Famous People

Arthur Ashe (1943 - 1993) Famous African American tennis player who won 3 Grand Slam titles. Born in Richmond, VA (603)

Steven Fuller Austin (1793 - 1836) Founding father of Texas and namesake of the state's capital. Born in Wythe County, VA (550)

Warren Beatty (1937 - ) Director, actor, producer, writer; Has won many Golden Globe and Academy Awards. Born in Richmond, VA (600)

James Bridger (1804 - 1881) Trapper, guide and storyteller; Considered by some to be the first European American to see the Great Salt Lake. Born in , VA (669)

Admiral Richard E. Byrd (1888 - 1957) Explorer and first man to fly over North and South poles. Born in Winchester, VA (614)

William Clark (1770 - 1838) William Clark and Meriwether Lewis led the Corps of Discovery through North Dakota, where they spent the winter of 1804-1805 near Washburn at Fort Mandan. Born in Caroline, VA (430)

Roy Clark (1933 - ) Country music artist. He also hosted one of the first nationally televised country variety shows. Born in Meherrin, VA (601)

Ella Fitzgerald (1917 - 1996) Jazz singer who is considered to be one of the most influential jazz singers of the 20th century; She won 13 Grammy awards and many other honorable awards. Born in Newport News, VA (604)

William Henry Harrison (1773 - 1841) Ninth president of the U.S. He was also an American Military leader, politician, the 1st governor of the Indiana Territory, a U.S Senator from Ohio, and a war hero. Born in Charles City County, VA (610)

Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826) Third president of the U.S. ,the author of the Declaration of Independence, and one of the most influential founding fathers. Born in Albemarle County, VA (607)

Meriwether Lewis (1774 - 1809) Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led a famous expedition to the Pacific ocean. Born in Albemarle County, VA (594)

James Madison (1751 - 1836) Fourth president of the U.S. and considered to be the father of the Constitution. Born in Port Conway, King George, VA (608)

James Monroe (1758 - 1831) Fifth president of the U.S.; He also played a leading role in the War of 1812 as Secretary of War and Secretary of State. Born in Westmoreland County, VA (609)

Zachary Taylor (1784 - 1850) 12th president of the U.S. and a great military leader who had over 40 years of military experience. Born in Orange County, VA (612)

John Tyler (1790 - 1862) Tenth president of the U.S.; Became the first president to take office after the death of the residing president. Born in Charles City County, VA (611)

Booker T. Washington (1856 - 1915) African-American educator and founder of Tuskegee Institute. Born in Hale's Ford, VA (605)

George Washington (1732 - 1799) First president of the U.S.. He also led the U.S. Continental Army to victory over Britain in the Revolutionary War. Born in Westmoreland County, VA (606)

James E. West (1931 - ) Inventor of the Foil Electret Microphone. Born in Prince Edward County, VA (602)

Woodrow Wilson (1856 - 1924) 28th president of the U.S..He was also a leading person in the Progressive Era, President of Princeton University, and reform governor of New Jersey. Born in Staunton, VA (613)