BERNARDIN, REV. JOSEPH L. (1928- ): A Columbia native who began his religious career at St. Peter's Catholic Church, was appointed Archbishop of Chicago in 1982, and is a cardinal.
BOLDEN, CHARLES (1946- ): A well-known astronaut and native of Columbia.
BYRNES, JAMES F. (1879-1972): S.C. governor, Supreme Court justice, secretary of state, and presidential assistant to Frankly D. Roosevelt.
COOPER, THOMAS (1759-1839): Scientist, educator, president of the South Carolina College, and state's rights philosopher.
GIBBES, ROBERT WILSON (1809-1866): Physician, author, scientist, twice mayor of Columbia, and owner of the South Carolinian from 1862 to 1865.
GODBOLT, LUCILE(LUDY) (1900-1981): Gold medalist at the first International Track and Field Meet for women in 1922, the first woman inducted into the S.C. Athletic Hall of Fame, and director of physical education at Columbia College for 58 years.
GONZALES, AMBROSE ELLIOTT (1857-1926): A newspaper publisher and author who, along with his brother, started The State in Columbia in 1891.
GONZAlES, NARCISO G. (1858-1903): Controversial and feisty journalist, editor, and one of the founders of The State.
GRAY, WIL LOU. (1883-1984): South Carolina's "First Lady of Adult Education" and founder of the Opportunity School.
HAMPTON, WADE, III (1818-1902): A planter who served as Confederate general, state legislator, governor of S.C., and U.S. senator.
HEYWARID, DUNCAN CLINCH (1864-1943): Governor of S.C. (1903-1907) and author of Seed from Madagascar (1937).
JAGGERS, REV. CHARLES (1831-1924): Moved to Columbia as a young man and devoted his life to ministering to the poor, imprisoned, and aged.
NEWMANB, DEQUINCEY (1911-1985): United Methodist Church minister, field director of the S.C. Conference of the NAACP, and state senator.
SCARBOROUGH, WILLLIAM HARRISON (1812-1871): A noted portrait and miniature painter who lived in Columbia from 1843 to 1871 except for brief periods when he worked elsewhere.
SIMKINS, MODJESKA MONTEITH (1899- ): Civil and Hunan rights leader who championed the causes of blacks, laborers, the poor, and the mentally ill and helped organize the state chapter and numerous branch chapters of the NAACP.
TAYLOR, JOHN (1770-1832): Columbia's first mayor, state senator and representative, U.S. senator and congressman, and governor of S.C.
TAYLOR, THOMAS (1743-1833): Richland County's
founding father.