The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in Elgin, Illinois. For a similar list organized alphabetically by last name, see the category page People from Elgin, Illinois. Authors and academics E.C. "Mike" Alft, historian, author, and former mayor of Elgin Nina Burleigh, journalist and author Paul Flory, chemist; Nobel Prize winner (1974) Lloyd Hall, chemist Donella Meadows, environmentalist Jessica Mink, astronomer; co-discover of the rings around the planet Uranus John Platt, computer scientist Tom Shales, journalist; Pulitzer Prize winner (1988) Carleton Washburne, educator; author Dwight Smith Young, physicist with the Manhattan Project Business and invention Max Adler, vice-president of Sears & Roebuck; benefactor of Adler Planetarium Lawrence B. Hamlin, Hamlin's Wizard Oil purveyor Lysander Hamlin, co-originator with John Austen Hamlin of Hamlin's Wizard Oil Earl "Madman" Muntz, marketer, car stereo and 4-track cartridge pioneer James Roche, chairman of General Motors James P. Liautaud, industrialist, inventor and business theorist Media and arts Dan Andriano, musician BarlowGirl, Christian rock band Joe Becker, musician Bruce Boxleitner, actor Josh Caterer, songwriter, musician, singer Daniel de Marbelle, songwriter who wrote When They Ring Those Golden Bells Citizen Way, Christian rock band Jim Gaffigan, comedian, actor, and author Mitzi Gaynor, actress and entertainer, lived in Elgin George Hamlin, opera singer and son of John Austin Hamlin John Austin Hamlin, magician Matt Hoffman, contestant on Big Brother 12 Charles Ingalls, father of Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House on the Prairie); spent part of his childhood in the nearby Campton Township Laurence Kaptain, recording artist; Dean at the College of Music and Dramatic Arts, Louisiana State University William LeBaron, playwright and movie producer Kevin Martin, musician Norman Mayell, musician (Sopwith Camel, Blue Cheer, Norman Greenbaum) Paleo, born David Strackany, folk singer-songwriter Jane Peterson, painter and artist John Qualen, actor Courtney Reed, stage actress, original Princess Jasmine in Aladdin on Broadway Marie Sidenius Zendt, singer Military Harry Chamberlin, U.S. Army brigadier general and Olympic medalist in equestrian events Politics and law Ray Barnhart, Texas State Representative Robert L. Bergman (1948-2013), Illinois State Representative DeGoy B. Ellis (1876-1949), Illinois state representative and lawyer Thomas W. Ferry (1843-1845) Acting Vice President, US Senator Peter Fitzgerald, US senator (R-IL) Barbara Giolitto, Illinois State Representative Adam Neylon, Wisconsin legislator Sports Charlene Barnett (1928-1979), baseball player Ko Chandetka (born 1971), bodybuilder Earl Britton (1903-1973), football player Bethany Goldsmith (1927-2004), baseball player Harry Hanson (1896-1966), baseball player Hunkey Hines (1867-1928),