Famous Virginians
Virginia is home to more U.S. Presidents than any other state, but did you know Virginia is also…
Educators and Inventors
Inspiration found here. Nearly every child learns of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Both Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were born in Albemarle County, Virginia.
Richard E. Byrd –(1888-1957) Winchester; aviator, explorer of North and South poles
Meriwether Lewis – (1774-1809) Albemarle County; explored Louisiana Purchase for President Thomas Jefferson
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
Cyrus H. McCormick – (1809-1884) Rockbridge County; inventor of the grain reaper
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 MD, 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 County,VA) pioneer of steamboat development
Alexander Spotswood –(1676-1740) Royal Governor, led early expeditions into western Virginia
Booker T. Washington – (1856-1915) educator, founder of Tuskegee Institute
Historical Virginians
Meet the notable figures of Virginia's past. These names influenced and shaped Virginia and the…