PR#1
Music
Paul Robeson
1898–1976American singer, actor, and political activist
54 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
Famous people · Princeton
44 famous people were born in Princeton, more of them scientists and doctors than in most towns
Paul Robeson leads the list, covered in 54 languages. Second and third on the list are Michael Bradley and Iris Chang. The largest group, 27, was born between 1920 and 1969. For every 10,000 residents there are 14.3 on the list, well above the typical New Jersey town’s 0.5.
Born here
44
notable people
Best known
Paul Robeson
in 54 Wikipedia languages
First
1772
Robert Finley
Youngest
2000
Unity Phelan
Most common field
Sports
11 people
Also called it home
16
notable residents
What stands out about Princeton’s famous people
A town of scientists and doctorsScientists and doctors make up 7 of the 44, 2.7 times the usual share.Still making names28 were born since 1950, the youngest in 2000.Known worldwidePaul Robeson is written about in 54 languages.A chosen home16 more notable people chose to live in Princeton, including F. Scott Fitzgerald.
★ What stands out · Known for
What Princeton is known for
No other field is as far above the usual share as scientists and doctors, at 2.7 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 Princeton’s famous people were born
The busiest decade was the 1960s, with 10 births.
SportsWriting & ArtsScience & MedicineFilm, TV & StageMusicBusinessNotableFaithPolitics & Law
Each dot is a person, stacked by the decade they were born.
The best known
Born in Princeton
By how many languages cover them, Paul Robeson comes first (54), then Michael Bradley (48) and Iris Chang (32).
#2
#3Writing & Arts
Iris Chang
1968–2004Chinese-American journalist and author of historical books
32 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
Everyone
Everyone else born in Princeton
41 more, from 1772 to 2000.
Henry B. Eyring
born 1933American Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
FaithWikipedia ↗
Michael Lederer
born 1956American novelist, short story writer, poet and playwright
Writing & ArtsWikipedia ↗
No one matches both filters.
A chosen home
Also called Princeton home
Notable people Wikidata lists as living in Princeton, though born elsewhere.
Robbert Dijkgraaf
born 1960Dutch politician, mathematical physicist and string theorist
Politics & LawWikipedia ↗
The town’s pick
Town Square →Who’s the most famous person from Princeton?
Pick one and say why. Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Your pick
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Next door
Famous people from the towns next door
The fullest list close by belongs to Franklin Township, with 3.
From Wikidata and Wikipedia: people whose birthplace is Princeton 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 (15)
- Michael Bradley: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Iris Chang: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Bill Browder: World Economic Forum from Cologny, Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Mary Chapin Carpenter: Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Garrett Birkhoff: Konrad Jacobs, Erlangen, CC BY-SA 2.0 de, Wikimedia Commons
- Jessica Hecht: The Make It Fair Project, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- F. Scott Fitzgerald: Nickolas Muray, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Thomas Kuhn: Bob Bielk, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Duncan Haldane: Bengt Nyman from Vaxholm, Sweden, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Joyce Carol Oates: Per A.J. Andersson, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Edward Witten: Ojan, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Immanuel Velikovsky: Photographer: Donna Foster Roizen. Copyright holder: Frederic Jueneman, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Avery Brooks: X-PRIZE, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Edmund White: David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Theodore Frelinghuysen: Mathew Benjamin Brady, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons