Marion Anderson (1897-1993) – born in Philadelphia, PA, was the first African American to perform with the Metropolitan Opera

Mathias Baldwin (1795-1866) – an abolitionist who lived in North Philadelphia, manufactured the steam locomotive

Charles Cadwalder Family (18^{th century)} – a prominent Philadelphia family of businessmen, civic leaders, and supporters of the arts.

Bill Cosby (1937 - ) – an actor and comedian born in Philadelphia, PA; he was the first African American to star in a television series, I Spy, and to win an Emmy Award.

Thomas Eakins (1844-1918) – born in Philadelphia, PA; was a realist painter of the 19th century

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) – born in Boston, Massachusetts but lived most of his life in Philadelphia; a painter, writer, inventor, scientist, and a statesman; a delegate to the Continental Congress, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention

William Forten (1766-1842) – a free African American who worked on an American warship during the American Revolution; an abolitionist; a successful sailmaker

Stephen Girard 1750-1831) – a merchant whose fortune was used for philanthropic purposes

Princess Grace Kelly (1929-1982) – born in Philadelphia, PA; an actress who became the Princess of Monaco

Mario Lanza (1921-1959) – born in Philadelphia, PA; a famous tenor

Robert Morris (1734-1806) – a financeer for the American Revolution; a delegate from Pennsylvania to the Constitutional Convention

Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966) – a painter and illustrator born in Philadelphia, PA

Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827) – most prominent portraitist of the Federal Period

Hannah Penn (1671-1726) – wife of William Penn; governed the Pennsylvania colony after her husband’s death in 1718

Thomas Penn (1702-1775) – son of William and Hannah Penn; helped lead the Pennsylvania colony 33

William Penn (1644–1718) – Quaker founder of the colony of Pennsylvania; wanted a haven for the Quakers, a new religion founded by George Fox whose followers were persecuted in England and Ireland; Penn received a land grant from King Charles II in 1681 in payment for a debt the King owed to Penn’s father, Sir Admiral William Penn. King Charles II asked that the colony by named for Sir Admiral Penn, therefore, "Penn’s Woods" became Pennsylvania. Penn then sold tracts of land in his colony to others seeking religious freedom.

Horace Pippin (1888-1946) – born in West Chester, PA; noted for his primitive painting style

David Rittenhouse (1732-1792) – foremost scientist and mathematician of his day; an instrument maker, inventor, and astronomer; first director of the United States Mint

Benjamin Rush (1745-1813) – an American statesman and physician; served as a member of the Continental Congress; signed the Declaration of Independence; His important contributions in the field of medicine, especially the humane treatment of the mentally ill, earned him the title, Father of American Psychiatry.

William Still (1821-1902) – a freeborn African American; an abolitionist, writer, and businessman

John Wanamaker (1838-1922) – founded the first department store in the United States in Philadelphia, PA

Benjamin West (1738-1820) – born in Springfield (now Swarthmore, PA); an American painter of historical scenes and portraits