EMINENT CITIZENS

The following is a much abbreviated list of prominent former and present “citizens” and associates of Great Barrington:

William Cullen Bryant: Poet, editor, writer, critic, activist.

Justin Dewey: Legislator and prominent judge. Presided at the Lizzie Borden trial.

W.E.B. Du Bois: Renowned African-American author, educator and civil rights pioneer.

Elizabeth Freeman (Mumbet): Lived in Sheffield and Stockbridge, but her legendary trial challenging slavery took place in Great Barrington.

Arlo Guthrie: Musician. Singer. Author of Alice’s Restaurant Massacree.

William Walker Hall: Photographic inventor and businessman associated with Kodak.

James Weldon Johnson: African-American poet and essayist.

Anson Jones: Last President of the Republic of Texas.

Chief Konkapot: Legendary Indian sachem.

Aaron Schroeder: Composer, songwriter, music publisher.

Laura Ingersoll Secord: Canadian heroine during the War of 1812.

William Stanley: His experiments with electrical transformers resulted in Great Barrington being the first community in the world to be lighted by Alternating Current electrical power.

Joseph “Vinegar Joe” Stillwell: Legendary World War II Army General.

Captain Truman Wheeler: Merchant, Town Treasurer, County Musket Master during the Revolutionary War.

William Whiting: Prominent judge, legislator and doctor during the Revolution War era and Shays' Rebellion.

Rev. Samuel Hopkins: First Congregational minister in Great Barrington. Became one of the foremost theologians in the country.