People

The Wisconsin Historical Society provides information on many notable historical figures as well as cultural groups in Wisconsin, from the Aztalan and Mississippian culture to Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Ringling brothers. The Society's Dictionary of Wisconsin History features information on hundreds more people with roles in the history of the state.

Links to some of the famous people from Wisconsin

List some of Wisconsin's Famous People

Links to histories and biographies of the famous people of Wisconsin

People listed are almost always native to the state. We do (on occasion) include those that have either lived within a state for most of their adult life, or have made a significant contribution to the state in their personal endeavors.

Wisconsin Biographies, Famous People from Wisconsin

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation maintains a site on Wright’s life and work. Frank Lloyd Wright in Wisconsin provides Information about the architect and his buildings in Wisconsin that are open to the public.

A biography of the Chief Justice of Wisconsin's Supreme Court, who was the first woman to serve on the state's Supreme Court.

From the Wisconsin Historical Society, this biography explores Stephen Babcock’s dairy research at UW-Madison.

The Wisconsin Historical Society features this biography of the Wisconsin Menominee who was the first Native American woman to head the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The Wisconsin Electronic reader provides this illustrated account of the "Father of Modern Dairying."

Biography and links to writing by Increase Lapham, “Wisconsin’s first scientist” and founding member of the National Weather Service.

This former Wisconsin governor was also leader of the Progressive movement. The Wisconsin Historical Society collected documents and images from his career.

This site contains a brief biography of Leopold as well as links to other sites which provide information about Leopold’s life and work.

The Wisconsin Historical Society has converted the journal of his famous 1673 trip down the Mississippi with Louis Joliet into electronic form. Running commentary by WHS staff will try to pin-point their location, quote other contemporary accounts, explain archaic words and phrases, and offer insights that make reading the journal more fun.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Library features a photographic exhibit on Meir, who grew up in Milwaukee and became Prime Minister of Israel. A short biography of Golda Meir is provided by the Women's International Center.

John Muir (1838-1914) was America's most famous and influential naturalist and conservationist, and founder of the Sierra Club. This exhibit from the Sierra Club includes many resources including a section on places in Wisconsin that were important to Muir and a biographical timeline of Muir's life.

The Nelson Institute at UW-Madison and the Wisconsin Historical Society created a site with information exploring Gaylord Nelson’s life and Earth Day, the making of the modern environmental movement.

A brief biography of this Menominee leader from the Wisconsin Historical Society.

This is the place to meet Wisconsin artists who highlight their cultures and traditions in their art. Arts covered include crafts, dance, food, music and regional activities. Teachers can search for artists to give classroom presentations by ethnicity, location, art form or theme at this website from the Wisconsin Arts Board.

This site includes biographies, photographs and excerpts from the writings of 16 Wisconsin authors.

The Appleton Public Library provides the Edna Ferber Home Page which includes a biography of the author and a bibliography.

This site includes information, slideshows and video on O’Keefe’s life, art, houses and American Modernism.

(1867 - 1957) Author of the Little House books;born in Pepin.