10 Baltimoreans in History You Need to Know

Baltimore has long been a hub of Black excellence, resilience, and cultural influence. From civil rights leaders to groundbreaking artists, these ten individuals have left a lasting impact on history. Many of them have schools, buildings, or landmarks dedicated in their honor, preserving their legacies for future generations.

1. Frederick Douglass (1818–1895)

• Lived in: Fells Point

• Legacy: Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park

  
  

  Born into slavery on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Douglass spent part of his youth in Fells Point, where he learned to read and write before escaping to freedom. Today, the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park honors his contributions to Black maritime workers and abolition.

2. Harriet Tubman (1822–1913)

• Lived in: Frequently traveled through Baltimore as part of the Underground Railroad

• Legacy: Harriet Tubman City Hall Building (formerly the Department of Social Services Building)

  
  

  Although Tubman was born on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Baltimore played a key role in her efforts to free enslaved people. The Harriet Tubman City Hall Building was renamed in her honor in 2022.

3. Thurgood Marshall (1908–1993)

• Lived in: West Baltimore (Upton)

• Legacy: Thurgood Marshall High School, Thurgood Marshall BWI Airport, Thurgood Marshall Statue at the Maryland State House

  
  

  Born and raised in Baltimore’s Upton neighborhood, Marshall became the first Black Supreme Court Justice. Schools and Maryland’s largest airport bear his name in recognition of his legal contributions to civil rights.

4. Billie Holiday (1915–1959)

• Lived in: West Baltimore (Pennsylvania Avenue)

• Legacy: Billie Holiday Statue on Pennsylvania Avenue, Billie Holiday Elementary School

  
  

  Born in Philadelphia but raised in Baltimore, Holiday’s early life revolved around Pennsylvania Avenue, a historic Black cultural hub. Her statue stands in the neighborhood to honor her contributions to jazz and civil rights.

5. Pauli Murray (1910–1985)

• Lived in: Attended school in Baltimore

• Legacy: Pauli Murray Hall at Johns Hopkins University

  
  

  A legal scholar, poet, and civil rights activist, Murray’s work laid the foundation for landmark Supreme Court cases. Johns Hopkins University recently named a building after her to recognize her legacy.

6. Lillie Carroll Jackson (1889–1975)

• Lived in: West Baltimore

• Legacy: Lillie Carroll Jackson Civil Rights Museum

  
  

  As the longtime leader of Baltimore’s NAACP, Jackson spearheaded local desegregation efforts. Her former home now serves as a museum documenting Baltimore’s civil rights history.

7. Reginald F. Lewis (1942–1993)

• Lived in: East Baltimore

• Legacy: Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture

  
  

  A trailblazing businessman, Lewis became one of the first Black billionaires. The Reginald F. Lewis Museum in downtown Baltimore showcases Black history in Maryland.

8. Vivien Thomas (1910–1985)

• Lived in: Worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital

• Legacy: Vivien Thomas Medical Arts Academy, Vivien Thomas Way (near Johns Hopkins Hospital)

  
  

  Thomas, a pioneering surgical technician, developed techniques that saved countless lives. A high school in Baltimore and a street near Johns Hopkins Hospital honor his contributions to medicine.

9. Kweisi Mfume (b. 1948)

• Lived in: West Baltimore (Sandtown-Winchester)

• Legacy: Kweisi Mfume Room at the Enoch Pratt Free Library

  
  

  A former congressman and NAACP president, Mfume’s contributions to civil rights and public service are recognized throughout Baltimore.

10. Ta-Nehisi Coates (b. 1975)

• Lived in: Mondawmin

• Legacy: His works are studied in schools nationwide

  
  

  A Baltimore-raised journalist and author, Coates’ book Between the World and Me is widely studied in schools and universities, solidifying his influence on contemporary discussions about race and identity.

Honoring the Legacy

These ten Baltimoreans shaped history through activism, innovation, and artistry. This Black History Month, let’s celebrate their contributions and continue to uplift the stories of Black leaders from Baltimore and beyond.

Who would you add to this list? Share in the comments!