10 Others who turned down a knighthood

1. Michael Faraday, scientist: "I must remain plain Michael Faraday to the last"
2. Peter Higgs, CH, physicist, Professor of Theoretical Physics, University of Edinburgh; co-discoverer of the Higgs boson in 1999, because he felt honours are used for political purposes by the government. He later accepted appointment to the Order of the Companions of Honour, because he was (wrongly) assured that it was the personal gift of the Queen, in 2013
3. Francis Crick, physicist, co-discoverer of DNA; was also offered a CBE in 1963, but did not accept it
4. Stephen Hawking CH CBE, physicist, reportedly turned down a knighthood because he "does not like titles."
5. David Hockney, CH RA, artist (in 1990; accepted appointment as CH in 1997, and OM in 2012 because they are not titles)
6. L. S. Lowry, artist (in 1968; had previously declined appointment as OBE in 1955 and CBE in 1961; later twice declined appointment as CH (1972, 1976); holds the record for the most honours declined).
7. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum (in 1999); in 2010 he accepted appointment to the Order of Merit, the personal gift of the British monarch.
8. David Bowie, musician (in 2003)
9. Paul Scofield, actor (in 1968)
10. Albert Finney, actor (in 2000; had previously declined CBE in 1980)