Connecticut Famous People

Famous Americans: History and Biographies

Links to histories and biographies of the famous people of Connecticut. Many famous people of Connecticut have made significant contributions to the history of our nation and the state of Connecticut. These famous Americans, famous entertainers, famous players, famous scientist, famous singers, famous statesmen, famous women, heroes, great explorers, and others Connecticut famous Americans have all made Connecticut their home. This list includes Connecticut historical figures, celebrities and those individuals of Connecticut who have influenced the lives of others.

• Ethan Allan (1738 - 1789) American Revolutionary soldier; Born in Litchfield.
• Benedict Arnold (1741 - 1801) A captain of the Colonial Army turned British spy.  He is famous for burning down the town of New London; since then, his name has meant “traitor;” born in Norwich.
• Phineas T. Barnum (1810 - 1891) One founder of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus; born in Bethel.
• Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) (1835 - 1910) Author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; lived in Hartford.
• Samuel Colt (1814 - 1862) Inventor and founder of the Colt firearm company; born in Hartford.
• Charles Goodyear (1800 - 1860) Inventor of vulcanized rubber; born in New Haven.
• Ella Grasso (1919 - 1981) The first woman to be elected governor of a state; born in Windsor Locks.
• Dorothy Hamill (1956 - ) Olympic gold medallist and professional ice skater with the Ice Capades; grew up in Riverside.
• Nathan Hale (1755 -1776) A martyr soldier of the American Revolution; born in Coventry.
• Katharine Hepburn (1907 - ) Famous actress who won four Academy Awards for best actress; born in Hartford.
• Mary Kies, The first woman to receive a US patent, received on May 15^th, 1809 for a method of weaving straw with silk; from South Killingly.
•  Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (1908 - 1972) Congressman; born in New Haven.
• Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811 - 1896) Author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin; born in Litchfield.
• Noah Webster (1758 - 1843) Author of the first dictionary published in 1807; from West Hartford.
   

More Famous People from Connecticut:

• Dean Acheson statesman, Middletown
• Henry Ward Beecher clergyman, Litchfield
• John Brown abolitionist, Torrington
• Oliver Ellsworth jurist, Windsor
• Eileen Farrell soprano, Willimantic
• Robert N. Hall inventor, New Haven
• Collis Potter Huntington financier, Harwinton
• Charles Ives composer, Danbury
• Edwin H. Land inventor
• Annie Leibovitz photographer, Waterbury
• John Pierpont Morgan financier, Hartford
• Frederick Law Olmsted landscape designer, Hartford
• Kenneth H. Olsen inventor, Stratford
• Rosa Ponselle soprano, Meriden
• Benjamin Spock pediatrician, New Haven