Notable Hileys

The Oxford English Dictionary defines notable as ‘worthy of attention or notice’. This is a collection of people with the Hiley surname who might be described in this way. Only deceased persons are listed.

Future Blogs will give some more details about these people but please contact me with your own suggestions, and provide a short biography if you wish.

Peter Haviland Hiley 1921-2008

A theatre company manager, Peter Hiley devoted himself to Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, and, after their deaths, to their estates and families. Olivier called Hiley his "fixer of fixers". He was a director of the Olivier Foundation, the Old Vic Trust Ltd and of the Royal Victoria Hall Foundation.

Joseph Hiley 1902-1989

A Conservative party politician and M.P. for Pudsey for 15 years and previously Lord Mayor of Leeds.

Sir Ernest Haviland Hiley 1870-1943

Usually went by his middle name of Haviland. Father of Peter above. He was general manager of New Zealand Railways during WW1 and later chairman of the Rhodesian Railway Commission.

Sir Thomas Alfred (Tom) Hiley 1905-1990

Accountant and politician. He was treasurer of the Australian state of Queensland and leader of the Liberal party in Queensland.

Richard Hiley 1798-1872

Author of a number of school books on Arithmetic, English, Latin and Geography. Lived in Leeds and opened his own schools.

Captain Frank Hiley d. 1918

The most highly ranked Hiley killed in the First World War. From Pontefract in Yorkshire. He died in 1918 aged 24. Served in the Yorkshire Regiment and rose from the ranks and became Captain through his own efforts.

Peter Hiley 1598-1675

Twice mayor of Poole, he entertained Charles II at his home in 1665.

Mary Hiley 1722-1778

Great granddaughter of Peter above, Mary married Dr Anthony Addington, a Royal Physician, and was the mother of Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, the U.K. Prime Minister from 1801 to 1804.

Wilfred Hiley 1886-1961

A forestry economist, he received an OBE in recognition of his services to forestry. Manager of the Dartington Hall woodlands, he wrote a number of books and lectured on woodland management.

Sir Ernest Varvill Hiley 1868-1949

Born in Yeadon, Yorkshire, a solicitor and town clerk, and also M.P. and a member of Royal Commissions. Knighted in 1918.