
25 famous people were born within 35 miles of Oakland
Next door, Sumter lists 46, led by Jim Clyburn. Bernard Mannes Baruch is the most widely known, written about in 46 languages. Closest of all is Mary Boykin Chesnut, from Stateburg, 2 mi away. No town in South Carolina lists more than Florence, with 54.
What stands out about Oakland’s famous people
Famous people born near Oakland
They were born in 11 towns within 35 miles, nearest first.







Angelica Singleton Van Buren
1818–1877First Lady of the United States
Annie B. Martin
1920–2012American labor and civil rights activist

Mary McLeod Bethune
1875–1955American educator and civil rights leader






Drink Small
born 1933African American soul blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter
Who’s the most famous person from Oakland?
Pick one and say why. Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Be the first to say who Oakland’s most famous person is.
Famous people from the towns next door
The fullest list close by belongs to Sumter, with 46.
From Wikidata and Wikipedia: people whose birthplace is Oakland and whose English Wikipedia article agrees, ranked by how many Wikipedia languages cover each person. Nearby people are those born in a town within 35 miles; distances are town center to town center. People known mainly for crimes, and adult performers, aren’t listed. “The usual town” = everyone born in the towns gathered so far.
Photo credits (14)
- Bernard Mannes Baruch: Harris & Ewing, photographer, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Angelica Singleton Van Buren: Henry Inman, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Ja Morant: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Mary McLeod Bethune: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Jim Clyburn: Donald Baker, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Brook Benton: Cotillion Records, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Jay Ellis: ReverendPoppins, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Samuel E. Wright: CBS Television, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Laura Kraut: Longines Global Champions Tour Siegerehrung Kraut, Tops-Alexander, Dreher.jpg: Michael Kramer derivative work: Nordlicht8, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Virginia Capers: AP Newsfeatures Photo, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Mary Boykin Chesnut: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- John Gayle: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Sam Savage: Happywombat, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Joseph B. Kershaw: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

