Nana Saheb Peshwa

Nana Saheb was a maratha leader who played a stellar role during the first war of Indian Independence in 1857. He captured Cawnpore(now Kanpur) from the British and declared himself the Peshwa.He called for the total removal of British presence from the Indian soil.

Gopal Das "Neeraj"

Kanpur is home to Gopal Das Saxena "Neeraj" , one of the most popular Hindi Poets of India . He also did his Masters of Arts from DAV College ,Kanpur. A Padma Shree,Padma Bhushan awardee "Neeraj" is one of the few poets to have a very successful period in Hindi cinema as well. He penned the lyrics for movies like Mera Naam Joker, Prem Pujari, Sharmilee, Pehchan, Chanda Aur Bijli, Tere Mere Sapne, Kanyadan, and Gambler. He is known to have a special relationship with Dev Anand and SD Burman and also won a filmfare for the best lyricist in 1970.

Capt Lakshmi Sehgal

Capt Lakshmi Sahgal (24 October 1914-23 July 2012) was an ex-officer and commander of the 'Rani of Jhansi Regiment' of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's Indian National Army .She was a Padma Vibhushan awardee. She was very active during the Independence movement . A doctor by profession, Sahgal was working as a medical practitioner and a social worker. She was known as Captain Lakshmi throughout her life even though Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose promoted her to the rank of Colonel Sahgal married Colonel Prem Kumar Sahgal in March 1947.
After their marriage, they settled in Kanpur,where she continued with her medical practice and aided the refugees who were arriving in large numbers following the Partition of India.
In 2002, four leftist parties-the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Revolutionary Socialist Party, and the All India Forward Bloc- nominated Sahgal as a candidate in the presidential elections. She was the sole opponent of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who emerged victorious.

Bob Woolmer

Bob Woolmer,the English cricketer and coach was born in kanpur.