The Derby Hall of Fame is made up of Derby natives and residents who have helped to shape the course of history through their achievements at the local, state, national or international level. Each of these individuals selected was either born in Derby or lived or worked here at some point in his/her life. Living individuals are not eligible for selection.

You can nominate someone anytime by clicking here to send an e-mail. Please make sure that you provide biographical information about the person that you are nominating and not just a name. Nominations are kept on file for three years.

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Derby Announces Class of 2024

The 18th anniversary class for the Derby Hall of Fame chosen by the Hall of Fame Committee brings the number of Hall members to 66. The official announcement was made at the meeting of the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen on May 7, 2024 in time for Derby's 349th birthday on May 13. Each of the members is memorialized with a brick on the plaza at the entrance to the Derby Greenway.

The two members of the Class of 2024 showcase both the local and international reach of people from Derby. Eliza Jane Gillet was the daughter of a Derby businessman who grew up wanting to wanting to make her mark in education while quietly wishing to do so as a missionary. And she succeeded and her legacy really lives on in China. Click here to learn more about her.

On the other hand George Blakeman made his mark in Derby for over 100 years! His talents extended to business, politics, and investment among other. He was so celebrated locally that the community turned his 100th birthday into one big celebration for the whole town. Click here to learn more about his extended life.

In 2015 the Derby High School Athletic Hall of Fame was started, and you can learn more about that here. Two members of the City Hall of Fame were also in the inaugural class of the High School Athletic Hall.


The Hall of Fame is part of this plaza on the Derby Greenway.

The initial class of eleven individuals was inducted into the Hall of Fame on September 1, 2007. Click here for the story. Click the year to read more about each: 

2007  2008   2009  2010   2011  2012   2013   2014  2015   2016   2017   2018   2019  2020  2021 2022  2023  2024

Derby Hall of Fame

Click on the links to read about their accomplishments.

  James B. Atwater Joseph L. Hong Moo
Bassett, Ebenezer Leo T. Molloy
Dr. Ambrose Beardsley Samuel Orcutt
  George Blakeman  Patrick B. O'Sullivan
Rev. John Bowes HeadstoneRev. John Bowers Major Wilbur Fiske Osborne
Henry M. Bradley, Jr. Graham Peck
  Eliza Bridgman Anson Phelps
Edward J. Cotter Dr. Albert Phillips
John Clewes Mary T.Portis
Giuseppe Cusano Leo F. "Nuggy" Ryan
DeFilippo, Lou Henry Shelton Sanford
Brian Dennehy quiz13.jpg (7254 bytes) Edward N. Shelton
  Jerry Denny

Jane DeForest Shelton

Rev. John Jordan Dillon Bob Skoronski
Herbert Henry Dow Sheldon Smith 
WilliamF. Durand Ann Stephens 
  Dr. Robert Feeney Charles Sterling
Quosh Freeman John Storrs 
 Frank Gates Edmund Strang
Molly Hatchett Dr. Joseph Stygar
Harry Haugh George P. Sullivan
Josiah Holbrook David Torrance
Dr. John Ireland Howe Donald Waldhaus
David Humphreys Horace Weston
Commodore Isaac Hull Joseph Wheeler
Orson Hyde Stephen Whitney
Col. George H. Kneen William Whitney
Clara Louise Kellogg J. Newton Williams
Frances Osborne Kellogg Frank P. Witek
James D. Kennedy   Col. Holton Wood
Pierre Lallement Edward Wooster
Reverend Richard Mansfield William B. Wooster
James McKenzie Harold Yudkin

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