#1Of the 7 famous people born in Lexington, an unusual share are leaders
At the top of the list is the American politician George Rockingham Gilmer, covered in 9 languages. Second place goes to the American politician William Harrell Felton, third to David Jackson Bailey. Most were born in the early republic: 4 of them. The oldest name on the list belongs to George Rockingham Gilmer, born in 1790, the newest to Shirley L. Bolton, born in 1945.
What stands out about Lexington’s famous people
What Lexington is known for
Leaders stand out most, at 3.4 times the usual share.
The usual town: the share across everyone born in the towns gathered so far. Tap a field to see its people.
When Lexington’s famous people were born
The busiest decade was the 1810s, with 2 births.
Each dot is a person, stacked by the decade they were born.
Born in Lexington
Two of the three are leaders.
#1
#2Everyone else born in Lexington
Of the other 4, 3 are leaders.


No one matches both filters.
Also called Lexington home
One more notable person made the town home: Catherine Brewer Benson.
Catherine Brewer Benson
1822–1908First American woman to receive a college degree
Who’s the most famous person from Lexington?
Pick one and say why. Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Be the first to say who Lexington’s most famous person is.
From Wikidata and Wikipedia: people whose birthplace is Lexington and whose English Wikipedia article agrees, ranked by how many Wikipedia languages cover each person. People known mainly for crimes, and adult performers, aren’t listed. “The usual town” = everyone born in the towns gathered so far.
Photo credits (4)
- George Rockingham Gilmer: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- William Harrell Felton: Mathew Benjamin Brady / Levin Corbin Handy, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- John Henry Lumpkin: Harper & Brothers, Publisher, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Bob McWhorter: The original uploader was MisterCake at Wikipedia., Public domain, Wikimedia Commons