Desiderius Erasmus (1469-1536) Considered the most famous person of Rotterdam. He was educated as priest and later became a monk in the monastery of Stein in Gouda. In 1495 "Rotterdamensis" was added to its name and later on was changed to Roterodamus.Humanist, theologian and founder of Humanism. His work includes: Adagia, Praise of Folly, Manual of the Christian Knight, The Education of a Christian Prince, The Colloquies, Ecclesiastes and On the purity of the Christian church. The catholic Church accused him of trying to start a “Reformation”. He died in 1536 in Basel, Switzerland.

Piet Heyn (1577-1629) He was born in Delfshaven. In 1623 he was named Vice-admiral to the service of the VIC (The Dutch West India Company). One of the main missions of the VIC was the shipment of privateering boats. He sailed in the first mission formed by 26 ships to take the city of Bahia near Brazil. He captured numerous Spanish and Portuguese ships before becoming famous by the capture of the Spanish Silver Fleet in 1628.

Willen Nicolaas Rose (1801-1877) He was considered in 1838 as the architect of Rotterdam. One of his plans was to organize the piping system and the river channels. Time after time, Rose's plans were rejected by the authorities. His water plan, to construct channels around the city and to extend the ports of the Fejenoord area, was concluded by his successors. He also introduced sidewalks in the city, and the gas lighting system.

Gerrit Johannes de Jongh (1845-1917) Gerrit de Jongh held the position of director of municipal works of Rotterdam during several years. Gerrit was authoritarian and decisive. He convinced the city council to buy land in the districts of Noordereiland and Fejenoord. He designed the port of Rijnhaven which contributed to the economic growth of Noordereiland and Fejenoord. He made the urban plan for the drainage system and initiated the construction of new channels in the city. Under his mandate the electrical lighting system was completed and the ports of Maashaven and Waalhaven were excavated.