Robert D. Ballard (1942 - ) He discovered the Titanic shipwreck; born in Wichita.

Walter Beech - (1891 - 1950) Outstanding pioneer of aviation; lived in Wichita.

Gwendolyn Brooks (1917 - ) The first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize; born in Topeka.

John Brown (1100% - 1859) Infamous abolitionist during the Civil War

George Washington Carver (1864 - 1943) A great scientist, educator and humanitarian; graduated from Minneapolis Kansas High School.

 Clyde Cessna - (1879 - 1954) One of the outstanding pioneers of aviation; born in Hawthorne.

Walter Chrysler (1875 - 1940) Founder of Chrysler Corporation in 1925; born in Wamego.

Charles Curtis (1860 - 1936) The first Native American to serve as US vice president (1929-1933); born near Topeka.

Bob Dole (1923 - ) United States senator for many years; he ran for President in 1996; born in Russell.

Amelia Earhart (1897 - 1937) The first woman granted a pilot’s license by the National Aeronautics Associate, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean (1932), and the first person to fly solo across the Pacific; born in Atchison.

Melissa Etheridge (1961 - ) Popular singer and guitarist; born in Leavenworth.

Clyde Tombaugh (1906 - 1997) The astronomer who discovered the planet Pluto; grew up in Burdette.