The following list includes notable people who were born in or have lived in Elgin, Illinois. For a similar list organized alphabetically by last name, see the category page: People from Elgin, Illinois.
Authors and academics
E.C. "Mike" Alft, historian, author, and former mayor of Elgin Nina Burleigh, journalist and author Paul Flory, chemist; Nobel Prize winner (1974) Lloyd Hall, chemist Donella Meadows, environmentalist Jessica Mink, astronomer; co-discoverer of the rings around Uranus John Platt, computer scientist Tom Shales, journalist; Pulitzer Prize winner (1988) Dwight Smith Young, physicist with the Manhattan Project Carleton Washburne, educator; author
Business and invention
Max Adler, vice president of Sears & Roebuck; benefactor of the Adler Planetarium Lawrence B. Hamlin, marketer and purveyor of Hamlin's Wizard Oil Lysander Hamlin, co-originator of Hamlin's Wizard Oil with John Austen Hamlin James P. Liautaud, industrialist, inventor, and business theorist Earl "Madman" Muntz, marketer, car stereo and 4-track cartridge pioneer James Roche, chairman of General Motors
Media and arts
Dan Andriano, musician BarlowGirl, Christian rock band Joe Becker, musician Bruce Boxleitner, actor Josh Caterer, songwriter, musician, singer Citizen Way, Christian rock band Daniel de Marbelle, songwriter; wrote When They Ring Those Golden Bells Erik Foss, artist and curator Jim Gaffigan, comedian, actor, and author Mitzi Gaynor, actress and entertainer; lived in Elgin George Hamlin, opera singer; son of John Austin Hamlin John Austin Hamlin, magician Matt Hoffman, contestant on Big Brother 12 Charles Ingalls, father of Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House on the Prairie); lived in nearby Campton Township Laurence Kaptain, recording artist; Dean at the College of Music and Dramatic Arts, Louisiana State University William LeBaron, playwright and film producer Kevin Martin, musician Norman Mayell, musician (Sopwith Camel, Blue Cheer, Norman Greenbaum) Paleo (David Strackany), folk singer-songwriter Jane Peterson, painter and artist John Qualen, actor Courtney Reed, stage actress; originated the role of Jasmine in Aladdin on Broadway Marie Sidenius Zendt, singer
Military
Harry Chamberlin, U.S. Army brigadier general and Olympic medalist in equestrian events William Francis Lynch, American Civil War veteran and US Army brigadier general
Politics and law
Ray Barnhart, Texas state representative Robert L. Bergman (1948–2013), Illinois state representative DeGoy B. Ellis (1876–1949), Illinois state representative and lawyer Thomas W. Ferry (1827–1896), acting President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate and U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald, U.S. Senator from Illinois Barbara Giolitto, Illinois state representative Adam Neylon, Wisconsin state representative Jeanette Ward, member of the Wyoming House of Representatives; lived in Elgin until moving to Casper, Wyoming in 2021
Sports
Charlene Barnett (1928–1979), baseball player Earl Britton (1903–1973), football player Bethany Goldsmith (1927–2004), baseball player Harry Hanson (1896–1966), baseball player Hunkey Hines (1867–1928), baseball player Tony Kaufmann (1900–1982), baseball player Scott Kellar (born 1963), football player Ed McDonough (1886–1926), baseball player Lou North (1891–1974), baseball player Brian Oldfield (born 1945), Olympic shot putter David Otunga (born 1980), wrestler Erwin Renfer (1891–1957), baseball player Flynn Robinson (born 1941), basketball player Rick Short (born 1972), baseball player Roger Smithberg (born 1966), baseball player Ray Whipple (1893–1973), football player
References