List of people associated with Thanjavur district

Pattukottai Chinnaiya Iyer (1700 - 1750), philanthropist, who, among other things, built a number of free rest houses for pilgrims travelling on foot from Kashi to Rameswaram and Kanyakumari via Pattukottai. Chinnaiya street in Pattukottai is named after him.

• Sakkottai Krishnaswami Aiyangar (1871–1947), Indian historian and Dravidologist.
• Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887–1920), Indian mathematician. Regarded amongst the world's greatest mathematicians.
• U. V. Swaminatha Iyer (1855–1942), Tamil scholar, linguist and music composer. Affectionately called Tamil thatha.

• Abirami Pattar (c. 18th century AD), Tamil saint and poet. Author of Abirami Anthathi and Hindu religious works in Tamil.
• Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (b 1956), spiritual leader, yogi and founder of 'Art of Living'.

• Sir T. Madhava Rao (1828–1891), Diwan of Travancore from 1857 to 1872 and an early leader of the Indian National Congress.
• T. Venkata Rao, Diwan of Travancore from 1821 to 1829 and 1838 to 1839.
• T. Ananda Rao (1852–1919), Indian administrator. Diwan of Mysore from 1909 to 1912. Son of Sir T. Madhava Rao.
• Panchapekesan Thiagarajan Iyer : Was Sub Divisional Magistrate of Pattukottai Court sometime during the late nineteenth century.
• V. P. Madhava Rao (1850–1934), Indian administrator. Diwan of Mysore from 1906 to 1909 and Baroda from 1910 to 1913.
• Orathur N. Srinivasan, B.A.B.L., Deputy Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, responsible for the construction of Srirangam Rajagopuram.

• G. A. Natesan (1873–1948), Indian journalist and publisher. Founder of publishing company G. A. Natesan & Co. and editor of The Indian Review.

• N.Srinivasan, Artist famous for Digital Paintings, who have received Kalaimamani award in 2009.

• Sivaji Ganesan, Tamil Actor of Legendary Fame.
• T. R. Rajakumari (1922–1999), Tamil film actress.
• S. Shankar (b. 1963), South Indian Film maker and Director,
• Hema Malini, (b. 1948) Bollywood actress.
• Vijayakumar (actor), South Indian Film Actor.
• Rajesh, (b. 1949), South Indian Film Actor.
• Aravindswamy, Famous Actror from Melattur
• Prabhu, son of Sivaji Ganesan
• Suganya, Actress

• Ko. Si. Mani (b. 1929), Minister in the Tamil Nadu State Government.
• G. K. Vasan (b. 1964), Cabinet Minister in the Government of India.
• G. K. Moopanar (1931–2001), Tamil politician and leader of the Indian National Congress. Founder of the Tamil Maanila Congress.
• A Y S Parisutham Nadar (1909–1985), member of the Indian National Congress, MLA in 1946-1952, 1957–1962 and 1967-1971. Municipal Chairman, 1959-1961.
• Rao Bahadur A.Y.Arulanandhasamy Nadar (1897–1954), Municipal Chairman, 1942-1945. Co-Founder of Karanthai Thamizh Sangam. Philanthropist - Donated lands to Guild of Service and Samiappa Co-operative Institute
• P. A. Yagappa Nadar (1899–1956), Congress leader in Thanjavur District Board, 1949-1954. Donor of the lands to Thanjavur Medical College.
• S. Muthiah Mudaliar (1883–1953), Indian politician of the Justice Party and later, the Swaraj Party. Minister of education and excise for the Madras Presidency from 1928 to 1930.
• Sir P. S. Sivaswami Iyer (1864–1946), Indian lawyer. Advocate General of Madras Presidency from 1907 to 1911.
• V. S. Srinivasa Sastri (1869–1946), Indian freedom fighter, orator and teacher. Was called the "Silver Tongued Orator of the British Empire" by Winston Churchill.
• S. A. Saminatha Iyer (d. 1899), Indian lawyer and freedom-fighter.
• R. Venkataraman (1910–2009), Indian politician and freedom-fighter. Served as the 8th President of India (1987–1992); Vice-President of India (1984–1987)
• M.Karunanidhi
• Adanjur A.Singaravel viruthullar (1898-1960), Congress leader and member of Thanjavur district board (consisting nagapattinam, thiruvarur and pudukottai) from 1949-1959.
• A. T. Pannirselvam (1888–1940), Indian administration and Justice Party politician.
• R. Swaminatha Merkondar, member of the Indian National Congress party, represented the District of Uthiramerur in the Madras Assembly from 1957-62 representing the Tiruvaiyaru constituency.
• M. Ramkumar, is an Indian politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu. He was the chairman district panchayat (Thanjavur district) from 1996 to 2001.
• V.Vairavathevar (1913-1989), Member of parliament, INC.
• A.Vairavanservai , Member of parliament, INC.

• Varun Chakravarthy, Indian cricketer.