Kate Middleton's Birthplace Features Lots of Famous People

Much has been written about Prince William's fiance, Kate Middleton, but not about where she came from or where she was born. When I first read she was born in the town of Reading I immediately associated it with the one in the U.S. To my surprise there are some well-known celebrities who were born and raised in Reading, Berkshire, England. Not only that, many celebrated literary figures have attended school or resided in Reading. Some have been imprisoned at Reading Gaol, now a juvenile detention center. Another fascinating note: There are some American connections associated with Kate Middleton's birthplace.

All About Reading

Catherine Elizabeth "Kate" Middleton was born at Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on Jan. 9, 1982. Later on she still lived in the county of Berkshire outside of Reading until she went to college. Reading has an enormous history dating to Medieval times. It was the site of a monastery with royal ties until Henry VIII closed it and established himself as head of the Church of England. The name Reading comes from an Anglo tribe called the Reada ingas or people of Reada. It is located in southeast England. Over the centuries it has evolved into a manufacturing center. Now it hosts one of England's largest music festivals. Besides Kate Middleton, there are other famous people who were born and raised or have resided in Reading.

The Native and Other Famous People from Reading

Kate Winslet portrayed the young American passenger in the epic film "Titanic." She was born and raised in Reading. Sam Mendes, the film director of "American Beauty" and "Revolutionary Road" was also born in Reading. The popular comedian on television in the U.S., Ricky Gervais, and electronic/New Age/world musician Mike Oldfied whose music was heard in the film "The Exorcist" was also born there too. Other notable residents of the literary world include Jane Austen. She attended the Reading Ladies Boarding School. The most famous of all was Oscar Wilde. He was imprisoned at the famed Reading Gaol in 1895 to 1897.

The American Connection to Reading

In the mid-1980s the American actor Stacy Keach was at Heathrow Airport in possession of cocaine. Afterward, he was later arrested. Keach was then sentenced to Reading Prison for nine months. William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, later returned to England and died in Berkshire. The city of Reading, Pennsylvania is named after the one in Berkshire.

It's interesting to see the strong connection between Kate Middleton's birthplace of Reading and the U.S. connection with the performing arts, literature and history from where she was born. I wonder if she'll visit Reading, Pa., after her marriage in April.

SOURCES:

Kate Middleton Biography, Biography Online

Tim Lambert, "A Brief History of Reading", LocalHistories.org

Movies Yahoo!, Yahoo!

About Mike Oldfield, Mike Oldfield Official

Reading Ladies Boarding School, A Jane Austen Gazetteer

Oscar Wilde - Biography and Works, The Literature Network

"Stacy Keach Out of Prison, Promises War on Drug Use", Los Angeles Times

Brief History of William Penn, US History.org

Berks County, Pennsylvania, Living Places