List of Belgians
This is a list of notable Belgian people who either:
- are or were Belgian citizens during at least one period of their life,
- were born in Belgium or in the provinces of present-day Belgium, but who were not or are not Belgian citizens (either because Belgium did not exist at the time of their life or because they had or have another citizenship). The names of people of this category are italicized.
The list also comprises
- fictional characters who are undisputedly Belgians
- important ones whose citizenship is unknown or not Belgian and with Belgian creators. The names of fictional characters of this category are italicized.
The same person may appear under several headings.
Artists
Main article: List of Belgian architects
- Xaveer De Geyter (born 1957)
- Paul Hankar (1859–1901)
- Victor Horta (1861–1947)
- Paul Saintenoy (1862–1952)
- Gustave Strauven (1878–1919)
- Henry Van de Velde (1863–1957)
- Bob Van Reeth (Born 1943)
- Jules Wabbes (1919–1974)
- Hendrik Beyaert (1823-1894)
- Michel de Kemmeter (born 1964)
- Nicolas Ancion (born 1971)
- Gentil Theodoor Antheunis (1840–1907)
- Pieter Aspe (born 1953)
- Henry Bauchau (1913-2012)
- Jean-Marie Berckmans
- Anton Bergmann (1835–1874)
- Philipp Blommaert (1809–1871)
- Louis Paul Boon (1912–1979)
- Elisa Brune (born 1966)
- Herman Brusselmans (born 1957)
- Cyriel Buysse (1859–1932)
- Emile Cammaerts (1878–1953)
- Ernest Claes (1885–1968)
- Hugo Claus (1929–2008)
- Hendrik Conscience (1812–1883)
- Julio Cortázar, Argentinian writer born in Brussels
- Joanna Courtmans (1811–1890)
- Fernand Crommelynck
- Johan Daisne
- Jacques Danois (1927–2008)
- Johan Michiel Dautzenberg (1808–1869)
- Herman de Coninck (1944–1997)
- Charles De Coster (1827–1879)
- Julius de Geyter (1830–1905)
- Michel De Ghelderode (1898–1962)
- Lodewijk de Koninck (1838–1924)
- Gilbert Delahaye
- Patricia de Martelaere
- Pol de Mont (1857–1931)
- Filip De Pillecyn (1891–1962)
- Paul De Wispelaere
- Christine D'Haen
- Neel Doff (1858–1942)
- Maria Doolaeghe (1803–1884)
- Gaston Durnez (1928 – )
- Georges Eekhoud
- Willem Elsschot
- Jef Geeraerts
- Guido Gezelle
- Marnix Gijsen (1899–1984)
- Maurice Gilliams
- Jacqueline Harpman
- Kristien Hemmerechts
- Stefan Hertmans
- Henry Kistemaeckers- novelist, and playwright (1872–1938)
- Hubert Lampo
- Tom Lanoye
- Karel Lodewijk Ledeganck (1805–1847)
- Camille Lemonnier
- Suzanne Lilar – essayist, novelist, and playwright (1901–1992)
- Rosalie Loveling (1834–1875)
- Virginie Loveling (1836–1923)
- Maurice Maeterlinck – Nobel Prize in Literature 1911
- Marcel Mariën – surrealist
- Bob Mendes
- Pierre Mertens
- Henri Michaux – poet and painter
- Ivo Michiels
- Erwin Mortier – novelist, essayist, poet.
- Alice Nahon
- Leonard Nolens
- Amélie Nothomb
- Pierre Nothomb
- Paul Nougé – surrealist
- Octave Pirmez
- Charles Plisnier (Prix Goncourt 1937)
- Sophie Podolski (1953–1974)
- Anne Provoost
- Jean Ray (pseudonym for Raymundus Joannes de Kremer (1887–1964)
- Frans Rens (1805–1874)
- Albrecht Rodenbach
- Georges Rodenbach – Symbolist poet and novelist
- Maria Rosseels (1916–2005)
- Ward Ruyslinck
- Georges Simenon
- Jan Lambrecht Domien Sleeckx (1818–1901)
- Ferdinand Augustijn Snellaert (1809–1872)
- August Snieders (1825–1904)
- Jan Renier Snieders (1812–1888)
- Reimond Stijns (1850–1905)
- Stijn Streuvels
- Herman Teirlinck
- Isidoor Teirlinck (1851–1934)
- Jotie T'Hooft
- Felix Timmermans
- Jan van Beers (1852–1927)
- Jos Vandeloo
- Walter van den Broeck
- Karel van de Woestijne
- Prudens van Duyse (1804–1859)
- Raoul Vaneigem
- Peter Frans Van Kerckhoven (1818–1857)
- Jacob van Maerlant
- Paul Van Ostaijen
- Jan Theodoor van Rijswijck (1811–1849)
- Anton van Wilderode (1918–1998)
- Emile Verhaeren
- Peter Verhelst
- Dimitri Verhulst
- August Vermeylen (1872–1945)
- Gerard Walschap
- Francois Weyergans
- Jan Frans Willems (1793–1846)
- Marguerite Yourcenar, French novelist born in Belgium
Businesspeople and economists
- Albert Frère – self made businessman
- Alexandre Galopin (1879–1944) – director of the Société Générale de Belgique
- Alfred Lowenstein (1877–1928), soldier, aviator, sportsman, entrepreneur
- André Leysen and his sons Christian Leysen and Thomas Leysen
- Bruno van Pottelsberghe (born 1968)
- Édouard-Jean Empain
- Étienne Davignon
- Eric Ghysels
- George Arthur Forrest
- Georges Nagelmackers
- Georges Jacobs
- Gerdi Staelens – CEO of Winking
- Gustave de Molinari – economist
- Jean-Pierre Hansen (born 1948) – CEO of Electrabel
- Michel de Kemmeter (born 1964)
- Luc Bertrand
- Lieven Gevaert
- Marc Coucke
- Maurice Lippens
- Philippe van Parijs
- Philippus Jacobus Brepols (1778–1845)
- Rob Heyvaert – founder of Capco
- Silvio Gesell
Criminals
- Denis L. Feron, former CEO of Chemetco who fled the United States to avoid environmental charges
- Nordine Ben Allal – multiple escapes
- Madani Bouhouche
- Pierre Carette – terrorist
- Marc Dutroux – rapist and serial killer
- Patrick Haemers
- Murat Kaplan
- Hans Van Themsche
- Robert Jan Verbelen (1911–1990) – Nazi collaborator and murderer of businessman Alexandre Galopin
- Kim De Gelder
Fictional characters
- Dr. Evil – main villain in the Austin Powers films.
