Famous New Yorkers Who Have Changed The World

New York City is home to some of the most influential and powerful people in the world. From innovators, to celebrities, to highly successful entrepreneurs, New Yorkers have made a lasting impression on the world. In this article, we will explore the top 10 famous New Yorkers who have changed the world.

1. Emma Lazarus
   Emma Lazarus was a poet from New York City who wrote the iconic poem “The New Colossus,” which is inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. Born in 1849, Lazarus was a philanthropist and a champion of the arts. Known as “The Lady of the Harbor,” her inspirational poem, commemorating the freedom and opportunity that immigrants to the United States have enjoyed throughout its history continues to define New York City and make it a place for all people.

2. Tim Berners-Lee
   Born and raised in London, Tim Berners-Lee moved to New York in 1994 where he held several positions at IBM, Boeing and O’Reilly Media. In 1989, Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web which revolutionized the way we communicate over the internet. He has dedicated his life to open source software and founded the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) which develops the standards for the development of the web.

3. Theodore Roosevelt
   Theodore Roosevelt was former governor of New York and 26th President of the United States. Born in 1858, his career in politics began as a member of the New York State Assembly and blossomed as he helped shape important pieces of legislation. His most notable achievement was leading the fight to establish the US National Park Service and he’s been referred to as “The Father of Conservation.” He also established the US Navy into one of the most powerful and respected forces in the world.

4. Richard Drew
   Richard Drew was an engineer and inventor, born in Michigan in 1899. He moved to New York and was employed by the 3M Company. In the early 1930s he developed a new kind of adhesive tape which became known as “Scotch Tape.” His invention helped make the industrial process more efficient, resulting in decreased manufacturing costs and increased profits for 3M as well as for companies all over the world.

5. Jean Nidetch
   Jean Nidetch was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1923. She struggled with weight issues before founding the Weight Watchers program in 1963. This innovative weight loss program has been credited with helping millions of people lose weight and live healthier lifestyles. In the process, Nidetch built a global empire which has earned her numerous honors including being inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.

6. Thomas Edison
   Thomas Edison was born in Ohio in 1847 and he later moved to New York City in 1872. He is noted as one of the most influential inventors of all time and is remembered for his innovations in electricity and other fields as well. Perhaps his most notable invention was the incandescent light bulb which changed the way people lived and gave birth to the electrical age.

7. Estée Lauder
   Estée Lauder was a cosmetics entrepreneur who was born and raised in New York City in 1906. She was the co-founder of the wildly successful Estée Lauder cosmetics company. She quickly rose to fame, revolutionizing the beauty industry by introducing and popularizing a variety of innovative skincare and makeup products. Her empire has since expanded to more than 25 countries and has become an internationally recognized brand.

8. Martha Stewart
   Martha Stewart was born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1941 and is a former stockbroker and one of the most successful entrepreneurs and lifestyle gurus in the world. She has published several books, launched her own cooking and craft magazine, “Martha Stewart Living,” and created a multimedia lifestyle empire with the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Company.

9. Adolph S Ochs
   Born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1858, Adolph S Ochs moved to New York in 1896 and became the owner and publisher of The New York Times. Under his ownership, the Times won its first Pulitzer Prize and gained recognition as a leader in American journalism. Ochs is also credited with introducing several industry innovations such as printing the paper in four sections, introducing the first color printing press, and establishing the Times Syndicate to distribute their news and feature stories.

10. Madonna
    Madonna was born in Bay City, Michigan in 1958 and she moved to New York at the age of 19 to pursue a career in music. She quickly became an icon of popular culture and one of the best selling female artists of all time. Through her music, Madonna became a major influence on popular culture and worked with various celebrities to bring awareness to various social issues.

The list of famous New Yorkers who have changed the world is long, and this article only captures a fraction of those who have made an impact. From innovators and entrepreneurs to celebrities and philanthropists, New York has a long history of attracting some of the brightest and most influential people in the world. These 10 people are a testament to that fact and New York City is forever changed by their contributions.