The Most Famous Person from Washington, D.C., Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the person you think is the most famous!
Updated on May 4, 2024 07:11
In the heart of the nation's political arena, Washington, D.C. has been the launching pad for numerous influential figures whose decisions have resonated well beyond the city's iconic monuments and historic hallways. Identifying the most famous person from this area helps capture the essence of American leadership and innovation over the years. It provides an interesting snapshot of the people who have shaped not just a nation but often the world.
This ranking lets you have a say in evaluating who stands out the most in a city known for its significant national influence. By casting your vote, you contribute to a collective opinion, helping paint a clearer picture of whose contributions have been most pivotal. It's a chance to engage with history and current events in a direct and interactive way.
Who Is the Most Famous Person from Washington, D.C.?
-
160votes
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza · Public domainBarack Obama
Barack ObamaFormer US President and the first African American to hold the office. Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, but spent a significant portion of his life in Washington, D.C. He served as a senator from Illinois before being elected president in 2008.Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States serving from 2009 to 2017. He is widely regarded as one of the most beloved Presidents in recent history. Obama's presidency was marked by his charismatic leadership style, focus on social and economic reforms, and efforts to promote international cooperation.- Presidency Number: 44
- Term: 2009-2017
- Leadership Style: Charismatic
- Domestic Focus: Social and Economic Reforms
- International Focus: Promoting International Cooperation
Barack Obama in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous alumnus from Columbia University
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous African American
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous person to have been kissed
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular Mii
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous leader
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous Scout
-
236votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainA legendary jazz musician and bandleader, Ellington was born in Washington, D.C. in 1899. He is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in American music history.Duke Ellington in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Duke
-
321votes
Engraved by J.C. Buttre from a daguerreotype. · Public domainA prominent abolitionist and social reformer, Douglass was born into slavery in Maryland but later moved to Washington, D.C. He was a passionate advocate for civil rights and equality, and his writings and speeches continue to inspire people today.Frederick Douglass in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous person from Rochester, NY
-
414votesA former Supreme Court Justice, Ginsburg was born in Brooklyn, New York but spent much of her adult life in Washington, D.C. She was a champion of women's rights and helped to pave the way for gender equality in the United States.Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. She was known for her intellect, groundbreaking legal decisions, and being a champion of gender equality. Throughout her life and career, she became an iconic and influential figure in American law and politics.
- Birthdate: March 15, 1933
- Deathdate: September 18, 2020
- Position: Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
- Appointed by: President Bill Clinton
- Service years: 1993 - 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Cornell alumni
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous attorney
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous person in Washington, DC
- Position 5 of 10 in Most beloved public figures
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous liberal
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous Jew
-
512votes
Tamla · Public domainA legendary soul singer and songwriter, Gaye was born in Washington, D.C. in 1939. He had a string of hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s, and his music continues to be celebrated today.Marvin Gaye in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous African-American singer
-
67votes
Marion S. Trikosko · Public domainThe first director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Hoover was born in Washington, D.C. in 1895. He served as FBI director for nearly 50 years and is remembered for his controversial tactics and investigations.J. Edgar Hoover in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous FBI agent
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous detective in real life
-
710votesA comedian and actor, Chappelle was born in Washington, D.C. in 1973. He rose to fame in the early 2000s with his hit TV show, "Chappelle's Show," and has since become one of the most influential comedians of his generation.Dave Chappelle in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous comedian in America
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular host of SNL
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous person from the Bay Area
-
85votes
Moffett Studio · Public domainThe inventor of the telephone, Bell was born in Scotland but spent much of his adult life in Washington, D.C. He is also known for his work on other inventions, including the photophone and the metal detector.Alexander Graham Bell in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous Alexander
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous pioneer
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous person in Nova Scotia
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous electrician
-
910votesA women's rights activist and suffragist, Paul was born in New Jersey but spent much of her life in Washington, D.C. She played a key role in the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.
-
107votesA musician and bandleader, Brown was born in North Carolina but became synonymous with the Washington, D.C. music scene. He is widely credited with creating the musical genre known as "go-go," which is characterized by its use of percussion and call-and-response vocals.
Missing your favorite person?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for famous person
-
National or international recognitionConsider how widely recognized the person is beyond the local area. Their visibility and fame on a national or international level can play an important role in determining their overall fame.
-
Achievements and contributionsEvaluate the person's impact and contributions in their respective field. This can include any notable accomplishments, awards, or significant work in areas such as politics, entertainment, sports, or academia.
-
Popularity and media coverageAssess the person's popularity and media presence. This includes their public image, media attention, and overall following on platforms like social media.
-
Enduring influenceConsider the long-term influence of the person on their field or industry. This can be measured by the lasting impact of their work, their contributions to society, or their ability to shape public discourse.
-
Cultural significanceEvaluate the person's impact on the culture and identity of Washington, D.C., as well as their representation of the city's values or ideals.
-
TimelessnessTake into account how well the person's fame has endured over time. A person's relevance and continued recognition can be an important factor in determining their overall fame.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous person from Washington, D.C.. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or person is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1747 views
- 170 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each person once every 24 hours. The rank of each person is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous person from washington, d.c.
Washington, D.C. is not only the capital of the United States of America but also the birthplace of several prominent figures in history. From politicians to musicians to athletes, the city has produced some of the most famous individuals in the world. Some of the notable names include former Presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Barack Obama, civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., musician Duke Ellington, and actress Kerry Washington. With such a rich history and diverse population, it's no surprise that Washington, D.C. continues to produce influential individuals who make a significant impact on the world.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
