Sir Martyn Arbib led the Perpetual fund management company during the late 20th century, unusually based in Henley-on-Thames, rather than London.
Arbib was a major benefactor in the establishment of the River and Rowing Museum at Henley, which opened in 1998.

Mary Blandy (1720–1752) lived at Blandy House her family's home in Henley, now a dental surgery.
In 1752, she was hanged for the murder, by poisoning, of her father, Francis Blandy who had opposed her engagement to a Scottish man who was already married.
She proclaimed on the day of the hanging in Oxford: "Gentlemen, don't hang me high for the sake of decency".
Mary is buried with her parents at St Mary The Virgin's Church, despite that being forbidden at the time for a murderer.
She is said to haunt the Kenton Theatre, the family house and St Mary's churchyard.

Sir William Hamilton (1730–1803), British diplomat, antiquarian, archaeologist and vulcanologist was born in Henley-on-Thames.

American science fiction writer James Blish (1921–1975) lived in Henley from 1968 until his death.

Jonathan Bowden (1962–2012) lived in Rotherfield Peppard (post town Henley-on-Thames) throughout the 1970s.

Russell Brand, English comedian, actor and activist, lives in Henley-on-Thames.

British engineer Ross Brawn, best known for his role as the technical director of the Scuderia Ferrari f1 team and former team principal of Mercedes Grand Prix.

Winston Churchill led the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars, (C Squadron) who were based at "The White House" on Market Place in 1908 and some years after that.

Sir Frank Crisp (1843–1919), first baronet, lawyer and microscopist, the ideator of Friar Park.
The "Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)" composed by the former Beatle George Harrison is dedicated to him.

Esther Deuzeville (1786–1851), as Esther Copley later a writer of children's books and works on domestic economy addressed to the working people, lived here with her parents until her marriage in 1809.
There is a plaque to her and her family in the United Reformed Church.

French general Charles-François Dumouriez (1739–1823) is buried at St Mary the Virgin parish church.

The Freeman family of Fawley Court: Several generations of Freemans lived at Fawley Court on the outskirts of Henley from 1684 to 1852.
They contributed significantly to the development of Henley and the surrounding area as well as more generally to architecture and the study of antiquities (John (Cooke) Freeman and Sambrooke Freeman), and veterinary science and equitation (Strickland Freeman).

Humphrey Gainsborough (1718–1776), brother of the artist Thomas Gainsborough, was a pastor and inventor who lived in Henley.
A blue plaque marks his house, "The Manse".

Musician and former Beatle George Harrison (1943–2001) purchased and restored the buildings and gardens of Friar Park, Henley-on-Thames in 1970, and lived there until his death.
His widow, Olivia Harrison, continues to live on the estate.
George and Olivia's only child, Dhani Harrison was raised at Friar Park.

Michael Heseltine, Baron Heseltine of Thenford preceded Boris Johnson as Conservative MP for Henley-on-Thames.

Tony Hall, Baron Hall of Birkenhead lives in Henley-on-Thames.

John Hunt, Baron Hunt of Fawley (1905–1987) had a house in Henley, where he lived from his retirement until his death.

Politician Boris Johnson was the Member of Parliament until he resigned after being elected Mayor of London in 2008.

Author Simon Kernick was raised in Henley-on-Thames.

Politician William Lenthall (1591–1662) was born in Henley-on-Thames.
He was Speaker of the House of Commons between 1640 and 1660.

Hugo Nicolson, music producer.

Jewellery historian Jack Ogden lives in Henley-on-Thames.

Author George Orwell (1903–1950) spent some of his formative years in Henley-on-Thames.

Broadcaster Andrew Peach lives in Henley with his wife and two children.

Prince Stanisław Albrecht Radziwiłł (1917–1976) is buried at St Anne's church, Fawley Court just outside Henley.

Singer Lee Ryan lives in Henley.

Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy lives in Henley.

