#1Famous people · Portsmouth
46 famous people were born in Portsmouth, more of them writers and artists than in most towns
Articles in 74 languages make the American heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio the best known. Close behind are Thomas Bailey Aldrich and Ilene Woods. The list comes to 20.4 for every 10,000 residents, against 5.8 in the typical town in New Hampshire. Births span 1696 to 1997, from Benning Wentworth to Colby Stevenson.
Born here
46
notable people
Best known
Ronnie James Dio
in 74 Wikipedia languages
First
1696
Benning Wentworth
Youngest
1997
Colby Stevenson
Most common field
Politics & Law
13 people
Also called it home
1
notable residents
What stands out about Portsmouth’s famous people
Known worldwideRonnie James Dio is written about in 74 languages.A town of writers and artists10 of the 46 people born here are writers and artists, 2.1× the usual share.Deep roots21 of them were born before 1850, as early as 1696.46 notable peoplePortsmouth lists 46 notable people, more than most towns.
★ What stands out · The best known
Born in Portsmouth
Ranked by languages covered: Ronnie James Dio with 74, then Thomas Bailey Aldrich with 29 and Ilene Woods with 25.
#1
#2Writing & Arts
Thomas Bailey Aldrich
1836–1907American poet, novelist, editor
29 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
#3Known for
What Portsmouth is known for
The field furthest above the usual share is writers and artists, 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 Portsmouth’s famous people were born
The busiest decade was the 1940s, with 5 births.
Politics & LawWriting & ArtsFilm, TV & StageSportsScience & MedicineMilitaryMusicBusinessNotable
Each dot is a person, stacked by the decade they were born.
Everyone
Everyone else born in Portsmouth
Still to come: 43 more, from 1696 to 1997.
Caroline Kennard
1827–1907American amateur scientist and advocate of women's rights
Science & MedicineWikipedia ↗
Chester G. Osborne
1915–1987American composer, conductor, music instructor, trumpeter, and author
MusicWikipedia ↗
No one matches both filters.
A chosen home
Also called Portsmouth home
Notable people Wikidata lists as living in Portsmouth, though born elsewhere.
The town’s pick
Town Square →Who’s the most famous person from Portsmouth?
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Next door
Famous people from the towns next door
The best known from each town bordering Portsmouth.
From Wikidata and Wikipedia: people whose birthplace is Portsmouth 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 (25)
- Ronnie James Dio: Photobra|Adam Bielawski, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Thomas Bailey Aldrich: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Ilene Woods: Dave E. Dexter, Jr., Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Elliott Coues: The original uploader was DocTaxon at German Wikipedia., Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- John Langdon: Hattie Elizabeth Burdette, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Brooke Astor: Presumably Horst P. Horst, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Fitz John Porter: Mathew Benjamin Brady, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Peter Bonerz: CBS Television, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Alfred Thompson Bricher: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Celia Thaxter: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Wedgwood Nowell: Robertson-Cole Pictures (unknown photographer), Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Amos T. Akerman: Mathew Benjamin Brady / Levin Corbin Handy, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- James Thomas Fields: Julia Margaret Cameron, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Jean Kasem: Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Zack Conroy: Greg Hernandez, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Benning Wentworth: Joseph Blackburn, artist, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Charles Cutts: The Senate credits U.S. Senate Historical Office for the image., Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Josh Owens: Sakhalinio, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- James Sheafe: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Wesley Powell: New Hampshire Dept. of State, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- William F. Haddock: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Margaret Goodlander: Nate Payne, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- John O'Hurley: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Benjamin Randall: Image from: "Life and Influence of the Rev. Benjamin Randall: Founder of the Free Baptist Denomination" by Frederick Levi Wiley Published by American Baptist publication society, 1915, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- John Fremont Hill: James E. Purdy, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons