in the parliament. She hadn’t actually intended to stand for parliament, but felt compelled to accept the nomination on behalf of women and the poor | Sunderland Echo

I love the fascinating stories behind the people honoured with blue plaques in Sunderland

By Katy Wheeler

Lifestyle Editor

Published 13th Apr 2026, 14:20 GMT
Updated 13th Apr 2026, 14:20 GMT

This month saw the unveiling of Sunderland’s newest blue plaque, which honours the huge contribution The Bunker has made to the city’s music scene.

It joins more than 70 blue plaques in Sunderland, a nationally-recognised marker of historical significance.

However, while most recognise important places and buildings, far fewer honour people who made their mark on Wearside.

We’ve rounded up some of the people honoured in the city, from Sunderland’s first female MP to the civil engineer credited with helping to combat cholera.

A successful campaign in 2018 led to the unveiling of a blue plaque on the Boar's Head pub in the East End. A hero who saved dozens of people from drowning in the North Sea, Joseph had the nickname of Stormy Petrel because whenever a gale blew up, he looked for ships in distress so that he could help. Joseph was born in Dunning Street, Sunderland, in 1829 and was only 15 when he jumped into the River Wear to save the life of three-year-old John Snowdon. It was the first of many acts of heroism. By his mid-60s, Joseph had rescued the crews of 15 ships as part of a lifeboat team, as well as numerous people himself. He even won a gold medal from Napoleon III after coming to the aid of the stricken French schooner Les Trois Soeurs in 1857.

5. Joseph Hodgson, Boar's Head, East End

A successful campaign in 2018 led to the unveiling of a blue plaque on the Boar's Head pub in the East End. A hero who saved dozens of people from drowning in the North Sea, Joseph had the nickname of Stormy Petrel because whenever a gale blew up, he looked for ships in distress so that he could help. Joseph was born in Dunning Street, Sunderland, in 1829 and was only 15 when he jumped into the River Wear to save the life of three-year-old John Snowdon. It was the first of many acts of heroism. By his mid-60s, Joseph had rescued the crews of 15 ships as part of a lifeboat team, as well as numerous people himself. He even won a gold medal from Napoleon III after coming to the aid of the stricken French schooner Les Trois Soeurs in 1857. | Submitted

Photo Sales
Gertrude Bell, who was born in Washington’s Dame Margaret Hall, became the first woman to achieve a first class degree in Modern History from Oxford University. She was an extraordinary woman who made significant contributions in so many different areas, including archaeology, exploration and the politics of the Middle East. She developed a passion for Arabic cultures and became so familiar with the Middle East that she ended up working at a high level with British military intelligence in Mesopotamia, during the First World War. She was the only woman present at Winston Churchill’s post-war conference to discuss the future of the region and by the time of her death in Baghdad in 1926 had helped oversee the creation of modern Iraq.

6. Gertrude Bell, Dame Margaret Hall, Washington

Gertrude Bell, who was born in Washington’s Dame Margaret Hall, became the first woman to achieve a first class degree in Modern History from Oxford University. She was an extraordinary woman who made significant contributions in so many different areas, including archaeology, exploration and the politics of the Middle East. She developed a passion for Arabic cultures and became so familiar with the Middle East that she ended up working at a high level with British military intelligence in Mesopotamia, during the First World War. She was the only woman present at Winston Churchill’s post-war conference to discuss the future of the region and by the time of her death in Baghdad in 1926 had helped oversee the creation of modern Iraq. | Library photo

Photo Sales
Born in Stewart Street, Silksworth, Bobby first played for Silksworth Boys in the Sunderland and District Schools League. He played for Sunderland A.F.C. from 1925-1939 and was capped for England in 1935. His record of 288 goals scored for Sunderland AFC. still stands. A mural also stands nearby on the side of the Golden Fleece pub depicting the footballing hero.

7. Bobby Gurney, Silksworth

Born in Stewart Street, Silksworth, Bobby first played for Silksworth Boys in the Sunderland and District Schools League. He played for Sunderland A.F.C. from 1925-1939 and was capped for England in 1935. His record of 288 goals scored for Sunderland AFC. still stands. A mural also stands nearby on the side of the Golden Fleece pub depicting the footballing hero. | Sunderland Echo

Photo Sales
A blue plaque was unveiled in Sunniside in honour of William Herschel’s time spent living in Sunderland. The German-born genius has left a rich legacy, with discovering the planet Uranus, infrared radiation, two of Saturn’s moons and composing many great symphonies just some of his many achievements. He’s honoured in cities around the world and beyond, with even craters on the Moon and Mars bearing his name, and a remembrance stone laid in Westminster Abbey honouring his contributions to expanding our knowledge of the Cosmos.

8. William Herschel

A blue plaque was unveiled in Sunniside in honour of William Herschel’s time spent living in Sunderland. The German-born genius has left a rich legacy, with discovering the planet Uranus, infrared radiation, two of Saturn’s moons and composing many great symphonies just some of his many achievements. He’s honoured in cities around the world and beyond, with even craters on the Moon and Mars bearing his name, and a remembrance stone laid in Westminster Abbey honouring his contributions to expanding our knowledge of the Cosmos. | Sunderland Echo

Photo Sales
Previous
2 / 4
Next Page
Related topics:SunderlandHistory
News you can trust since 1873
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice