Top 20 Cambridge University Notable Alumni!

Cambridge University, with its storied halls and centuries-old traditions, stands as an epitome of academic excellence in the heart of England. Established in 1209, the University of Cambridge has been at the forefront of innovation, nurturing some of the world’s most brilliant minds for over eight centuries! From Nobel laureates and prime ministers to scientists and cultural icons, Cambridge University notable alumni have all walked the paths of this institution. If you wish to be a part of this dynamic university, make sure to know the Masters at Cambridge University: Top Courses, Eligibility, Fee. Let’s dive into the lives and legacies of the famous alumni of Cambridge University.

Famous Cambridge Alumni

Every university has graduates who have gone out into the world and created history in different fields. The University of Cambridge is known all over the world for providing the best quality of education. But that's not all! Many of the well-known people in this world have one thing in common - they're all Cambridge graduates! Want to get to know some of them a little better? Have a look at our list of famous Cambridge alumni and the various fields they belong to.

Diplomat 

Appointed by the government, diplomats are responsible for representing the country's interests and conducting negotiations with other countries. This comes with great responsibility and value. As such, there have been a few famous Cambridge alumni who have done wonders in the field. Have a look at some of the most well-known diplomats in this list of Cambridge University notable alumni. 

1. Christopher Meyer

Year of Study: 1965
Field: History
College: Peterhouse

Starting our list of famous Cambridge alumni, we have Christopher Meyer, who was a British Diplomat. He served as the Ambassador to the United States and Germany. Born in Beaconsfield, he began his academic journey in the 1960s when he attended Peterhouse, one of the oldest of the Cambridge colleges. He was also the chairman of the Press Complaints Commission from 2003-2009. As the chairman of the PCC, Christopher, Cambridge University famous alumni, introduced several reforms to enhance the credibility of the commission, which are still well-known today!

2. John Sawers

Year of Study: 1976
Field: Philosophy, Politics, & Economics
College: St Andrews College

A prominent British diplomat and intelligence officer, John Sawers is also one of Cambridge University famous alumni. At Cambridge University, Sawers studied Physics and Philosophy, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976. He was a civil servant, intelligence officer, and diplomat. As the Chief British Permanent Representative to the United Nations, he navigated complex international issues, such as the Arab Spring and the Syrian Civil War.

3. Richard Henderson

Year of Study: 1969
Field: Biology
College: Corpus Christi College 

Richard Henderson is one of Cambridge University notable alumni. He is a renowned Scottish Molecular Biologist and Biophysicist who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of cryo-electron microscopy. He first pursued his undergraduate degree in Physics at the University of Edinburgh before joining the University of Cambridge. At Cambridge, he studied his PhD in Molecular Biology. In 2017, he won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on developing this technique, which enables the visualization of biomolecules in high resolution.

4. Sir Andrew Wood

Year of Study: 1961
Field: Modern & Medieval Languages
College: King’s College

Sir Andrew Wood also joins the esteemed list of famous Cambridge University notable alumni as a former British diplomat, specialising in Russian affairs. He served as a diplomat from 1996 to 2000. At Cambridge, Sir Andrew was a student at King’s College where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in History. He was also on the boards of several institutions and councils, such as the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce, the Foreign and Colonial Investment Trust, and the PBN Company.

5. Dame Rosalyn Higgins

Year of Study: 1955
Field: Law
College: Girton College

When talking about the University of Cambridge famous alumni, Dame Rosalyn Higgins had to make it to the list. Former British President of the International Court of Justice, she is known for being the first-ever female judge elected to the ICJ. She studied postgraduate studies in Law, later earning a PhD in the subject from Cambridge. Throughout her career, she made a series of substantial contributions to international law and diplomacy.

6. Sir Antony Arthur Acland

Year of Study: 1950
Field: Classics
College: Trinity College

Sir Antony Arthur Acland was a British diplomat and one of the most important additions to our list of Cambridge University notable alumni. He studied History at the university and pursued both his Bachelors and Masters here. He served as a British Ambassador to the United States and as the Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Additionally, he played an important role in the diplomatic engagement during the Cold War and many more significant events.

Scientists 

Scientists are known for creating, innovating, and evolving. Thanks to scientists, we live in a progressive world today, ready for new and improved changes. If you want to know which of these scientists studied at the University of Cambridge, then keep reading. Here are some of the University of Cambridge famous alumni who went on to become the world’s greatest scientists.

7. Isaac Newton

Year of Study: 1668
Field: Mathematics & Natural Philosophy
College: Trinity College

One of the most famous personalities known to humans, Isaac Newton, is a famous physicist and Cambridge University notable alumni. He was a mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, theologian, and author. Born in 1642, Newton attended the Trinity College at Cambridge and earned his degree in 1665. He discovered gravity and moved the world in regard to physics. He not only made students go crazy with his theories, he also played a huge role in the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment.

8. Stephen Hawking

Year of Study: 1966
Field: Applied Mathematics
College: Trinity Hall College

Next on our Cambridge University alumni list is Stephen Hawking. After finishing his education at Oxford, Hawking pursued a PhD in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. It was at Cambridge that he learned about his motor neuron disease (MND). He is known for his brilliant work on black holes and the theory of general relativity. One of the Cambridge University notable alumni, Hawking has also written a book on ‘A Brief History of Time,’ explaining complex scientific ideas to readers. 

9. Alan Turing

Year of Study: 1934
Field: Mathematics
College: King’s College

Meet Alan Mathison Turing - the one who cracked the enigma code of the Germans during World War II. With a movie telling his story, Alan Turing is probably one of the most famous alumni of Cambridge University. Renowned as a cryptographer, Turing was also a Mathematician, Computer Scientist, Logician, Cryptanalyst, Philosopher, and Theoretical Biologist. He created the Turing Machine that helped the world to delve deeper into the idea of a general-purpose computer!

10. Robert Oppenheimer

Year of Study: 1924
Field: Physics
College: Christ College

One of Cambridge University famous alumni, Robert Oppenheimer is known as the ‘father of the atomic bomb.’ He is an influential American theoretical physicist who was born in 1904 in New York City. Before studying physics at Cambridge University, Robert pursued chemistry at Harvard. He is also among the main members of the Manhattan Project, where he created the first nuclear weapons. His contributions to quantum mechanics and theoretical physics were also significant. 

11. Charles Darwin

Year of Study: 1836
Field: Priesthood
College: Christ College

Father of Modern Biology, Charles Darwin is next on our list of Cambridge University notable alumni. It was at Cambridge where Charles discovered his passion for natural science. He was an English naturalist, geologist, and biologist. He changed the world with his idea that all species have come from the same ancestor. Charles Darwin is considered one of the most influential figures in human history and is one of the most famous alumni of Cambridge University. 

12. Bertrand Russell

Year of Study: 1893
Field: Mathematics & Philosophy
College: Trinity College

Born in 1872 in Trellech, Wales, Bertrand Russell is a famous philosopher, logician, and social critic. He studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he initially focused on Mathematics, earning a first-class degree in 1893. He was one of the few people who were in defence of logicism in mathematics (basically, mathematics is, in some significant sense, reducible to formal logic); he was also the one who discovered the Russell Paradox (the paradox where every theory in mathematics that has unrestricted understandings will lead to contradictions). Also a Nobel Prize in Literature winner, Bertrand deserves to be on our list of University of Cambridge notable alumni.

13. John Maynard Keynes

Year of Study: 1902
Field: Competitive Mathematics
College: King’s College

John Maynard Keynes was a philosopher who shook the world of economics. One of the Cambridge graduates, John was the most influential economist of the 20th century. He changed macroeconomic theory, practice, and governmental economic policies. Initially, at Cambridge, John focused on Mathematics. Later, he was deeply inspired by his professors Alfred Marshall and A.C. Pigou, two prominent economists. He founded Keynesian economics, which revolutionised economic thought and policy. 

14. Niels Bohr

Year of Study: 1911
Field: Theoretical Physics
College: Trinity College

You must have definitely studied the Bohr theory (that electrons in an atom orbit the nucleus in a stable orbit) when you were in school. Niels Bohr is the man behind it. Born in 1885, Niels is a pioneering physicist and one of the Cambridge University notable alumni. After completing his doctorate in Physics at the University of Copenhagen, Niels moved to Cambridge to work under J.J. Thomson. He also is renowned for his contributions to quantum theory. 

