John Brown (1800-1859) Militant abolitionist; led guerrilla units against pro-slavery forces in Kansas.
Walter P. Chrysler (1875-1940) Prominent automotive developer. Born Wamega, Kansas.
Robert Dole (b. 1923) U.S. Senator from Kansas. Republican candidate for Vice President in 1976 Became Senate majority leader in 1984, and again in 1995.
Amelia Earhart (1898-1937) Aviation pioneer; first woman to fly over the Atlantic Ocean. Born Atchison, Kansas.
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) 34th president of the United States. Born in Texas, but was raised in Abeline, Kansas.
Frederick Funston (1865-1917) Hero of the Philippine campaign of 1898 and a leader of San Francisco's recovery after the 1906 earthquake and fire.
James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837-1876) Scout and frontier marshal.
William Inge (1913-1973) Playwright; won 1953 Pulitzer Prize for Picnic. Born Idependance, Kansas.
Emmett Kelly (1898-1979) Circus clown, mime.
Edgar Lee Masters (1869-1950) Poet; wrote Spoon River Anthology. Born Garnett, Kansas.
James Naismith (1861-1939) Physical education professor at University of Kansas; invented basketball in 1891.
Carry Amelia Moore Nation (1846-1911) Colorful prohibitionist and social reformer. Born Garrard County, Kansas.
Charlie Parker (Charles Christopher Parker, Jr. 1920-1955)Legendary jazz saxophonist.Born Kansas City, Kansas.
Damon Runyon (1884-1946) Popular journalist and storyteller.Born Manhattan, Kansas.
William Aiken Starrett (1877-1932) Built New York City's Empire State Building.
William Allen White (1868-1944) renowned writer and editor of Emporia Gazette. Born Emporia, Kansas.
Fascinating Fact
In Dodge City, during its cowboy/cowtown heyday, buffalo bones were used for currency.
Kansas adopted a state flag in 1925 and modified it in 1927 and 1963. The flag is predominantly blue and features a sunflower, the state floral emblem, appearing above the state seal, and the state name, appearing below the seal.
