VTVermont Famous People

Notable natives of Vermont

Over its 235-year history as a state (and longer as a territory before that), Vermont has produced notable figures across virtually every field of American life: politics, business, sports, entertainment, science, military service, civil rights, and the arts. Some are world-famous; others are remembered mainly by state residents. This page covers categories to give you a sense of the state's cultural and historical contributions.

US presidents from Vermont

Vermont is one of the 21 US states that has produced at least one US president. The "president birth state" leaderboard is dominated by Virginia (8 presidents — Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, William Henry Harrison, Tyler, Taylor, Wilson) and Ohio (7 — Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, McKinley, Taft, Harding), with several states tied for third. See the Wikipedia page "List of US presidential birthplaces" for the comprehensive list and details on each president's connection to Vermont.

Politicians and public servants

Vermont has been represented in the US Senate (2 seats since statehood) and US House (proportional to population) throughout its history. The state has also produced governors, mayors, US Supreme Court justices, ambassadors, cabinet members, and civil rights leaders. State politics historically reflects the broader political lean: Democratic-leaning in recent decades, though local politics can differ from the statewide trend.

Entertainment industry

Vermont has contributed actors, musicians, comedians, directors, and producers to Hollywood, Broadway, and the music industry. For comprehensive lists by category (actors, musicians, comedians, directors), see Wikipedia's lists of people from Vermont by profession.

Athletes — Hall of Famers and Olympians

Vermont has produced Hall of Fame athletes across major US sports (baseball, football, basketball, hockey, soccer, golf, tennis, boxing, NASCAR, etc.) as well as Olympic medalists across summer and winter games. The state has no major pro franchises but produces athletes who compete elsewhere. College athletics remain hugely important: many future pros begin their careers at state universities or smaller schools within Vermont.

Business and tech entrepreneurs

Vermont has produced founders, CEOs, inventors, and investors across many industries. Hospitality industry figures. Agricultural business leaders. For tech specifically, California, Washington, Massachusetts, and New York dominate, but every state has contributed to American business history. Many Fortune 500 CEOs grew up in or studied in Vermont.

Scientists and academics

Vermont hosts research universities, science museums, and (in some cases) federal research facilities. Nobel laureates and Pulitzer winners have come from the state — see the Wikipedia "List of Nobel laureates by country" for the breakdown by US state, and search Pulitzer's website for state-specific Pulitzer Prize winners.

Writers, journalists, and intellectuals

Vermont has produced novelists, poets, journalists, and historians who have shaped American letters. The state's libraries, literary magazines, and writing programs (particularly at major universities) have nurtured generations of writers.

Civil rights and social movements

The Civil Rights Movement of the mid-20th century included leaders, activists, and martyrs from Vermont. Earlier movements — abolition, women's suffrage, labor — also had Vermont chapters. Subsequent movements for racial justice, gender equity, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration reform, and economic justice have continued to include Vermont voices.

Military service

Vermont residents have served in every American war from the Revolution to today. Medal of Honor recipients, generals, admirals, and decorated combat veterans from Vermont have shaped both the state and the nation.

Where to find a comprehensive list

For the most thorough, up-to-date list of notable people from Vermont, see Wikipedia's "List of people from Vermont" or the state historical society's records. The state's tourism website often has a "Famous people" or "Notable natives" page. Local newspapers and university libraries are also excellent resources.

Vermont notable firsts

• First state admitted after the original 13

Vermont vs similar states

How does Vermont compare with 3 other states in the same region and size category?

State	Capital	Pop	Area rank	Admitted
Vermont	Montpelier	under 1 million	#45	1791
Connecticut	Hartford	1 to 5 million	#48	1788
Delaware	Dover	1 to 5 million	#49	1787
Maine	Augusta	1 to 5 million	#39	1820

Bordering states (3)

Vermont shares borders with 3 other US states, listed alphabetically below. Each link goes to the dedicated state page.

Similar states to Vermont

If this page interested you, you may also want to explore states with similar geography, history, or culture. These states share Vermont's region (Northeast) and similar size category:

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