Actors and Directors 

Actors and directors are what rule the world of entertainment. There is a lot of creativity that goes into becoming a director or actor, which is something the University of Cambridge can offer to every student. Have a look at the Cambridge University notable alumni who are now famous actors and directors.

15. Tom Hiddleston

Year of Study: 2006
Field: Classical Studies
College: Pembroke College

Are you a big fan of Loki, the god of mischief? Then you’ve probably been captivated by the charismatic charm of Tom Hiddleston. But before he was casting spells and creating trouble in Asgard, Tom was studying Classics at Cambridge. He participated in several theatrical productions here. One of the University of Cambridge notable alumni Tom has also played many other roles in various movies, like Kong: Skull Island, The Night Manager, and War Horse! Tom, the Cambridge University famous alumni has also earned a double first in Classics!

16. Rachel Weisz

Year of Study: 1993
Field: English
College: Trinity Hall College

Rachel Weisz is known for her roles in the famous movie, ‘The Mummy,’ where she played the role of Evelyn Carnahan. One of the famous Cambridge alumni, Rachel found her passion for theatre and acting at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. She graduated from the university with upper second-class honours. She has also won various awards for her roles in movies like The Constant Gardener, Blanche DuBois, and The Favourite!

17. Freddie Highmore

Year of Study: 2014
Field: Spanish and Arabic
College: Pembroke College

Everyone remembers the kid from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Shaun from the famous TV show The Good Doctor! Freddie Highmore is a famous actor who has starred as the main lead in both these movies and shows. He is part of the list of Cambridge University notable alumni not only due to his fame but also because he graduated with double first in Spanish and Arabic from Emmanuel College, making him a multilingualist! He has also won many awards due to his roles, like the Critics' Choice Movie Awards for Best Young Performer and the People's Choice Award!

18. Emma Thompson

Year of Study: 1977
Field: English
College: Newnham College

Did you fall head over heels for Elinor Dashwood in ‘Sense and Sensibility?’ Then you’re already a fan of Emma Thompson, one the Cambridge University notable alumni and a great actor! She is also known for her role as Sybil Trelawney in Harry Potter. Emma is the only actor to receive a two-time Oscar for both Best Actress (1992) and Best Adapted Screenplay (1995). She is not only an actor but also a screenwriter. She has starred in various movie roles, such as Me and My Girl, Tutti Frutti, and Fortunes of War.

19. Louise Brealey

Year of Study: 1990
Field: History
College: Trinity Hall

Louis Brealey, an English actress, writer, and producer, is the next addition to our list of Cambridge University famous alumni. She is one of the most famous people who went to Cambridge and developed a keen interest in the arts, particularly acting and writing. She has made her mark on the world through various movies and TV shows, like Sherlock, Chuck Chuck Baby, His Last Vow, and so much more! Additionally, this Cambridge famous alumni have also won various awards, like the BAFTA TV Award, for her contributions! Not adding her to the list of Cambridge University notable alumni would be considered a sin!

20. Sam Mendes

Year of Study: 1987
Field: English
College: Peterhouse College

Sir Samuel Alexander Mendes is another recognised member on our list of University of Cambridge notable alumni. Sam is a film and stage director, producer, and screenwriter, who produced films like Road to Perdition, Jarhead, and Skyfall. Sam has also won various awards, like the BAFTA Award and Laurence Olivier Award. Since he has graduated with first-class honours in English, he needs to be on this list of notable alumni of Cambridge University.

Cambridge University’s illustrious roster of alumni showcases a remarkable array of talent and achievement across diverse disciplines. From Isaac Newton to Tom Hiddleston, Cambridge has truly nurtured some of the most influential minds of our time. After reading this, if you’re also tempted to be part of this institution, then do learn about the University of Cambridge acceptance rate and strategies. If you aspire to join the University of Cambridge alumni network, ensure you acquaint yourself with their admission procedures and the range of exams like GRE and GMAT that they recognise.