#1Writing & Arts
N. K. Jemisin
born 1972American science fiction and fantasy writer
40 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
Famous people · Iowa City
Scientists and doctors stand out among the 54 famous people born in Iowa City
Most widely known is N. K. Jemisin, the American science fiction and fantasy writer, with articles in 40 languages. Behind the leader come Nate Ruess and Hill Harper. More than half were born between 1920 and 1969, 32 in all. Only one town in Iowa lists more.
Born here
54
notable people
Best known
N. K. Jemisin
in 40 Wikipedia languages
First
1871
Lucy Mary Cavanagh
Youngest
1982
Chineze Nwagbo
Most common field
Sports
18 people
Also called it home
3
notable residents
What stands out about Iowa City’s famous people
A town of scientists and doctors8 of the 54 people born here are scientists and doctors, 2.5× the usual share.Still making namesSince 1950, 35 of them have been born here, the latest in 1982.Known worldwideN. K. Jemisin is written about in 40 languages.A chosen home3 more notable people chose to live in Iowa City, including Chris Offutt.
★ What stands out · Known for
What Iowa City is known for
Scientists and doctors stand out most, at 2.5 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.
Through the years
When Iowa City’s famous people were born
No decade has more births than the 1960s, at 15.
SportsFilm, TV & StageScience & MedicineWriting & ArtsPolitics & LawMusicNotableFaith
Each dot is a person, stacked by the decade they were born.
The best known
Born in Iowa City
Three names lead: N. K. Jemisin (40 languages), Nate Ruess (30) and Hill Harper (28).
#1
#2
#3Film, TV & Stage
Hill Harper
born 1966American actor and political candidate
28 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
Everyone
Everyone else born in Iowa City
Here are 51 more, born from 1871 to 1982.
Frances Haugen
born 1980American data engineer, scientist, and whistleblower
Science & MedicineWikipedia ↗
Nancy Hogshead-Makar
born 1962American swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, lawyer, professor
SportsWikipedia ↗
Lawrence Donald Soens
1926–2021Fifth bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa.
FaithWikipedia ↗
Timothy Britten Parker
born 1962American actor; brother of Sarah Jessica Parker
Film, TV & StageWikipedia ↗
No one matches both filters.
A chosen home
Also called Iowa City home
Born elsewhere, they lived here: 3 in all, led by Chris Offutt.
Chris Offutt
born 1958American fiction writer and film producer from Kentucky
Writing & ArtsWikipedia ↗
The town’s pick
Town Square →Who’s the most famous person from Iowa City?
Pick one and say why. Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Your pick
No picks yet
Be the first to say who Iowa City’s most famous person is.
Or tell us
Next door
Famous people from the towns next door
Close by, the fullest list is Coralville’s, at 2 names.
From Wikidata and Wikipedia: people whose birthplace is Iowa City 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 (7)
- N. K. Jemisin: Laura Hanifin, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Nate Ruess: Katie Fricker, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Hill Harper: User:pd_THOR, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Allan Sandage: Rights NRAO/AUI/NSF Photographer Woodruff T. Sullivan III Photo Credit NRAO/AUI Archives, Sullivan Collection., CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Phil Morris: pinguino k from North Hollywood, USA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Nancy Hogshead-Makar: Nancy_Hogshead-Makar_at_National_Girls_and_Women_in_Sports_Day_briefing_2012.jpg: Medill DC derivative work: January, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Zach Johnson: Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons