Who are some famous people/celebrities from Virginia?

Question

athletes, actors, politicians, etc.

Answer 1

"In addition to being the birthplace of eight U.S. Presidents, Virginia is also the birthplace of Sam Houston, a Governor of Tennessee, later a President (1st and 3rd of four) of the Republic of Texas, and still later a U.S. Senator from and a Governor of the state of Texas. This also made him the only person in U.S. history to be a governor of two different states."

"Virginia" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia

See : "List of people from Virginia" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Virginia

Answer 2

I saw Richard Gere on Malibu pier in 1993. I went to the last Simon and Garfunkel concert in 2004 and met lots of celebs. Cilla Black, Jimmy Tarbuck, Rob Brydon and Matt Lucas (who were lovely), Will Young, Sara Cox, Anthony Warrall Thomson and Rick Stein.

Answer 3

Sandra Bullock
Shirley McClaine and Warren Beatty

Sissy Spacek and Robert DuVal moved to Virginia although they were not born there.

Answer 4

George Washington.
next question, please.

Answer 5

Maggie L. Walker – (1867-1934) Richmond; first woman bank president in America, advocate of black women'srights http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/ biographies/walker-ml.html
http://www.nps.gov/ malw/home.htm

L. Douglas Wilder – (1931- ) Richmond; First elected African-American Governor in U.S. history http://www.vahistorical.org/sva2003/wilder.htm
Booker T. Washington – (1856- ) educator, founder of Tuskegee Institute http://www.nps.gov/bowa/

Rita Dove – (1951- ) Akron, Ohio; currently teaches at UVA; U.S. Poet Laureat (1993-95), Pulitzer Prize winner (1987) http://people.virginia.edu/~rfd4b/

Pearl Bailey – (1918-1988) Newport News; Singer http://www.norfolk.gov/WalkOfFame/Pearl_Bailey.asp

Spencer Christian – Charles City; TV weatherman for ABC's "Good Morning America" http://premierespeakers.com/spencer_christian/bio

Ella Fitzgerald – (1917-1996) Newport News; Singer http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/about/bio/index.html

Tim Reid –Norfolk; TV actor, director "WKRP in Cincinnati", "Simon & Simon", "Sister, Sister" http://www.nmstudios.com/about_us/founders_tim_reid.htm

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson – (1878-1949) Richmond; dancer, stage and screen actor in early 1900s http://www.kathleenacademy.com/ funzone/bojangls.html

Blair Underwood – (1964-) Tacoma, WA moved to different states before settling in Alexandria, VA; actor, "L.A. Law" http://www.blairunderwood.com/bio.html

Willie Lanier (football) – (1945-) Clover; played football for the Kansas City Chiefs (1960-70); member, pro football Hall of Fame (1986) http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=122

Bruce Smith (football) – (1963-) Norfolk; Outland Trophy winner at Virginia Tech (1984) , Buffalo Bills, Washington, Redskins. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Smith

Lawrence Taylor (football) – (1959-) Williamsburg; played for the New York Giants (1981-1993); member, pro football Hall of Fame (1999) http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=212

Moses Malone (basketball) – (1955-) Petersburg; played for the Philadelphia 76ers (1983 league MVP –Philadephia 76ers http://www.nba.com/history/players/malonem_bio.html

Alonzo Mourning (basketball) – (1970-) Chesapeake;Miami Heat (1992-present) http://www.nba.com/playerfile/alonzo_mourning/bio.html

Ralph Sampson (basketball)- Harrisonburg; played basketball for the University of Virginia and the Houston Rockets http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Sampson

Arthur Ashe (tennis) – (1943-1993) Richmond; Wimbledon champion (1975) http://www.cmgww.com/sports/ashe/about/bio.htm
http://www.arthurashe.org

Pernell Whitaker – (boxing)-(1964-) Norfolk, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pernell_Whitaker

Roger Arliner Young - (zoologist) -(1889-1964) Clifton Forge The first African-American woman to be awarded a Ph.D. in zoology
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0800427.html
Moses Malone (basketball) – (1955-) Petersburg; played for the Philadelphia 76ers (1983 league MVP –Philadephia 76ers http://www.nba.com/history/players/malonem_bio.html

Alonzo Mourning (basketball) – (1970-) Chesapeake;Miami Heat (1992-present) http://www.nba.com/playerfile/alonzo_mourning/bio.html

Ralph Sampson (basketball)- Harrisonburg; played basketball for the University of Virginia and the Houston Rockets http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Sampson

Football

Bill Dudley – (1921- ) Bluefield; University of Virginia and the Pittsburg Steelers; member, pro football Hall of Fame(1966) http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=61

Willie Lanier (football) – (1945-) Clover; played football for the Kansas City Chiefs (1960-70); member, pro football Hall of Fame (1986) http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=122

Bruce Smith (football) – (1963-) Norfolk; Outland Trophy winner at Virginia Tech (1984) , Buffalo Bills, Washington, Redskins. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Smith

Lawrence Taylor (football) – (1959-) Williamsburg; played for the New York Giants (1981-1993); member, pro football Hall of Fame (1999) http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=212

Fran Tarkenton – (1940-) Richmond Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants; member, member, pro football Hall of Fame(1986) http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=209

Golf

Sam Snead – (1912-2002) Hot Springs; 3 Masters titles, 3 PGA titles, 1 British Open title http://www.golflegends.org/sam-snead.php

Curtis Strange – (1955-) Norfolk; U.S. Open champion (1988,1989), winner 1985 Canadian Open http://www.pgatour.com/players/00/21/59/

Lanny Wadkins (golf) – (1949-) Richmond; PGA title (1977) http://www.pgatour.com/players/00/22/42/

Racing

Ward Burton (1961-) South Boston; http://www.wardburton.com/About.asp

Jeff Burton (1967-) South Boston; http://www.nascar.com/news/headlines/cup/burtonj/

Stacy Compton (1967-) Hurt; http://www.nascar.com/drivers/dps/scompton00/bg/index.html

Denny Hamlin (1980-) Chesterfield;NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year 2006 http://www.nascar.com/news/headlines/cup/hamlin.bio/

Danny O'Quinn (1985-) Coeburn; Busch Series Rookie of the Year 2006 http://www.dannyoquinn.com/biography.html

Ricky Rudd (1956-) Chesapeake; http://www.nascar.com/drivers/dps/rrudd00/cup/index.html

Elliott Sadler (1975-) Emporia; http://www.nascar.com/news/headlines/cup/sadler.bio/

Hermie Sadler (1969-) Emporia; Busch Series Rookie of the Year 1993 http://www.sadlerfanclub.com/hsbio.shtml

Jon Wood (1981-) Stuart; http://www.woodbrothersjtg.com/driverbio.php?team_id=2



Misc. Sports

Arthur Ashe (tennis) – (1943-1993) Richmond; Wimbledon champion (1975)
http://www.cmgww.com/sports/ashe/about/bio.htm
http://www.arthurashe.org

Mary Meagher Plant (swimming) – 2 time Olympic gold medalist in swimming (1984) 100- and 200-meter butterfly, Trained at the Old Dominion Aquatic Club

Whitney Hedgepeth (swimming) (1971-) Colonial Heights – Three-time NCAA Champion and 21-time All-American, won a gold and two silver medals at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitney_Hedgepeth

Rada Owen (swimming) (1978-) Chesterfield - member of 2000 Olympic team.
Pernell Whitaker – (boxing) – (1964-) Norfolk. http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/whitaker.htm

Richard E. Byrd – (1888-1957) Winchester; aviator, explorer of North and South poles http://www.federallodge.org/byrdbio.htm
William Clark – (1770-1838) Albermarle County; explored Louisiana Purchase for President Thomas Jefferson http://www.edgate.com/lewisandclark/BIOs/BIO_W_Clark.html

