Famous women step out of the shadows

Biographies of Jean Hartley, a lifelong friend and Larkin’s first publisher, have gone in alongside Dorothy Mackaill - a silent and sound film actress and one of Humphrey Bogart’s leading ladies - and Emily Clapham (1857 - 1952) who produced exquisite gowns for high society ladies from a dressmaking salon in Kingston Square in the city.

Few people know of Hull’s heyday as a fashion centre, but at the turn of the century Madame Clapham successfully competed with the finest in London.

Even less well known is Dorothy Mackaill - born in 1903 the same year as famous Hull aviatrix Amy Johnson - who died in Honolulu in 1990. “She was somebody I hadn’t heard of,” said Prof Valerie Sanders who helped compile the 39 new entries, “But when you go into her details she had an extraordinary life. The point of this project is to find some new names and restore them to some of their former glory.”

The three are listed, alongside 36 other new entries from Hull, from the 17th to the 21st century. The special focus on the city comes ahead of its year at City of Culture 2017.

Also newly listed is the architect Sir William Alfred Gelder, who was key in transforming the city. The outstanding marine artist John Ward has been added, as has Beverley-born artist Fred Elwell.

The dictionary is a national record of the men and woman who have shaped British life in the UK and overseas from the Roman occupation to the 21st century.