- Jo, Zette and Jocko – Belgian by their creator at least (Hergé)
- Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie) – a private detective
- Tintin – reporter
- Samson en Gert – characters from a popular Flemish television series.
- Suske en Wiske
- Gaston Lagaffe – cartoon character by André Franquin
- Spirou et Fantasio – cartoon character by André Franquin
- Achilles de Flandres – Antagonist in Orson Scott Card's Shadow series.
- Nero – comic book character by Marc Sleen
- Jommeke – comic book character by Jef Nys
- De Kiekeboes- comic book family (about Marcel Kiekeboe and his family) by Merho
- De Smurfen - van Peyo
Historians
- Philippe de Commines
- Victor Amédée Jacques Marie Coremans (1802–1872)
- François-Louis Ganshof
- Xavier Mabille
- Ludo Martens
- Anne Morelli
- Henri Pirenne
- Pierre François Xavier de Ram
- Jan Vansina
Humorists
- Philippe Geluck, best known for his comic strip "Le Chat"
- Noël Godin, "l'entarteur", aka Monsieur Gloup-Gloup
- Geert Hoste
- Lieven Scheire
- Urbain Servranckx (Urbanus)
- Wouter Deprez
- Alex Agnew (also the leadsinger of Diablo Blvd)
- Kamagurka
- Raymond Devos
Journalists
- Paul Beliën
- Jacques Danois
- Koenraad Elst
- Cédric Gerbehaye
- Germaine Van Parys (1893–1983), pioneering female photojournalist
Military figures
- Ambiorix – Gaulish warlord
- Baldwin I of Jerusalem – Crusader, King of Jerusalem
- Baldwin I of Constantinople – Crusader, first Latin Emperor
- Jean-Pierre de Beaulieu – Belgian-born Austrian General
- Adrian Carton de Wiart – Belgian-born British Lieutenant General
- Charlemagne, founder of the Frankish Empire
- Charles Martel, Duke of the Franks, stopped the Muslim expansion at Poitiers
- Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
- Clovis I, King of the Franks
- Lieutenant Colonel (ret'd) Count Henry Robert Visart de Bury et de Bocarmé C.B.E.
- Godfrey of Bouillon – Crusader and first King of Jerusalem
- Pepin of Herstal, Duke of the Franks
- Pepin the Short, first Carolingian King of the Franks
- Edgard Potier – Pilot during the World War II
- Jean Schramme, mercenary.
- Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly – Field Marshal
Models
- Brigitta Callens
- Elise Crombez
- Sylvie De Caluwé
- Véronique De Kock (born in Antwerp)
- Tanja Dexters
- Hannelore Knuts
- Yumi Lambert
- Anouck Lepere, supermodel (born in Antwerp).
