* Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759), a German-born British Baroque composer, is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the 18th century. He was born in Halle and lived there until he was 17.
* Johann Samuel Petri (1738-1808), a German Lutheran theologian and philosopher, was born in Halle and studied there. He later became a professor of theology at the University of Halle and served as the university's rector from 1785 to 1786.
* Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834), a German theologian, philosopher, and biblical critic, was born in Halle and studied there. He later became a professor of philosophy and theology at the University of Berlin.
* Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831), a German philosopher, was born in Stuttgart but studied in Halle. He later became a professor of philosophy at the University of Berlin.
* Heinrich Heine (1797-1856), a German poet, essayist, and satirist, was born in Düsseldorf but lived in Halle for a time. He studied law at the University of Halle and was active in the Young Germany movement.
* Edouard Manet (1832-1883), a French painter, was born in Paris to German parents. He studied art in Halle before moving to Paris.
* Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), a German philosopher, was born in Röcken, near Lützen, which is now part of Saxony-Anhalt but historically belonged to Halle. He was born to a Lutheran pastor and moved to Naumburg with his family when he was five years old. He later studied philology and philosophy at the University of Leipzig.