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
- Nicolas Ancion (born 1971)
- Gentil Theodoor Antheunis (1840–1907)
- Pieter Aspe (born 1953)
- Henry Bauchau (1913–2012)
- Jean-Marie Berckmans
- Anton Bergmann (1835–1874)
- Hendrik Beyaert (1823–1894)
- 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)
- Xaveer De Geyter (born 1957)
- Michel De Ghelderode (1898–1962)
- Michel de Kemmeter (born 1964)
- 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
- Paul Hankar (1859–1901)
- Jacqueline Harpman
- Kristien Hemmerechts
- Stefan Hertmans
- Victor Horta (1861–1947)
- 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
- Paul Saintenoy (1862–1952)
- 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)
- Gustave Strauven (1878–1919)
- Stijn Streuvels
- Herman Teirlinck
- Isidoor Teirlinck (1851–1934)
- Jotie T'Hooft
- Felix Timmermans
- Jan van Beers (1852–1927)
- Jos Vandeloo
- Walter van den Broeck
- Henry Van de Velde (1863–1957)
- Karel van de Woestijne
- Prudens van Duyse (1804–1859)
- Raoul Vaneigem
- Peter Frans Van Kerckhoven (1818–1857)
- Jacob van Maerlant
- Paul Van Ostaijen
- Bob Van Reeth (Born 1943)
- Jan Theodoor van Rijswijck (1811–1849)
- Anton van Wilderode (1918–1998)
- Emile Verhaeren
- Peter Verhelst
- Dimitri Verhulst
- August Vermeylen (1872–1945)
- Jules Wabbes (1919–1974)
- Gerard Walschap
- Francois Weyergans
- Jan Frans Willems (1793–1846)
- Marguerite Yourcenar – French novelist born in Belgium
Businesspeople and economists
- Luc Bertrand
- Philippus Jacobus Brepols (1778–1845)
- Marc Coucke
- Étienne Davignon
- Michel de Kemmeter (born 1964)
- Gustave de Molinari – economist
- Édouard-Jean Empain
- George Arthur Forrest
- Albert Frère – self made businessman
- Alexandre Galopin (1879–1944) – director of the Société Générale de Belgique
- Silvio Gesell
- Lieven Gevaert
- Eric Ghysels
- Jean-Pierre Hansen (born 1948) – CEO of Electrabel
- Rob Heyvaert – founder of Capco
- Georges Jacobs
- André Leysen and his sons Christian Leysen and Thomas Leysen
- Maurice Lippens
- Alfred Lowenstein (1877–1928), soldier, aviator, sportsman, entrepreneur
- Georges Nagelmackers
- Gerdi Staelens – CEO of Winking
- Philippe van Parijs
- Bruno van Pottelsberghe (born 1968)
Criminals
- Nordine Ben Allal – multiple escapes
- Madani Bouhouche
- Pierre Carette – terrorist
- Kim De Gelder
- Marc Dutroux – rapist and serial killer
- Denis L. Feron – former CEO of Chemetco who fled the United States to avoid environmental charges
- Patrick Haemers
- Murat Kaplan
- Hans Van Themsche
- Robert Jan Verbelen (1911–1990) – Nazi collaborator and murderer of businessman Alexandre Galopin
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 from Nero – comic book character by Marc Sleen.
- Adhemar from 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
- Philippe Loren – villain of the video game Saints Row: The Third
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
- Alex Agnew – (also the leadsinger of Diablo Blvd)
- Wouter Deprez
- Raymond Devos
- Philippe Geluck – best known for his comic strip "Le Chat"
- Noël Godin – "l'entarteur", aka Monsieur Gloup-Gloup
- Geert Hoste
- Kamagurka
- Lieven Scheire
- Urbain Servranckx (Urbanus)
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 Constantinople – Crusader, first Latin Emperor
- Baldwin I of Jerusalem – Crusader, King of Jerusalem
- Jean-Pierre de Beaulieu – Belgian-born Austrian General
- Adrian Carton de Wiart – Belgian-born British Lieutenant General
- Charlemagne – founder of the Frankish Empire
- Charles V – Holy Roman Emperor
- Clovis I, King of the Franks
- Godfrey of Bouillon – Crusader and first King of Jerusalem
- Charles Martel – Duke of the Franks, stopped the Muslim expansion at Poitiers
- 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
- Lieutenant Colonel – (ret'd) Count Henry Robert Visart de Bury et de Bocarmé C.B.E.