- Stephanie Meire
- Ellen Petri
- Ingrid Seynhaeve
- Annelies Törös (born in Antwerp)
- Jessica Van Der Steen (from Antwerp)
- Ann Van Elsen
- Hanne Gaby Odiele
Monarchs
Main article: List of Belgian monarchs
- Albert I
- Albert II
- Baudouin I
- Charles V of Habsburg, Holy Roman Emperor
- Charles VII of Habsburg, Holy Roman Emperor
- Clemens August of Bavaria, Archbishop-Elector of Cologne
- Leopold I
- Leopold II
- Leopold III
Performing artists
Actors and actresses
- Arend Pinoy
- Patrick Bauchau
- Jey Crisfar
- Jan Decleir
- André Delvaux
- Émilie Dequenne
- Cécile de France
- Els Dottermans
- Tim Driesen
- Marie Gillain
- Olivier Gourmet
- Audrey Hepburn
- Christian Labeau
- Jacky Lafon
- Yolande Moreau
- Ann Petersen
- Benoît Poelvoorde
- Natacha Régnier
- Lyne Renée
- Jérémie Renier
- Matthias Schoenaerts
- Jean-Claude Van Damme
- Philippe Volter
- Natacha Amal
Choreographers
- Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker
Composers
- Jean Absil
- Florent Alpaerts
- Peter Benoit
- Gilles Binchois
- Ivan Caryll
- Jacob Clemens non Papa
- Cypriano de Rore
- Josquin des Prez
- Guillaume Dufay
- François Joseph Fétis
- César Franck, Belgian composer who worked in Paris
- Karel Goeyvaerts
- Nicolas Gombert
- François Joseph Gossec
- André Grétry
- Joseph Jongen
- Orlande de Lassus (a.k.a. Orlandus Lassus/Orlando di Lasso), born in the provinces of present-day Belgium, but before Belgium existed
- Guillaume Lekeu
- Jacques Loeillet – baroque composer
- Jean-Baptiste Loeillet de Ghent – baroque composer
- Charles Loos
- Wim Mertens
- Marie Daulne
- Vidna Obmana – the pseudonym of Dirk Serries
- Johannes Ockeghem
- Henri Pousseur
- Didier van Damme
- Pieter van Maldere
- Henri Vieuxtemps
- Giaches de Wert
- Adrian Willaert
Filmmakers
See also: List of Belgian film directors
- Chantal Akerman
- Jean-Jacques Andrien
- Tom Barman
- Lucas Belvaux (born 1961)
- Rémy Belvaux (Man Bites Dog)
- Alain Berliner (Ma vie en rose)
- Jan Bucquoy
- Stijn Coninx
- Carl Colpaert (American, born in Belgium)
- Gérard Corbiau
- Jean-Pierre Dardenne
- Luc Dardenne
- Robbe De Hert
- André Delvaux
- Armand Denis
- Dominique Deruddere
- Marc Didden
- Jacques Feyder
- Jonas Geirnaert
- Harry Kümel
- Roland Lethem
- Benoît Mariage
- Henri Storck
- Erik Van Looy
Musicians and singers
See also: List of Belgian bands and artists
- Salvatore Adamo (Italian living in Belgium)
- Geike Arnaert – Hooverphonic
- Marie Daulne – Zap Mama
- Natacha Atlas
- Wouter de Backer – Gotye (was born in Belgium, now lives in Australia)
- Tom Barman – dEUS
- Claude Barzotti
- Roger Jouret – Plastic Bertrand
- Sarah Bettens – K's Choice
- Sandy Boets – Xandee
- Francy Boland (jazz pianist, arranger)
- André Brasseur
- Jacques Brel
- Tina Bride
- Alex Callier – Hooverphonic
- Stef Kamil Carlens – Zita Swoon
- Philippe Catherine
- Ann Christy
- André Cluytens (Belgian-born conductor)
- Annie Cordy
- Mathieu Crickboom (violinist)
- Suzanne Danco (soprano)
- Jeanine Deckers – Soeur Sourire a.k.a. The Singing Nun
- Wim De Craene
- Arthur De Greef (pianist and composer)
- Jean-Luc De Meyer – Front 242
- Luc De Vos – Gorki
- Mike Dierickx – Push, M.I.K.E. (Trance DJ and producer)*Tim Driesen
- Droon
- Elmore D
- Maurice Engelen – Praga Khan, Lords of Acid
- Peter Evrard (winner of Idool 2003, Belgian edition of Pop Idol)
- Lara Fabian
- Frédéric François
- Stéphane Galland
- Ferre Grignard
- Piet Goddaer – Ozark Henry
- Rita Gorr (mezzo soprano)
- Arthur Grumiaux (violinist)
- David Guetta, French disc jockey of Belgian descent on mother's side
- Hadise
- Fanny Heldy – opera soprano
- Philippe Herreweghe – conductor
- Arno Hintjens – TC Matic
- Bobby Jaspar
- Ya Kid K – Technotronic
- Sandra Kim
- Dani Klein – Vaya Con Dios
- Flip Kowlier
- Sigiswald Kuijken (violinist and conductor)
- Philippe Lafontaine
- Victor Lazlo
- Fud Leclerc
- Pierre Leemans (conductor and composer)
- Jo Lemaire
- Jan Leyers – Soulsister
- Lio
- Charles Loos
- Helmut Lotti
- Maurane
- Wim Mertens
- Paul Michiels – Soulsister
- Brian Molko – Placebo
- Marc Moulin – Telex
- Mauro Pawlowski – Evil Superstars, dEUS
- Bart Peeters
- Belle Perez
- Frédérique Petrides – (née Mayer) (conductor)
- Pol Plançon (basso)
- Pierre Rapsat
- Axelle Red
- Django Reinhardt
- Kate Ryan
- Liliane Saint-Pierre
- Bobbejaan Schoepen
- Siouxsie Sioux (Belgian father, English mother)
- Jonas Steur – (Trance DJ and Producer)
- Stromae
