#110 famous people were born in Waterloo, more of them writers and artists than in most towns
Most widely known is Louise Blanchard Bethune, the American architect, with articles in 14 languages. The next two names are Randolph Rogers and George Bradshaw Kelly. 5 of them were born in the age of mills and railroads, more than in any other period. For every 10,000 residents there are 21.7 on the list, well above the typical New York town’s 3.9.
What stands out about Waterloo’s famous people
What Waterloo is known for
Set against the usual town, writers and artists come out 3.9 times as common.
The usual town: the share across everyone born in the towns gathered so far. Tap a field to see its people.
Born in Waterloo
Languages with an article: 14 for Louise Blanchard Bethune, 9 for Randolph Rogers, 5 for George Bradshaw Kelly.
#1
#2
#3When Waterloo’s famous people were born
Births peak in the 1870s, with 2 people born in that decade.
Each dot is a person, stacked by the decade they were born.
Everyone else born in Waterloo
Another 7, 2 of them writers and artists.




No one matches both filters.
Also called Waterloo home
Born elsewhere, Jane Hunt lived here.

Who’s the most famous person from Waterloo?
Pick one and say why. Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Be the first to say who Waterloo’s most famous person is.
Famous people from the towns next door
The neighbour with the most names is Seneca Falls, at 12.
From Wikidata and Wikipedia: people whose birthplace is Waterloo 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 (10)
- Louise Blanchard Bethune: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Randolph Rogers: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- George Bradshaw Kelly: "Rochester Democrat and Chronicle" (Rochester, NY)., Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Agnes Woodward: No photographer credited., Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Bill Chappelle: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Frank LaMar Christian: New York State Department of Correctional Services, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Edward R. Welles: Perry, William Stevens, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Jane Hunt: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Augusta Foote Arnold: Marble City Press, The Tuttle Company, Publisher, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Robert Seldon Duncanson: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

