I dare say you are intending to exclude anyone who achieved a bad eminence?  Villains are a part of our history too.  But I take it that this is meant to be a feel-good project.

In any event, how about Jacob Hays, High Constable of New York City from about 1810 to 1850.
Dr. Charles Norris, first Medical Examiner of NYC
Owen Kildare, Bowery thug turned journalist and novelist, author of My Mamie Rose and several other books  My Mamie Rose is an interesting book. his life a fascinating story.
Varerian J. O'Farrell, policeman, private detective, and considered for the first head of the F. B. I (but J. Edgar Hoover managed to get a knife into his back first)
James Hewlett, star of The African Theatre (but his place of birth is not known for certain)
Ira Aldridge, actor
James McCune Smith, graduate of the University of Glasgow and advocate for the rights of black New Yorkers, 1830s and after
David Ruggles, also a black activist of the 1830s
Cato Alexander

GAT

George A. Thompson
Author of A Documentary History of "The African
Theatre", Northwestern Univ. Pr., 1998.

----- Original Message -----
From: Linda Norris <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sunday, December 1, 2002 9:18 am
Subject: Born in New York

> The Native New Yorkers Hall of Fame, a newly chartered
> organization located
> in Sullivan County, is beginning work on an initial traveling exhibit
> designed to engage visitors of all ages in discussion about the
> accomplishments of those individuals born in New York.   A long
> list is
> already underway, with those easy to think of (those four
> presidents) and
> those less often thought of as New Yorkers (Carl Yaztremski,  L.
> Frank Baum,
> Joan Baez and Herman Melville, to name an eclectic few).
>
> We're interested in hearing about New Yorkers from your area that
> have made
> significant accomplishments in areas such as literature, visual arts,
> journalism, popular culture, science, business and education and
> reform.Our goal is to develop a broad-based list that represents
> the diversity of
> New York State.
>
> At a later date, the Hall of Fame will be accepting formal
> nominations; this
> information is for the preliminary exhibition, scheduled to open
> in May,
> 2003.
>
> If you have names and accomplishments to share, I look forward to
> hearingfrom you.  Thanks for any help you can provide!
>
> Linda Norris
> Riverhill
> History and Folklife for Museums and Communities
> Treadwell, NY  13846
>