Meriwether Lewis – (1774-1809) Albermarle County; explored Louisiana Purchase for President Thomas Jefferson http://www2.lucidcafe.com/lucidcafe/library/95 aug/lewis.html
Matthew Fontaine Maury – (1806-1873) Fredericksburg; mapped ocean currents, "Pathfinder of the Seas" Burial: Hollywood Cemetery - Monument in his honor located on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia http://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG97/monument/ maurybio.html
Cyrus H. McCormick – (1809-1884) Rockbridge County; inventor of the grain reaper http://www.vaes.vt.edu/steeles/mccormick/bio.html http://www.lexingtonvirginia.com/cyrus_mccormick_ farm.htm

Dr.Ephraim McDowell – (1771-1830) Rockbridge County; "father of abdominal surgery"

William McGuffey – (1800-1873) Claysville, PA (UVA professor) educator, author of "McGuffey Readers"

Walter Reed – (1851-1902) Belroi; Army doctor, discovered cause of yellow fever

John Rolfe – (1585-1622) Norfolk, England; introduced tobacco to America in 1612

Edmund Ruffin – (1794-1865) Prince George County; founded public education system in Virginia

James Rumsey – (1743-1792) Cecil County, MD (lived in Bath,VA) pioneer of steamboat development http://www.lib.shepherdstown.wv.us/sin/rumsey.html

Alexander Spotswood – Royal Governor, led early expeditions into western Virginia

Booker T. Washington – (1856-) educator, founder of Tuskegee

Pearl Bailey – (1918-1988) Newport News; singer
http://www.wic.org/bio/pbailey.htm

Chris Brown - (1990- ) Tappahannock; Hip-Hop singer
http://www.chrisbrownworld.com

Maybelle Carter – (1909-1979) Nicklesville; country singer
http://www.bluegrassrules.com/porch/carter_fold.htm

June Carter Cash –country singer, was married to Johnny Cash

Roy Clark – Lunenburg; country singer, star of "Hee Haw"
http://www.roy-clark.com/

The Barter Theater in Abingdon is the Official State Theater of Virginia.
Phil Balsley – Staunton; member of the country-western singing group the Statler Brothers http://www.thestatlerbrothers.com/

Patsy Cline – (1932-1963) Winchester; country singer http://www.patsycline.com/

Missy Elliot - Portsmouth; considered top female hip-hop artist of all time. http://www.missyelliott.tv/

Ella Fitzgerald – (1917-1996) Newport News; singer http://www.greatwomen.org/profile.php?id=2

Jimmy Fortune – Nelson County; member of the country-western singing group the Statler Brothers http://www.thestatlerbrothers.com/

Bruce Hornsby – Williamsburg; singer http://www.brucehornsby.com/

Dave Mathews – (1967) South Africa; settled in Charlottesville; singer http://www.dmband.com

Wayne Newton – (1942-) Roanoke; singer/Las Vegas entertainer

Don Reid – Staunton; member of the country music group the Statler Brothers http://www.thestatlerbrothers.com/

Harold Reid – Staunton; member of the country music group the Statler Brothers http://www.thestatlerbrothers.com/

Kate Smith – (1909-1986) Greenville; singer

Elliott Yamin - Virginia's newest famous musician. A finalist from American Idol, Yamin resides in Richmond.

Movies

Warren Beatty – (1937-) Richmond; movie actor and director, Academy Award winner as director of "Reds" http://us.imdb.com/Bio?Beatty,+Warren

Sandra Bullock - (1964-) Arlington; movie actress, producer and director.

Joseph Cotten – (1905-1994) Petersburg; movie actor

Shirley MacLaine – Richmond; stage and screen actress, Academy Award winner http://www.shirleymaclaine.com/

George C. Scott – (1927-1999) Wise; movie actor, Academy Award winner for "Patton"

Blair Underwood is from Alexandria.
Blair Underwood –(1964-) Tacoma, Washington; moved to different states before settling in Alexandria, VA. actor, "LA Law" http://www.blairunderwood.com/bio.shtml

Television

Spencer Christian – Charles City; TV weatherman for ABC's "Good Morning America" http://204.202.137.110/onair/goodmorningamerica/biographies/index.html

Katie Couric – (1957-) Arlington; "Today Show" host

Tim Reid –Norfolk; TV actor, director "WKRP in Cincinnati", "Simon & Simon", " Sister Sister"; http://www.timreidproductions.com/biography.htm

Willard Scott – (1934-) Alexandria; TV weatherman, NBC's "Today Show"

Misc.

Kylene Barker – Galax; 1979 Miss America

Nicole Johnson – Virginia Beach; 1999 Miss America

Robert Porterfield – founder of the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, the State Theater of Virginia http://www.bartertheatre.com/

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson – (1878-1949) Richmond; dancer, stage and screen actor in early 1900s http://www.bojanglesmuseum.com/000main.htm http://www.kathleenacademy.com/ funzone/bojangls.html

Historical Virginians

Colonial Early American Civil War

20th Century Revolutionary Back to Kid's Page

Colonial & Revolutionary (1607-1789)

Nathaniel Bacon (1647-1676) led "Bacon's Rebellion" against British authority in 1676 http://www.apva.org/apva/bacons_castle_rebellion.php

George Rogers Clark (1752-1818) Charlottesville; Revolutionary War soldier captured Northwest Territories from British; www.myoldkentuckyroots.com/georgerodgersclark.html




St. John's Church is the home of Patrick Henry's famous speech "Give Me Libery or Give me Death" Patrick Henry (1736-1799) Hanover; orator; patriot leader; famous for "liberty or death" speech; governor Home: Red Hill - http://www.redhill.org/
Famous Speech: St. John’s Episcopal Church, Richmond - http://www.historicstjohnschurch.org/
pages/reenact.htm

Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee – (1756-1818) Prince William County; Revolutionary War hero; father of Robert E. Lee; http://www.stratfordhall.org/
Richard Henry Lee – (1732-1794) Westmoreland County; presented the proposal for independence to Continental Congress in 1776; Home: Stratford Hall- http://www.stratfordhall.org/



George Mason – (1725-1792) Fairfax County; author of Virginia Declaration of Rights Home: Gunston Hall - http://visit.gunstonhall.org/georgemason/

Daniel Morgan – (1736-1802) Shenandoah Valley; Revolutionary War soldier; leader of "Morgan's Rifles" http://www.nps.gov/cowp/dmorgan.htm

Pocahontas – (1595-1617) daughter of Indian Chief Powhatan; married John Rolfe http://www.apva.org/history/pocahont.html

Peyton Randolph – (1721-1775) Williamsburg; President of First Continental Congress; http://www.history.org/Almanack/people/bios/biorapey.cfm

John Smith – (1579-1631) leader of first settlement at Jamestown; http://www.apva.org/history/jsmith.html

George Wythe – (1726-1806) Hampton; first professor of law in an American college, the College of William and Mary; http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/Almanack/people/bios/biowythe.cfm

top of page ;

Back to Famous Virginians


Early American (1789-1860)

Stephen F. Austin – (1793-1836) leader of Texas independence from Mexico movement; http://www.lsjunction.com/people/austin.htm

James Barbour – (1775-1842) Orange County; Secretary of War (1825-1828); http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/sw-sa/Barbour.htm

Philip P. Barbour – (1783-1841); Speaker of the House (1821-1823), Supreme Court Justice (1836-1841). http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/legal_entity/25/biography

Henry Clay – (1777-1852) Hanover County; famous orator and statesman; moved to Kentucky after youth in Virginia. http://www.bellenet.com/clay.html

Peter V. Daniel – (1784 – 1860) Stafford County; Supreme Court Justice (1841-1860) Burial: Hollywood Cemetery - http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=5671&pt=Peter%20Daniel
http://www2.law.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/foliocgi.exe/justices/query=*/doc/{t80}

John B. Floyd – (1806 – 1863) Smithfield; Governor of Virginia (1849-1852); Secretary of War (1857-1861) http://library.thinkquest.org/12587/contents/personalities/jfloyd/jf.html

Thomas W. Gilmer – Secretary of the Navy (1844) http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-g/t-gilmer.htm

Sam Houston – (1793-1863) Rockbridge County; Governor of Tennessee (1827-1829); first President of Republic of Texas (1836-1838); http://www.lsjunction.com/people/houston.htm

Charles Lee – (1731-1782) Cheshire, England; Attorney General (1795-1801) http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/bdsds/chaslee.html

John Marshall – (1755-1835) Fauquier County; Chief Justice of Supreme Court (1805-1835); http://www.apva.org/apva/marshall_house_marshall_bio.php Home: The John Marshall House http://www.apva.org/apva/marshall_house.php

John Y. Mason – (1799-1859) Greensville County; Secretary of the Navy (1844-1849), Attorney General (1845-1846); http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-m/jy-mason.htm

Edmund Randolph – (1753-1813) Williamsburg; First Attorney General of the United States (1789-1794); Secretary of State (1794-1795); Governor of Virginia (1786)-http://www.history.org/Almanack/people/bios/bioraedm.cfm

John Randolph – (1727-1784) Williamsburg; congressman, political writer;Burial: Hollywood Cemetery - http://www.history.org/Almanack/people/bios/bioratjr.cfm

Winfield Scott – (1786-1866) Petersburg; General, hero of Mexican-American War; http://library.thinkquest.org/12587/contents/personalities/wscott/ws.html?tqskip=1

Alexander H. H. Stuart –(1807-1891) Staunton; Secretary of the Interior (1850-1853); http://valley.vcdh.virginia.edu/personalpapers/collections/augusta/stuart.html

Abel P. Upshur – (1790-1844) Northampton County; Secretary of the Navy (1841-1843) http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-u/a-upshur.htm

William Wirt – (1772-1834) Bladensburg, MD; Attorney General (1817-1829) http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/brush/wirt.htm

top of page ;

Back to Famous Virginians

Civil War (1861-1865)

www.civilwar-va.com

http://www.civilwarhome.com/index.htm

Hollywood Cemetery http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/famousSearch.cgi?mode=cemetery&FScemeteryid=50668


Jubal Early- (1816–1894) Franklin County; Confederate general; http://www.jubalearly.org/jubal.html

A.P. Hill – (1825-1865) Culpeper; Confederate general; Burial: A Monument in Richmond at corners of Hermitage Rd and Laburnum Ave. http://www.aphillcsa.com/

Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson – (1824-1863) Clarksburg; Confederate general; Burial: Lexington, VA; http://www.stonewalljackson.org/

Joseph E. Johnston – (1807-1891) Prince Edward County; Confederate general; first commander of Confederate Army. http://www.civilwarhome.com/joejohnston.htm

Fitzhugh Lee – (1835-1905) Confederate general; Governor of Virginia; commanded United States forces in Cuba during Spanish-American War (1898); Burial: Hollywood Cemetery - http://www.aboutfamouspeople.com/article1172.html
http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/1898/lee.html

Robert E. Lee – (1807-1870) Westmoreland County; Commanding general, Confederate Army of Northern Virginia; http://www.civilwarhome.com/leebio.htm
Birth: Stratford Hall - http://www.stratfordhall.org/
Arlington House: http://www.nps.gov/arho/

John Singleton Mosby – (1833-1916) Edgemont; "The Gray Ghost", Confederate cavalry commander; http://www.civilwarhome.com/mosbybio.htm
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=55233

George Pickett – (1825-1875) Richmond; Confederate general, led fateful charge at Battle of Gettysburg; http://www.civilwarhome.com/pickettbio.htm
Burial: Hollywood Cemetery - http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=812

J.E.B. Stuart – (1933-1864) Patrick County; Confederate general; Birthplace: Laurel Hill Plantation - http://www.jebstuart.org/
Burial: Hollywood Cemetery - http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=986/


top of page ;


20th Century


Henry H. Fowler – (1908-2000) Roanoke; Secretary of the Treasury (1965-1968); http://www.treas.gov/offices/management/curator/collection/secretary/fowler.htm

Carter Glass – (1858-1946) Lynchburg; Secretary of the Treasury (1918-1920); http://www.minneapolisfed.org/pubs/region/97-12/glass-bio.cfm?js=0l


John O. Marsh Jr. – (1926- ) Winchester; Secretary of the Army (1980-1989); http://www.su.edu/marsh/Honjomjr.htm

Lewis F. Powell Jr. – (1907-1998) Suffolk; Supreme Court Justice (1972-1990); http://ln.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0839948.html
http://www.ripon.edu/faculty/bowenj/antitrust/Powell.htm

Claude A. Swanson – (1862-1939) Pittsylvania County; Secretary of the Navy (1933-1940); http://www.victorianvilla.com/sims-mitchell/local/swanson/ca/
http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/people/A0847382.html

Maggie L. Walker – (1867-1934) Richmond; first woman bank president in America, advocate of black women's rights; http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/walker-ml.html
http://www.nps.gov/malw/home.htm

John W. Warner – (1927- ) Amherst County; Secretary of the Navy (1972-1974); U.S. Senator (1979-present); http://warner.senate.gov/l

L. Douglas Wilder – (1931- ) Richmond; First elected African-American Governor in U.S. history; http://www.vahistorical.org/education/ldwilder.htm

George Washington (1731-1799) Westmoreland County

Presidency: (1st, 1789-1797) set pattern for all following presidents.

Birthplace: George Washington Birthplace National Monument – http://www.nps.gov/gewa/index.htm

Home: Mount Vernon - http://www.mountvernon.org/

Burial: Mount Vernon


Monticello was designed and built by Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) Albermarle County

Presidency: (3rd, 1801-1809)”Lousiana Territory”

Home: Monticello - http://www.monticello.org/

Burial: Monticello


Montpelier was the home of James Madison
James Madison

James Madison (1751-1836) Port Conway

Presidency: (4th, 1809-1817)”Father of the Constitution”

Home: Montpelier
http://www.montpelier.org/

Burial: Madison Family Cemetery - Montpelier, Orange Co., Virginia Cemetery
http://www.jamesmadisonmus.org/resource.htm


James Monroe's home was Ashlawn Highland
James Monroe

James Monroe (1758-1831) Westmoreland County

Presidency: (5th, 1817-1825) “Monroe Doctrine”

Home: Ash Lawn Highland - http://www.ashlawnhighland.org/

Burial: Hollywood Cemetery - http://www.hollywoodcemetery.org/history.html


Berkeley Plantation, birthplace of William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison

William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) Charles City County

Presidency: (9th, 1841) First president to die in office

Birthplace: Berkeley Plantation
http://www.jamesriverplantations.org/Berkeley.html


Sherwood Forest was John Tyler's home
John Tyler

John Tyler (1790-1862) Greenway

Presidency: (10th, 1841-1845) Annexed Texas at the end of his administration

Home: Sherwood Forest
http://www.sherwoodforest.org/

Burial: Hollywood Cemetery - http://www.hollywoodcemetery.org/history.html


Hollywood Cemetery is located in Richmond and is the burial place of many famous Virginians
Zachary Taylor

Zachary Taylor (1784-1850) Barboursville

Presidency: (12th, 1849-1850) First career soldier to become president


Manse is located in Staunton, Virginia Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) Staunton

Presidency: (28th, 1913-1921)

Birthplace: Manse - http://www.woodrowwilson.org


Russell Baker– (1925-) Loudoun County; political columnist, Pulitzer Prize winner (1979, 1983)
http://knightfellows.stanford.edu/public/lectures/baker_bio.html

Rita Mae Brown - Along with her cat Sneaky Pie has written several mysteries set in Crozet, Va.
http://www.ritamaebrown.org

William Cabell Bruce –(1860-1946) Staunton Hill; historian; Pulitzer Prize winner (1918)
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B000972

