By category:

History:

Walt Whitman. Camden native who was among the most influential poets in history.

Paul Robeson. Scholar, actor, athlete, singer, political activist; outspoken opponent of racism. One of the first African-American students to study at Rutgers University.

Enterprise:

Guglielmo Marconi. Italian-born inventor of Wall Township who won Nobel Prize for contributions to the development of wireless technology.

Carl Sagan. World-famous astronomer, scientist, author of popular science books, who was from Rahway.

Arts & Entertainment:

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, . Famed comedy duo. Abbott was from Asbury Park; Costello from Paterson.

Jon Bon Jovi. Sayreville native and Shore resident, this rock musician is also recognized for humanitarian work.

Jerry Lewis. Comedian, actor known for charity fundraising telethons. Lewis was born and raised in Newark.

Sports:

Althea Gibson. East Orange native was the first African-American to win a Grand Slam tennis tournament (French Open, 1956).

Shaquille O'Neal. All-star NBA basketball player who was born in Newark and grew up in the Central Ward.

Phil Rizzuto. Baseball Hall of Famer and beloved Yankees shortstop, equally famous as a radio and television announcer. A Hillside native.

General:

F. Scott Fitzgerald. Regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. Had ties to Hackensack and Princeton.

William Carlos Williams. Doctor and writer who lived in Rutherford; winner of the first National Book Award for poetry and a Pulitzer Prize

Bonus Ball point pen on morning newsprint