- Toots Thielemans
- René Thomas
- Rudy Trouvé
- Will Tura
- Luc Van Acker of The Revolting Cocks
- Urbanus van Anus
- Tim Vanhamel – Evil Superstars, Eagles of Death Metal, Millionaire
- Raymond van het Groenewoud
- Dirk Verbeuren – Soilwork
- Peter Verhoyen (flutist)
- Eddy Wally
- Koen Wauters – Clouseau
- Kris Wauters – Clouseau
- Anne Wolf (pianist)
- Eugène Ysaÿe (violinist and composer)
- Brahim
- Tom Dice
- Paul Van Haver – Stromae
- Machiavel
Theater directors
Politicians
A – C
- Frans Ackerman
- Magda Aelvoet
- Bert Anciaux
- Jules Joseph d'Anethan
- Gerolf Annemans
- Bernard Anselme
- Marie Arena
- Auguste Beernaert – Nobel Peace Prize 1908
- Ivo Belet
- Ward Beysen
- Fons Borginon
- Geert Bourgeois
- Frederika Brepoels
- Charles de Broqueville
- Henri de Brouckere
- Jules de Burlet
- Bernard du Bus de Gisignies
- Philippe Busquin
- Henri Carton de Wiart
- Marcel Cheron
- Willy Claes
- Philip Claeys
- Guy Coëme
- Alexandra Colen
- André Cools
- Gerhard Cooreman
- Hugo Coveliers
D
- Rik Daems
- Michel Daerden
- André Damseaux
- José Daras
- Stefaan De Clerck
- Willy De Clercq
- Herman De Croo
- Armand De Decker
- Jean-Marie Dedecker
- Magda De Galan
- Léon Degrelle
- Karel De Gucht
- Jean Defraigne
- Jean Duvieusart
- Jean-Luc Dehaene
- Jean-Maurice Dehousse
- Véronique De Keyser
- Leon Delacroix
- Francis Delpérée
- Hendrik de Man
- Rudy Demotte
- Gérard Deprez
- Erik Derycke
- Paul Deschanel
- Alain Destexhe
- Mia De Vits
- Patrick Dewael
- Filip Dewinter
- Karel Dillen
- Koenraad Dillen
- Elio Di Rupo
- François-Xavier de Donnea
- Vera Dua
- Daniel Ducarme
- Antoine Duquesne
- Isabelle Durant
E – K
- Lamoral Egmont
- Saïd El Khadraoui
- Gaston Eyskens
- Mark Eyskens
- Michel Foret
- Richard Fournaux
- Walthère Frère-Orban
- Jaak Gabriëls
- Gaston Geens
- Caroline Gennez
- Jacques Germeaux
- Jean Gol
- Mathieu Grosch
- Michel Hansenne
- Pierre Harmel
- Hervé Hasquin
- Arthur Haulot
- Alain Hutchinson
- Camille Huysmans
- Paul-Emile Janson
- Henri Jaspar
- Pierre Jonckheer
L
- Henri La Fontaine – Nobel Peace Prize 1913
- Julien Lahaut (1884–1950), chairman of the Communist Party, assassinated.
- Roger Lallemand
- Auguste Lambermont
- Karl-Heinz Lambertz
- Renaat Landuyt
- Raymond Langendries
- Joseph Lebeau
- Edmond Leburton
- Theodore Lefevre
- Yves Leterme
- Anne-Marie Lizin
M
- Nelly Maes
- Olivier Maingain
- Philippe Mahoux
- Jules Malou
- Jean-Claude Marcourt
- Ludo Martens
- Wilfried Martens
- Philippe Maystadt
- Charles Michel – current prime minister of Belgium
- Louis Michel
- Joëlle Milquet
- Philippe Monfils
- Philippe Moureaux
- Felix de Muelenare
N – R
- Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck
- Jean-Baptiste Nothomb
- Charles-Ferdinand Nothomb
- Laurette Onkelinx
- Joseph Pholien
- Charles Picqué
- Hubert Pierlot
- Prosper Poullet
- Jules Renkin
- Jean Rey
- Didier Reynders
- Frédérique Ries
- Charles Rogier
- Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns, founder of Institut de Droit International, adviser to Rama V of Thailand
S – U
- Hugo Schiltz (1927–2006)
- Frans Schollaert
- Jacques Simonet
- Miet Smet
- Paul de Smet de Naeyer
- Bart Somers
- Antoinette Spaak
- Paul-Henri Spaak
- Guy Spitaels
- Bart Staes
- Dirk Sterckx
- Steve Stevaert
- Frank Swaelen
- Marc Tarabella
- George Theunis
- Bartholemy Théodore de Theux
- Freddy Thielemans
- Marianne Thyssen
- Leo Tindemans
- Bruno Tobback
- Louis Tobback
- Jules de Trooz
V
- Achille van Acker
- Jacob van Artevelde
- Frans Van Cauwelaert
- Jean-Claude Van Cauwenberghe
- Johan Vande Lanotte
- Hugo Vandenberghe
- Paul Vanden Boeynants
- Freya Van den Bossche
- Luc Van den Bossche
- Frank Vandenbroucke
- Jules Vandenpeereboom
- The family Vanderpoorten: Arthur, Herman and Marleen
- Marleen Vanderpoorten
- Emile Vandervelde
- Frank Vanhecke
- Johan Van Hecke
- Pierre-Edouard van Humbeeck
- Anne Van Lancker
- Dirk Van Mechelen
- Karel Van Miert
- Vincent Van Quickenborne
- Eric Van Rompuy
- Herman Van Rompuy
- Jean-Pierre Van Rossem
- Paul Van Zeeland
- Guy Verhofstadt
- Inge Vervotte
W – Y
Religious figures
Saints
- St. Damien of Molokai
- St. Gertrude of Nivelles
- St. Gudula from Brussels and Eibingen – National Saint of Belgium and Patroness of Brussels
- St. John Berchmans
- St. Hubertus
- St. Meingold of Huy
Theologians and clergymen
- Joseph André, priest, Righteous among the Nations.
- Pieter Jan Beckx, 22nd Superior General of the Jesuits.
- Jean Bolland – hagiographer
- Adolf Daens – priest and politician
- Godfried Danneels – cardinal
- Victor-Auguste Dechamps – cardinal
- Charles A. Didier – General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Jacques Dupuis – Jesuit theologian (interreligious dialogue)
- Henry of Ghent – medieval philosopher
- Pierre-Lambert Goossens – cardinal
- Cornelius Jansen – bishop, theologian (Jansenism)
- Jean-Baptiste Janssens – 27th Superior General of the Jesuits
- Gustaaf Joos – cardinal
- Peter Paul Lefevere – bishop
- André-Mutien Léonard – bishop
- Leonardus Lessius – Jesuit theologian
- Joseph Maréchal – philosopher, psychologist
- Désiré-Joseph Mercier – cardinal
- Everard Mercurian, 4th Superior General of the Jesuits.
- Charles de Noyelle, 12th Superior General of the Jesuits.
- Georges Pire – Dominican priest, Nobel Peace Prize 1958
- Edward Poppe – blessed priest
- Jozef-Ernest van Roey – cardinal
- Blessed John Ruysbroeck – mystic
- Jan Pieter Schotte – cardinal
- Brother René Stockman – Superior General of the Congregation of the Brothers of Charity
- Leo Jozef Suenens – cardinal
- Ferdinand Verbiest – Jesuit missionary in China, Astronomer
Resistance activists
- Albert Guérisse (1911–1989)
- Arthur Haulot (1913–2005)
- Andrée "Dédée" de Jongh (1916–2007)
- Marcel Louette (1907–1978)
- Edgard Potier (1903–1944)
- Suzanne Spaak (1905–1944)
- Gabrielle Weidner (1914–1945)
- Johan Hendrik Weidner (1912–1994)
- Henri Reynders (Dom Bruno) (1903–1981)
Scientists
Botanists
- Alfred Cogniaux (1841–1916)
- Rembert Dodoens (1517–1585)
- Barthélemy Charles Joseph du Mortier
Chemists
- Jean-Claude Lorquet – theoretical chemist
- Ilya Prigogine – theoretical chemist Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1977 (born in Russia)
- Ernest Solvay – chemist
- Jean Stas – chemist
- Jan Baptist van Helmont (1579–1644) – chemist and physician
Geographers
- Gerardus Mercator – geographer
- Abraham Ortelius – geographer
Geologists
- Alphonse Francois Renard – geologist and petrographer
- Gaston Briart – geologist
Inventors and engineers
- Leo Hendrik Baekeland – inventor of bakelite
- Robert Cailliau – information and control engineer
- Zénobe Gramme – electrical engineer
- Bart Preneel – cryptographer
- Adolphe Sax – inventor of the saxophone
- Arthur Vierendeel – engineer and inventor of the Vierendeel truss
- Alfred Belpaire – steam locomotive engineer
- Egide Walschaerts – steam locomotive engineer and inventor of the Walschaerts valve gear
- André Waterkeyn – engineer, best known for creating the Atomium
- Joan Daemen – cryptographer (Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Rijndael)
- Vincent Rijmen – cryptographer (Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Rijndael)
- John Joseph Merlin – inventor associated with Cox's timepiece. He also invented inline skates in 1759.
Mathematicians
- François d'Aguilon – mathematician and physicist (optics)
- Jean Bourgain – mathematician
- Eugène Charles Catalan – mathematician
- Ingrid Daubechies – mathematician and physicist
- Pierre Deligne – mathematician, Fields Medal 1978
- Jan Denef – mathematician
- Jean-Charles de la Faille – mathematician
- Victor d'Hondt lawyer and mathematician
- Maurice Kraitchik – number theorist and recreational mathematician
- Constantin Le Paige – mathematician
- Adolphe Quetelet – mathematician and statistician
- Simon Stevin – mathematician and engineer
- André Tacquet – mathematician
- Antoine Thomas – mathematician and Astronomer (in China)
- Joseph Tilly – mathematician
- Jacques Tits – mathematician
- Charles Jean de la Vallée-Poussin – mathematician
- Adriaan van Roomen – mathematician
Physicists
- Georges Lemaître – deviser of the Big Bang Theory
- Joseph Plateau – physicist
- Francois Englert - Nobel Prize in Physics 2013
Political scientists and theorists
Others
- Jules Bordet – Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1919
- Albert Claude – Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1974
- Christian De Duve – Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1974 (born in Britain of Belgian parents)
- Frank De Winne – astronaut
- Charles Frédéric Dubois and his son Alphonse Joseph Charles Dubois – naturalists
- Dirk Frimout – first Belgian astronaut
- John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster – born in Ghent
- Adrien de Gerlache – explorer
- Jan Baptist van Helmont – chemist, physiologist and physician
- Corneille Heymans – Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1938
- Albert Hustin – medical doctor, the first to practice non-direct blood transfusion
- Paul Jorion – anthropologist, sociologist, cognitive scientist, and enocomist
- Marc Lacroix – biochemist and cancer researcher
- Benoît Lengelé – medical doctor, the first to perform a partial face transplant
- Paul Janssen – scientist and founder of Janssen Pharmacuetica
- Claude Lévi-Strauss, French scientist born in Belgium
- Justus Lipsius – classical philologian
- Michel Louette – ornithologist
- Paul Otlet – information architect
- Grégoire de Saint-Vincent
- Louis-Joseph Seutin – surgeon
- Catherine Verfaillie – stem cell researcher
- Jos Verhulst – scientist, philosopher
- Etienne Vermeersch – philosopher
- Andreas Vesalius – anatomist
- Marc Waelkens – archeologist
- Luce Irigaray – French philosopher, born in Belgium
- Louis De Geer – (1587–1652) born 1587-11-17 in Liège.He is considered the father of Swedish industry.
Sports
Automobile racing
- Philippe Adams – Formula One driver
- Bertrand Baguette – 2009 World Series by Renault champion, IndyCar driver
- Georges Berger – Formula One driver
- Lucien Bianchi – Formula One driver
- Thierry Boutsen – racing driver
- Johnny Claes – Formula One driver
- Jérôme d'Ambrosio – Formula One driver, currently driving for Virgin Racing
- Charles de Tornaco – Formula One driver
- Marc Duez – racing driver
- François Duval – racing driver
- Paul Frère – Formula One driver
- Bertrand Gachot – racing driver
- Olivier Gendebien – race car driver
- Christian Goethals – Formula One driver
- Jan Heylen – Champ Car veteran
- Jacky Ickx – racing driver
- Vanina Ickx – daughter of Jacky, Le Mans regular
- Camille Jenatzy – race car driver
- Arthur Legat – Formula One driver
- Bas Leinders – racing driver
- Willy Mairesse – Formula One driver
- André Milhoux – Formula One driver
- Patrick Nève – Formula One driver
- Théodore Pilette – racing driver
- André Pilette – Formula One driver
- Teddy Pilette (born 1942) – Formula One driver
- Jacques Swaters – Formula One driver
- Eric van de Poele – Formula One driver
Basketball
- Ann Wauters
- Thomas Van Den Spiegel
Cycling
Including mountain biking and cyclo-cross.
- Mario Aerts
- Benoni Beheyt
- Tom Boonen
- Alex Close
- Eric De Vlaeminck – cyclo-cross
- Roger De Vlaeminck
- Fred de Bruyne
- Stijn Devolder
- Johan Bruyneel
- Hélène Dutrieu
- Philippe Gilbert
- Matthew Gilmore – Australian-turned-Belgian
- Willy Lauwers
- Roland Liboton – cyclo-cross
- Freddy Maertens
- Romain Maes
- Filip Meirhaeghe – mountain biker
- Axel Merckx – son of Eddy Merckx
- Eddy Merckx – considered by many as the greatest cyclist ever.
- Jean-Pierre Monseré
- Johan Museeuw
- Sven Nys – cyclo-cross
- Stan Ockers
- Alberic Schotte
- Patrick Sercu
- Andrei Tchmil – Soviet-turned-Ukrainian-turned-Belgian
- Philippe Thys
- Lucien Van Impe
- Frank Vandenbroucke
- Rik Van Looy
- Rik Van Steenbergen
Fencing
- Henri Anspach – (épée & foil) fencer, Olympic champion[1]
- Paul Anspach, épée & foil fencer, 2-time Olympic champion[1]
- Jacques Ochs, épée fencer, Olympic champion[1]
- Gaston Salmon, épée fencer, Olympic champion
Football (soccer)
- Philippe Albert – player
- Aimé Anthuenis – coach
- Walter Baseggio – player
- Roberto Bisconti – player
- Jean-Marc Bosman – player
- Toni Brogno – player
- Thomas Buffel – player
- Jan Ceulemans – player, coach
- Lei Clijsters – player, coach
- Rik Coppens – player
- Thibaut Courtois – goalkeeper
- Bertrand Crasson – player
- Koen Daerden – player
- Gilles De Bilde – player
- Frank De Bleeckere – referee
- Glen De Boeck – player, coach
- Kevin De Bruyne – player
- Mark De Man – player
- Geert De Vlieger – goalkeeper
- Filip De Wilde – goalkeeper
- Steven Defour – player
- Marc Degryse – player
- Laurent Delorge – player
- Mousa Dembélé – player
- Olivier Deschacht – player
- Olivier Doll – player
- Marouane Fellaini – player
- Régis Genaux – player
- Eric Gerets – player, coach
- Raymond Goethals – coach
- Bart Goor – player
- Michaël Goossens – player
- Georges Grün – player
- Alan Haydock – player
- Eden Hazard – player
- Oleg Iachtchouk – player (Ukrainian-turned-Belgian)
- Vincent Kompany – player
- Jonathan Legear – player
- Philippe Léonard – player
- Nicolas Lombaerts – player
- Romelu Lukaku – player
- Steed Malbranque – player – French player, born in Belgium
- Sandy Martens – player
- Joseph Mermans – player
- Vic Mees – player
- Simon Mignolet – goalkeeper
- Kevin Mirallas – player
- Emile Mpenza – player
- Mbo Mpenza – player
- Floribert N'Galula – player
- Luis Oliveira – player
- Tristan Peersman – goalkeeper
- Jean-Marie Pfaff – goalkeeper
- Luigi Pieroni – player
- Michel Preud'homme – goalkeeper, coach
- Silvio Proto – goalkeeper
- Cédric Roussel – player
- Enzo Scifo – player, coach
- Tony Sergeant – player
- Francis Severeyns – player
- Timmy Simons – player
- Wesley Sonck – player
- Lorenzo Staelens – player
- Stijn Stijnen – goalkeeper
- Branko Strupar – player – Croatian turned Belgian
- Guy Thys – coach
- Nico Vaesen – goalkeeper
- Joos Valgaeren – player
- Gilbert Van Binst – player
- Daniel Van Buyten – player
- Constant Vanden Stock – honorary president and former president and player of football club R.S.C. Anderlecht
- Roger Vanden Stock – president of football club R.S.C. Anderlecht
- Franky Van Der Elst – player, coach
- Gunter Van Handenhoven – player
- Paul Van Himst – player, coach
- Wilfried Van Moer – player
- Jan Van Steenberghe – player
- Anthony Vanden Borre – player
- Erwin Vandenbergh – player
- Yves Vanderhaeghe – player
- Franky Vercauteren – player, coach
- Gert Verheyen – player
- Thomas Vermaelen – player
- Jan Vertonghen – player
- Eric Viscaal – player
- Bernard Voorhoof – player
- Johan Walem – player
- Josip Weber – player
- Marc Wilmots – football player and elected senator
- Axel Witsel – player
Golf
- Laetitia Beck – Belgian-born Israeli golfer
- Nicolas Colsaerts – Ryder Cup winner
Judo
- Ingrid Berghmans – judoka, olympic champion
- Jean-Marie Dedecker – coach
- Ilse Heylen – judoka
- Harry Van Barneveld – judoka
- Gella Vandecaveye – judoka
- Robert Van De Walle – judoka, Olympic champion
- Ulla Werbrouck – judoka, Olympic champion
Motocross
- René Baeten – 1958 500cc Motocross World Champion
- Marnicq Bervoets – Top motocross competitor from the 1990s
- Sven Breugelmans – 2005 MX3-GP World Champion
- Roger De Coster – Five-time 500cc Motocross World Champion
- Harry Everts – Three-time Motocross World Champion, father of Stefan Everts
- Stefan Everts – Ten-time Motocross World Champion
- Eric Geboers – Five-time Motocross World Champion
- Sylvain Geboers – Motocross des Nations winner
- Georges Jobé – Five-time Motocross World Champion
- André Malherbe – Three-time Motocross World Champion
- Jacky Martens – 1991 500cc World Champion
- Gaston Rahier – Three-time 125cc Motocross World Champion
- Steve Ramon – Two-time Motocross World Champion
- Joël Robert – Six-time 250cc Motocross World Champion
- Joël Smets – Three time 500cc Motocross World Champion
Swimming
- Brigitte Becue – swimmer
- Gérard Blitz – Olympic bronze (100-m backstroke), International Swimming Hall of Fame
- Fred Deburghgraeve – swimmer, Olympic champion
- Ingrid Lempereur – swimmer
Table tennis
- Jean-Michel Saive – player
Tennis
- Sabine Appelmans – player
- Els Callens – player
- Kim Clijsters – player, former World #1, Masters 2002–2003–2010 winner and 4-time Grand Slam singles champion
- Kirsten Flipkens - player
- Justine Henin – player, olympic champion, former World #1, Masters 2006–2007 winner and 7-time Grand Slam singles champion
- Xavier Malisse – player
- Dominique Monami – player
- Christophe Rochus – player
- Olivier Rochus – player
- Kristof Vliegen – player
- Yanina Wickmayer - player
Track and field
- Ivo Van Damme – athlete
- Kim Gevaert – athlete, European champion 100 and 200 metres
- Tia Hellebaut – athlete, European champion high jump, olympic champion high jump
- Karel Lismont – athlete
- Emiel Puttemans – athlete
- Gaston Roelants – athlete, olympic champion
- Patrick Stevens – athlete
- Veerle Dejaeghere – athlete
- Cédric Van Branteghem – athlete
- Mohammed Mourhit – athlete
Triathlon
- Kathleen Smet – 2005 world champion
- Luc Van Lierde – 2-time world champion and winner Iron Man
- Marc Herremans – wheelchair champion
Water polo
- Gérard Blitz (1901–1979) – swimming and waterpolo 2-time Olympic silver, 2-time bronze (one in swimming—100-m backstroke), International Swimming Hall of Fame, son of Maurice Blitz
- Gérard Blitz (1912–1990) – water polo player and founder of the Club Med
- Maurice Blitz – waterpoloist, 2-time Olympic silver, father of Gérard Blitz
- Henri Cohen – Olympic silver
Other
- Luca Brecel – snooker player
- Annelies Bredael – rower
- Raymond Ceulemans – billiards player
- Frédéric Collignon – (table soccer) ITSF multi-time and currently acting world champion
- Nathalie Descamps – badminton player
- Wendy Jans – Snooker player, 2006 IBSF Women's World Champion
- Tony Parker – NBA basketball player – French nationality, born in Belgium
- John Raphael, rugby union player
- Jacques Rogge – IOC president
- Tarec Saffiedine – mixed martial artist
- Seppe Smits – snowboarder
- Bart Swings – inline and speed skater
- Paul Van Asbroeck – marksman
- Kevin van der Perren – figure skating
- Hubert Van Innis – archer
- Bart Veldkamp – speed skater
- Ann Wauters – WNBA basketball player
Visual artists
Comics
- Arthur Berckmans (Berck)
- Jan Bosschaert
- Raoul Cauvin
- Didier Comès
- François Craenhals
- Luc Cromheecke
- Paul Cuvelier
- Dany
- Renaat Demoen
- Bob de Moor
- André-Paul Duchâteau
- Dupa (Luc Dupanloup)
- René Follet
- Philippe Francq
- André Franquin
- Patryck de Froidmont
- Jean-Richard Geurts (Janry)
- François Gilson
- René Hausman
- Hergé (Georges Remi)
- Hermann Huppen
- Victor Hubinon
- Edgar P. Jacobs
- Janry (Jean-Richard Geurts)
- Jijé (Joseph Gillain)
- Kamagurka
- Lambil (Willy Lambillote)
- Roger Leloup
- Marcel Marlier
- Merho
- Midam
- Morris (Maurice de Bevere)
- Jef Nys
- Eddy Paape
- Frank Pé
- Peyo (Pierre Culliford)
- Jean Roba
- François Schuiten
- Yves Sente
- Marc Sleen (Marc Neels)
- Philippe Tome (Philippe Vandevelde)
- William Vance
- Willy Vandersteen
- Jean Van Hamme
- François Walthéry
- Will (Willy Maltaite)
Fashion
see also Antwerp Six
- Dirk Bikkembergs
- Veronique Branquino
- Liz Claiborne, American designer born in Belgium
- Elise Crombez
- Ann Demeulemeester
- Martin Margiela
- Hanne Gaby Odiele
- Raf Simons
- Olivier Strelli
- Walter Van Beirendonck
- Dries van Noten
Painters
Main article: List of Belgian painters
- Pierre Alechinsky – Cobra member
- Joachim Beuckelaer
- Adriaen Brouwer
- Pieter Bruegel the Elder, and his family, including Pieter Brueghel the Younger, Jan Brueghel the Elder, and Jan Brueghel the Younger
- Robert Campin
- Petrus Christus
- Emile Claus – impressionism
- Gerard David
- Philippe de Champaigne
- Gaspar de Crayer
- Raoul De Keyser – abstract painter
- Paul Delvaux – surrealist
- Jean Delville – symbolist painter
- Joseph Noiret – (painter and poet)
- Gustave De Smet – expressionism
- Sam Dillemans
- James Ensor
- Frans Floris
- Guy Huygens
- Albert Demuyser
- Adriaen Isenbrandt
- Jacob Jordaens
- Justus of Ghent
- Fernand Khnopff – symbolist
- Georges Emile Lebacq – Impressionist, Post-Impressionist painter
- Limbourg brothers – manuscript illuminators
- Lambert Lombard
- Jan Mabuse
- René Magritte – surrealist
- Xavier Mellery – symbolist
- Hans Memling
- Kwinten Metsys (a.k.a. Quentin Matsys/Quentin Massys)
- Constant Permeke – expressionist
- Pieter Pourbus
- Roger Raveel
- Félicien Rops
- Peter Paul Rubens – Baroque painter
- Victor Servranckx – cubist
- Frans Snyders
- Leon Spilliaert
- David Teniers the Younger
- Luc Tuymans
- Pieter van Aelst
- Joos van Cleve
- Frits Van den Berghe – expressionist
- Hugo van der Goes
- Rogier van der Weyden (a.k.a. Rog(i)er de la Pasture)
- Gustave Van de Woestijne
- Sir Anthony van Dyck (Antoon van Dyck)
- Jan van Eyck and his brother Hubert van Eyck
- Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven
- Eugeen Van Mieghem
- Bernard van Orley
- Théo van Rysselberghe – neo-impressionist
- Fernand Verhaegen – painter of Walloon folklore
- Antoine Joseph Wiertz
Photographers
- Carl de Keyzer
- Leon Van Loo
Sculptors
- Delphine Boël
- René Carcan
- May Claerhout
- François Duquesnoy
- Jan Fabre
- Lucas Faydherbe
- Jean-Michel Folon
- George Grard
- Constantin Meunier
- George Minne
- Olivier Strebelle
- Rik Wouters
Others
- Guillaume Bijl
- Jean De Bast
- Ade Bethune
- Guy Bleus
- Marcel Broodthaers
- Victor Delhez
- Wim Delvoye
- Danny Devos
- Panamarenko
- Dr. Hugo Heyrman
Others
- Arturo Alfandari – diplomat, creator of the language Neo
- Menachem Banitt – expert in medieval French language and culture
- Edgard Colle – chess player
- Jeanne de Bellem – political activist during the Brabant revolution
- Sabine Dardenne – victim of child molestor Marc Dutroux
- Thierry de Duve – art critic and theorist
- Paul de Man – deconstructionist literary critic and theorist
- Joanna DeRoover – oldest documented living person in Belgium at the time of her death
- Xavier Hufkens – gallery owner and dealer in contemporary art
- Piet Huysentruyt – chef and bestselling author
- Jean-Denis Lejeune – founder of Child Focus
- Claude Lelièvre – Commissioner for Children Rights, French-speaking Community
- Jean-Baptiste Moëns – "The Father of Philately"
- Peter Piot – Director of UNAIDS
- Sybille de Selys Longchamps
- Vanden Geyhn et Van Aerschodt Famille de foundeurs
- Pierre Wynants – chef
- Michel de Kemmeter (born 1964)
See also
- List of Belgian Americans
- List of Belgian women writers
- List of Belgium-related topics
- List of fictional Belgians
- List of people by nationality
- Notable people from Brussels
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Paul Taylor (2004). Jews and the Olympic Games: the Clash between Sport and Politics: with a complete review of Jewish Olympic medallists. Sussex Academic Press. ISBN 1-903900-88-3. Retrieved May 24, 2010.