William Byrd II – (1674-1744) Westover; chronicler of early colonial life;
http://www.resnet.wm.edu/~rkdone/williambyrdpage.html

James Branch Cabell – (1879-1958) Richmond; fiction writer in 1900s; http://www.library.vcu.edu/jbc/speccoll/exhibit/cabell/jbclife.html

Edgar Cayce - Founder of the Association for Research and Enlightenment A.R.E. in Virginia Beach, which represents the most massive collection of psychic information.
http://www.are-cayce.com

Willa Cather – (1873-1947) Back Creek Valley; novelist, early 1900s, Pulitzer Prize winner (1923); http://fp.image.dk/fpemarxlind/

Patricia Cornwell – (1956- ) Novelist, crime and mystery;
http://hjem.get2net.dk/bnielsen/cornwell.html

Virginius Dabney – historian, newspaper editor; Pulitzer Prize winner (1948)
Rita Dove – (1951- ) Akron, Ohio (now teaches at UVA); U.S. Poet Laureat (1993-95); Pulitzer Prize winner (1987);
http://www.wilmington.org/poets/dove.html

John A. Elder – painter of famous Civil War scenes

Sir Moses Ezekiel – (1844-1917) Richmond; sculptor; famous for Civil War subjects, knighted by the Emperor of Germany and King of Italy; http://www.arlingtoncemetery.com/ezekiel.htm

Douglas Southall Freeman – (1886-1953) Lynchburg; historian, newspaper editor, one the America's greatest biographers, Pulitzer Prize winner (1935, 1958) http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/04730.html

Ellen Glasgow – (1873-1945) Richmond; fiction writer in early 1900s, Pulitzer Prize winner (1942); Burial: Hollywood Cemetery
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=glasgow&GScid=50668&GRid=397&

Earl Hamner Jr.- (1923-) Schuyler; novelist, creator of "The Waltons" televison series; http://www.the-waltons.com/earl.html

James J. Kilpatrick – (1920) Richmond newspaper columnist on politics and the English language
http://www.uexpress.com/coveringthecourts/bio.cfm

Joanne Liggan — Mechanicsville, Heir of Deception, Llumina Press http://www.llumina.com/store/heir.htm

David J. Mays – historian, Pulitzer Prize winner (1953)

Sharyn McCrumb - (1944) historical novelist best known for her Appalachian "Ballad" novels.
http://www.sharynmccrumb.com

Charles McDowell – newspaper columnist

Gari Melchers – (1860-1932) Detroit, Michigan (died in VA) painter, sculptor: Member of the Va. Arts Commission
http://departments.mwc.edu/belm/www/about_gary_melchers.html

Thomas Nelson Page – (1853-1922) fiction writer of the 1800s; http://docsouth.unc.edu/pageolevir/about.html

Edgar Allan Poe – (1809-1849) Boston, Mass; famous writer of novels, poetry, short stories; www.poemuseum.org

Tom Robbins – (1936- ) Blowing Rock, N.C. (moved to VA in 40’s); novelist; http://www.rain.org/~da5e/trbio.html

Ann Spencer – (1882-1976) African-American poet;

William Stith – (1707-1755) England; colonial historian- “History of the First Discovery and Settlement of Virginia”
http://www.history.org/History/jdrlweb/exhibits/treasurehistory.cfm

William Styron – (1925-) Newport News; novelist; Pulitzer Prize winner (1968) "Confessions of Nat Turner"
http://www.virginia.edu/~history/courses/courses.old/hius323/styron.html

Edward V. Valentine – sculptor, famous for statues honoring prominent Virginians. Robert E. Lee sculpture by Valentine can be seen in the United States Capitol. Jefferson Davis statue by Valentine can be seen on Monument Avenue.
http://www.valentinemuseum.com/sculpture/edValentine.html

Tom Wolfe – (1931-) Richmond; novelist – "Bonfire of the Vanities"; non-fiction - "The Right Stuff " http://www.tomwolfe.com