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
- Hanne Gaby Odiele
- Ellen Petri
- Ingrid Seynhaeve
- Annelies Törös (born in Antwerp)
- Jessica Van Der Steen (from Antwerp)
- Ann Van Elsen
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
- Natacha Amal
- Patrick Bauchau
- Jey Crisfar
- Jan Decleir
- André Delvaux
- Émilie Dequenne
- Els Dottermans
- Tim Driesen
- Cécile de France
- 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
- Titus De Voogdt
Choreographers
Composers
- Jean Absil
- Florent Alpaerts
- Peter Benoit
- Gilles Binchois
- Ivan Caryll
- Jacob Clemens non Papa
- Marie Daulne
- 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
- Vidna Obmana – the pseudonym of Dirk Serries
- Johannes Ockeghem
- Henri Pousseur
- Josquin des Prez
- Cypriano de Rore
- Didier van Damme
- Pieter van Maldere
- Carl Verbraeken
- 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
- Natacha Atlas
- Wouter de Backer – Gotye (was born in Belgium, now lives in Australia)
- Tom Barman – dEUS
- Claude Barzotti
- Plastic Bertrand – Roger Jouret
- Sarah Bettens – K's Choice
- Sandy Boets – Xandee
- Francy Boland – (jazz pianist, arranger)
- Brahim
- 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)
- Marie Daulne – Zap Mama
- 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
- Tom Dice
- Mike Dierickx – Push, M.I.K.E. (Trance DJ and producer)*Tim Driesen
- 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
- Machiavel
- 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
- Paul Van Haver – Stromae
- 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)
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
- Jean Defraigne
- Magda De Galan
- Léon Degrelle
- Karel De Gucht
- 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
- Philippe Mahoux
- Olivier Maingain
- 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. Hubertus
- St. John Berchmans
- 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)
- Pierre-Lambert Goossens – cardinal
- Henry of Ghent – medieval philosopher
- 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)
- Henri Reynders (1903–1981)
- Suzanne Spaak (1905–1944)
- Gabrielle Weidner (1914–1945)
- Johan Hendrik Weidner (1912–1994)
Scientists
Astronauts
- Frank De Winne
- Dirk Frimout – first Belgian astronaut
Botanists
- Alfred Cogniaux (1841–1916)
- Rembert Dodoens (1517–1585)
- Barthélemy Charles Joseph du Mortier
Chemists
- Jan Baptist van Helmont (1579–1644) – chemist and physician
- Jean-Claude Lorquet – theoretical chemist
- Ilya Prigogine – theoretical chemist Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1977 (born in Russia)
- Ernest Solvay
- Jean Stas
Geographers
Geologists
Inventors and engineers
- Leo Hendrik Baekeland – inventor of bakelite
- Alfred Belpaire – steam locomotive engineer
- Robert Cailliau – information and control engineer
- Joan Daemen – cryptographer (Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Rijndael)
- Zénobe Gramme – electrical engineer
- John Joseph Merlin – inventor associated with Cox's timepiece. He also invented inline skates in 1759.
- Bart Preneel – cryptographer
- Vincent Rijmen – cryptographer (Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Rijndael)
- Adolphe Sax – inventor of the saxophone
- Arthur Vierendeel – engineer and inventor of the Vierendeel truss
- Egide Walschaerts – steam locomotive engineer and inventor of the Walschaerts valve gear
- André Waterkeyn – engineer, best known for creating the Atomium
Mathematicians
- François d'Aguilon – mathematician and physicist (optics)
- Jean Bourgain
- Eugène Charles Catalan
- Ingrid Daubechies – mathematician and physicist
- Pierre Deligne – Fields Medal 1978
- Jan Denef
- Jean-Charles de la Faille
- Victor d'Hondt – lawyer and mathematician
- Maurice Kraitchik – number theorist and recreational mathematician
- Constantin Le Paige
- Adolphe Quetelet – mathematician and statistician
- Grégoire de Saint-Vincent
- Simon Stevin – mathematician and engineer
- André Tacquet
- Antoine Thomas – mathematician and Astronomer (in China)
- Joseph Tilly
- Jacques Tits
- Charles Jean de la Vallée-Poussin
- Adriaan van Roomen
Medical scientists
- 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)
- Corneille Heymans – Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1938
- Albert Hustin – medical doctor, the first to practice non-direct blood transfusion
- Paul Janssen – scientist and founder of Janssen Pharmacuetica
- Marc Lacroix – biochemist and cancer researcher
- Benoît Lengelé – medical doctor, the first to perform a partial face transplant
- Louis-Joseph Seutin – surgeon
- Catherine Verfaillie – stem cell researcher
- Andreas Vesalius – anatomist
Philosophers
- Luce Irigaray – French philosopher, born in Belgium
- Jos Verhulst
- Etienne Vermeersch
Physicists
- Francois Englert – Nobel Prize in Physics 2013
- Georges Lemaître – deviser of the Big Bang Theory
- Joseph Plateau
Political scientists and theorists
Social scientists
- Paul Jorion – anthropologist, sociologist, cognitive scientist, and economist
- Claude Lévi-Strauss, French scientist born in Belgium
Others
- Louis De Geer – (1587–1652) born 1587-11-17 in Liège. He is considered the father of Swedish industry.
- Charles Frédéric Dubois and his son Alphonse Joseph Charles Dubois – naturalists
- Adrien de Gerlache – explorer
- John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster – born in Ghent
- Justus Lipsius – classical philologian
- Michel Louette – ornithologist
- Paul Otlet – information architect
- Marc Waelkens – archeologist
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
- André Pilette – Formula One driver
- Teddy Pilette (born 1942) – Formula One driver
- Théodore Pilette – racing driver
- Jacques Swaters – Formula One driver
- Eric van de Poele – Formula One driver
Basketball
Cycling
Including mountain biking and cyclo-cross.
- Mario Aerts
- Benoni Beheyt
- Tom Boonen
- Johan Bruyneel
- Alex Close
- Fred de Bruyne
- Eric De Vlaeminck – cyclo-cross
- Roger De Vlaeminck
- Stijn Devolder
- 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
- Frank Vandenbroucke
- Lucien Van Impe
- 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)
Category: Belgian footballers
- Philippe Albert – player
- Aimé Anthuenis – coach
- Christian Benteke – player
- Jean-Marc Bosman – player
- Jan Ceulemans – player, coach
- Lei Clijsters – player, coach
- Rik Coppens – player
- Thibaut Courtois – goalkeeper
- Frank De Bleeckere – referee
- Kevin De Bruyne – player
- Steven Defour – player
- Marc Degryse – player
- Mousa Dembélé – player
- Marouane Fellaini – player
- Eric Gerets – player, coach
- Raymond Goethals – coach
- Georges Grün – player
- Eden Hazard – player
- Vincent Kompany – player
- Romelu Lukaku – player
- Joseph Mermans – player
- Vic Mees – player
- Simon Mignolet – goalkeeper
- Kevin Mirallas – player
- Emile Mpenza – player
- Jean-Marie Pfaff – goalkeeper
- Michel Preud'homme – goalkeeper, coach
- Enzo Scifo – player, coach
- Timmy Simons – player
- Wesley Sonck – player
- Lorenzo Staelens – player
- Guy Thys – coach
- Gilbert Van Binst – player
- Daniel Van Buyten – player
- Erwin Vandenbergh – 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
- Paul Van Himst – player, coach
- Wilfried Van Moer – player
- Franky Vercauteren – player, coach
- Gert Verheyen – player
- Thomas Vermaelen – player
- Jan Vertonghen – player
- Bernard Voorhoof – 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
- David Goffin – 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
- Veerle Dejaeghere – athlete
- Kim Gevaert – athlete, European champion 100 and 200 metres
- Tia Hellebaut – athlete, European champion high jump, olympic champion high jump
- Karel Lismont – athlete
- Mohammed Mourhit – athlete
- Emiel Puttemans – athlete
- Gaston Roelants – athlete, olympic champion
- Patrick Stevens – athlete
- Cédric Van Branteghem – athlete
- Ivo Van Damme – athlete
Triathlon
- Marc Herremans – wheelchair champion
- Kathleen Smet – 2005 world champion
- Luc Van Lierde – 2-time world champion and winner Iron Man
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
See also: List of comic creators § Belgium
- 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)
- Victor Hubinon
- Hermann Huppen
- 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
- 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
- Albert Demuyser
- Gustave De Smet – expressionism
- Sam Dillemans
- James Ensor
- Frans Floris
- 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)
- Joseph Noiret – (painter and poet)
- 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
- Peter Van Gheluwe
- 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
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
- Ade Bethune
- Guy Bleus
- Marcel Broodthaers
- Jean De Bast
- Victor Delhez
- Wim Delvoye
- Danny Devos
- Dr. Hugo Heyrman
- Panamarenko
Others
- Arturo Alfandari – diplomat, creator of the language Neo
- Menachem Banitt – expert in medieval French language and culture
- Edgard Colle – chess player
- Sabine Dardenne – victim of child molestor Marc Dutroux
- Jeanne de Bellem – political activist during the Brabant revolution
- Thierry de Duve – art critic and theorist
- Michel de Kemmeter (born 1964)
- Paul de Man – deconstructionist literary critic and theorist
- Joanna DeRoover – oldest documented living person in Belgium at the time of her death
- 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 – bell and carrillon founders
- Pierre Wynants – chef
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 2 3 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.
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