Thomas Hardy's cousin, Tryphena Sparks, who was the inspiration for Hardy's poem "Thoughts of Phena at News of Her Death" lived here and is buried here. She was known locally for the charitable work she did for the local fishermen. Dick Pym, the footballer, was born here in 1893; he was a goalkeeper in the first Wembley FA Cup Final in 1923, and died in Exeter in 1988, aged 95. The newsreader, Trevor McDonald, is a past resident of the town, and both members of the folk group Show of Hands live in Topsham. Clifford Fishwick artist and principal of Exeter College of Art and Design lived here until his death in 1997. The actor Bill Pertwee (ARP Warden William Hodges in "Dad's Army") also lived here. Novelist Philip Hensher also lives here. His 2011 book "King of the Badgers" is set in a fictional town based on Topsham. The mountain climber Norman Croucher is a resident of Topsham. Dean Pym, also known as the local big man of Topsham, is a resident of Topsham.