#1Famous people · Independence
Writers and artists stand out among the 51 famous people born in Independence
Most widely known is Ginger Rogers, the American actress and dancer, with articles in 80 languages. The largest group, 27, was born between 1920 and 1969. The list comes to 4.2 for every 10,000 residents, against 1.2 in the typical town in Missouri. 8 of them were born since 1970.
Born here
51
notable people
Best known
Ginger Rogers
in 80 Wikipedia languages
First
1844
Cathay Williams
Youngest
2000
Peggy Noland
Most common field
Writing & Arts
11 people
Also called it home
1
notable residents
What stands out about Independence’s famous people
Known worldwideRead in 80 languages, Ginger Rogers is known far beyond the town.A town of writers and artists11 of the 51 people born here are writers and artists, 2.1× the usual share.Still making names18 were born since 1950, the youngest in 2000.51 notable peopleIndependence lists 51 notable people, more than most towns.
★ What stands out · The best known
Born in Independence
Two of the three are performers.
#1
#2Politics & Law
Bess Truman
1885–1982First Lady of the United States from 1945 to 1953
55 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
AH#3
Film, TV & Stage
Arliss Howard
born 1954American actor, screenwriter and film director
27 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
Known for
What Independence is known for
Compared with the usual town, writers and artists are the most over-represented field, at 2.1 times.
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 Independence’s famous people were born
The 1940s saw the most births of any decade: 8.
Writing & ArtsSportsPolitics & LawFilm, TV & StageScience & MedicineNotableMusicMilitaryBusiness
Each dot is a person, stacked by the decade they were born.
Everyone
Everyone else born in Independence
48 more, best known first.
Margaret Truman
1924–2008American author of murder mysteries; daughter of 33rd President of the United States Harry S. Truman
Writing & ArtsWikipedia ↗
Cathay Williams
1844–1892American slave, chef, Buffalo soldier and Female wartime crossdresser
MilitaryWikipedia ↗
Geraldine M. Hoch
1924–1973US chemical engineer invented new ways to prevent corrosion on aircraft, key player in SM-62 Snark intercontinental cruise missile program at Northrop Grumman
Science & MedicineWikipedia ↗
Josh Tonsfeldt
born 1979American installation artist (b. 1979, Independence, MO)
Writing & ArtsWikipedia ↗
No one matches both filters.
A chosen home
Also called Independence home
One more notable person made the town home: Olive Oatman.
Olive Oatman
1837–1903American living in Mormon, Tolkepaya, and Mohave societies after childhood kidnapping
NotableWikipedia ↗
The town’s pick
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Next door
Famous people from the towns next door
Of the towns nearby, Kansas City lists the most people: 36.
From Wikidata and Wikipedia: people whose birthplace is Independence 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 (17)
- Ginger Rogers: Studio publicity still, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Bess Truman: Harris & Ewing, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Margaret Weis: Yoggysot, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Jim Butcher: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Margaret Truman: unattributed, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Jared Huffman: US Government, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Larry Young: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Daniel McVicar: irina slutsky from san francisco, USA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- William J. Randall: US Government, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Gary Bergen: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Austin Petersen: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Charles Thomas: CharlesSThomas.jpg: Ross Thomas derivative work: Scooter, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- William Fetter: Brant fetter, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Olive Oatman: Benjamin F. Powelson, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Ed Asner: Terry Ballard, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Pat Metheny: badosa, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Jacob Misiorowski: Drovetochicago, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons