Kansas Famous People

Famous Americans: History and Biographies

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

• Kirstie Alley (1955 - ) Actress starring in Cheers and Veronica’s Closet; born in Wichita.

• Robert D. Ballard (1942 - ) He discovered the Titanic shipwreck; born in Wichita.

• Walter Beech - (1891 - 1950) Outstanding pioneer of aviation; lived in Wichita.

• Gwendolyn Brooks (1917 - ) The first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize; born in Topeka.

• John Brown (1800 - 1859) Infamous abolitionist during the Civil War

• George Washington Carver (1864 - 1943) A great scientist, educator and humanitarian; graduated from Minneapolis Kansas High School.

•  Clyde Cessna - (1879 - 1954) One of the outstanding pioneers of aviation; born in Hawthorne.

• Walter Chrysler (1875 - 1940) Founder of Chrysler Corporation in 1925; born in Wamego.

• Charles Curtis (1860 - 1936) The first Native American to serve as US vice president (1929-1933); born near Topeka.

• Bob Dole (1923 - ) United States senator for many years; he ran for President in 1996; born in Russell.

• Amelia Earhart (1897 - 1937) The first woman granted a pilot’s license by the National Aeronautics Associate, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean (1932), and the first person to fly solo across the Pacific; born in Atchison.

• Melissa Etheridge (1961 - ) Popular singer and guitarist; born in Leavenworth.

• Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 - 1969) The 34^th United States President that served from 1953-1961; grew up in Abilene.
• James "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837 - 1876) A scout and U.S. marshal in the Old West.
• Omar Knedlik, Invented the first frozen carbonated drink machine in 1961; from Coffeyville.
• William Lear (1902 - 1978) One of the outstanding pioneers of aviation; lived in Wichita.
• Hattie McDaniel (1895 - 1952) The first black woman to win an Academy Award; won for her role in “Gone with the Wind”; born in Wichita.
• Charlie Parker (1920 - 1955) One of the most influential improvising soloists in jazz, and a central figure in the development of bop in the 1940s; grew up in Kansas City.
• William Purvis & Charles Wilson, Invented the helicopter in 1909; from Goodland.
• Susan Madora Salter, The first woman mayor in the United States, elected in Argonia in 1887.

• Clyde Tombaugh (1906 - 1997) The astronomer who discovered the planet Pluto; grew up in Burdette.

More Famous People of Kansas

• Roscoe Fatty Arbuckle actor, Smith Center
• Clarence D. Batchelor political cartoonist, Osage City
• John Steuart Curry painter, Dunavant
• Milton S. Eisenhower educator, Abilene
• Carl A. Hatch politician, Kirwin
• Dennis Hopper actor, Dodge City
• William Inge playwright, Independence
• Walter Johnson baseball pitcher, Humboldt
• Buster Keaton comedian, Piqua
• Emmett Kelly clown, Sedan
• Stan Kenton jazz musician, Wichita
• Harold Lloyd actor, Burchard
• Edgar Lee Masters poet, Garnett
• William C. Menninger psychiatrist, Topeka
• Gordon Parks film director, Fort Scott
• Zasu Pitts actress, Parsons
• Charles Buddy Rogers actor, Olathe
• Damon Runyon journalist, Manhattan
• Barry Sanders football player, Wichita
• Eugene W. Smith photojournalist, Wichita
• William E. Stafford poet, Hutchinson
• John Cameron Swayze news commentator, Atchison
• Vivan Vance actress, Cherryvale
• William Allen White journalist, Emporia
• Charles E. Whittaker jurist, Troy