Broadcaster Phillip Schofield
Sir Martyn Arbib led the Perpetual fund management company during the late 20th century, unusually based in Henley-on-Thames, rather than London. Arbib was a major benefactor in the establishment of the River and Rowing Museum at Henley, which opened in 1998.
Mary Blandy (1720–1752) lived at Blandy House her family's home in Henley, now a dental surgery. In 1752, she was hanged for the murder, by poisoning, of her father, Francis Blandy who had opposed her engagement to a Scottish man who was already married. She proclaimed on the day of the hanging in Oxford: "Gentlemen, don't hang me high for the sake of decency". Mary is buried with her parents at St Mary The Virgin's Church, despite that being forbidden at the time for a murderer. She is said to haunt the Kenton Theatre, the family house and St Mary's churchyard.
Sir William Hamilton (1730–1803), British diplomat, antiquarian, archaeologist and vulcanologist was born in Henley-on-Thames.
American science fiction writer James Blish (1921–1975) lived in Henley from 1968 until his death.
Jonathan Bowden (1962–2012) lived in Rotherfield Peppard (post town Henley-on-Thames) throughout the 1970s.
Russell Brand, English comedian, actor and activist, lives in Henley-on-Thames.
British engineer Ross Brawn, best known for his role as the technical director of the Scuderia Ferrari f1 team and former team principal of Mercedes Grand Prix.
Winston Churchill led the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars, (C Squadron) who were based at "The White House" on Market Place in 1908 and some years after that.
Sir Frank Crisp (1843–1919), first baronet, lawyer and microscopist, the ideator of Friar Park. The "Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)" composed by the former Beatle George Harrison is dedicated to him.
Esther Deuzeville (1786–1851), as Esther Copley later a writer of children's books and works on domestic economy addressed to the working people, lived here with her parents until her marriage in 1809. There is a plaque to her and her family in the United Reformed Church.
French general Charles-François Dumouriez (1739–1823) is buried at St Mary the Virgin parish church.
The Freeman family of Fawley Court: Several generations of Freemans lived at Fawley Court on the outskirts of Henley from 1684 to 1852. They contributed significantly to the development of Henley and the surrounding area as well as more generally to architecture and the study of antiquities (John (Cooke) Freeman and Sambrooke Freeman), and veterinary science and equitation (Strickland Freeman).
Humphrey Gainsborough (1718–1776), brother of the artist Thomas Gainsborough, was a pastor and inventor who lived in Henley. A blue plaque marks his house, "The Manse".
Musician and former Beatle George Harrison (1943–2001) purchased and restored the buildings and gardens of Friar Park, Henley-on-Thames in 1970, and lived there until his death. His widow, Olivia Harrison, continues to live on the estate. George and Olivia's only child, Dhani Harrison was raised at Friar Park.
Michael Heseltine, Baron Heseltine of Thenford preceded Boris Johnson as Conservative MP for Henley-on-Thames.
Tony Hall, Baron Hall of Birkenhead lives in Henley-on-Thames.
John Hunt, Baron Hunt of Fawley (1905–1987) had a house in Henley, where he lived from his retirement until his death.
Politician Boris Johnson was the Member of Parliament until he resigned after being elected Mayor of London in 2008.
Author Simon Kernick was raised in Henley-on-Thames.
Politician William Lenthall (1591–1662) was born in Henley-on-Thames. He was Speaker of the House of Commons between 1640 and 1660.
Hugo Nicolson, music producer.
Jewellery historian Jack Ogden lives in Henley-on-Thames.
Author George Orwell (1903–1950) spent some of his formative years in Henley-on-Thames.
Broadcaster Andrew Peach lives in Henley with his wife and two children.
Prince Stanisław Albrecht Radziwiłł (1917–1976) is buried at St Anne's church, Fawley Court just outside Henley.
Singer Lee Ryan lives in Henley.
Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy lives in Henley.
Broadcaster Phillip Schofield 
Henley-on-Thames