Famous People from North Carolina

North Carolina Biographies, Famous People from North Carolina

Alexander McGillivray

Susan B. Anthony (1820 - 1906) One of the leaders in the fight for womens right to vote; lived in Rochester.

Caleb Bradham (1867 - 1934) Pharmacist from New Bern, North Carolina, created the first Pepsi-Cola for dyspepsia, or indigestion. In 1902 Bradham began bottling the soft drink in the back room of his drugstore.

John Coltrane (1926-1967) - Tenor and soprano saxophonist, bandleader, and composer; Born in Hamlet.

Elizabeth Hanford Dole (1936 - ) Secretary of Transportation (1983 - 87) and Labor (1989 - 90) and president of the American Red Cross (1990 - ); born in Salisbury.

Ava Gardner (1922 - 1990) Became a Hollywood star and acted in more than 20 films by the age of 28; born in Smithfield.

Andy Griffith (1926 - ) Actor made famous in television shows such as The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock; born in Mt. Airy.

Pleasant Hanes (1845-1925) Founder of the Hanes Corporation; born in Winston-Salem.

Andrew Jackson (1767 - 1845) Seventh President of the United States, was born in the Waxsaws area on the border of North and South Carolina.

Andrew Johnson (1808 - 1875) Started his career as a tailor's apprentice in Raleigh, North Carolina and rose to lead in the reuniting of the nation as the seventeenth President of the United States.

Michael Jordan (1963 - ) Basketball superstar who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles; grew up in Wilmington.

Herman Lay (1909 - 1982) Owner of the company Frito-Lay, Inc.; born in Charlotte.

Sugar Ray Leonard (1956 - ) Olympic boxing champion; born in Wilmington.

Arnold Palmer (1929 - ) Recognized as the player whose aggressive play and winning personality raised golf to national attention, honed his skills on the championship golf team of Wake Forest University.

James K. Polk (1795 - 1849) Eleventh President of the United States; born in Mecklenburg County.

William Sydney Porter (1862 - 1910) Writer who used the pen name O. Henry; raised in Greensboro.

Hiram Rhoades Revels (1822 - 1901) First African-American member of the United States Congress; born in Fayetteville.

More Famous People of North Carolina

Braxton Bragg soldier, Warrenton

Robert C. Byrd, politicianNorth Wilkesboro

David Brinkley TV newscaster, Wilmington

Howard Cosell sportscaster, Winston-Salem

James B. Duke industrialist, Durham

Donna Fargo country music, Mount Airy

Roberta Flack singer, Black Mountain

Richard Gatling inventor, Hertford County

Billy Graham evangelist, Charlotte

Kathryn Grayson singer, actress, Winston-Salem

Jesse Helms politician, Monroe

O. Henry writer, Greensboro

Charles Kuralt TV journalist, Wilmington

Dolley Payne Madison first lady, Guliford County

Ronni Milsap country music singer, Robinsville

Thelonious Monk pianist, Rocky Mount

Edward R. Murrow commentator, Greensboro

Floyd Patterson boxer, Waco

Richard Petty auto racer, Level Cross

Soupy Sales comedian, Wake Forest

Earl Scruggs bluegrass musician, Flint Hill

Randy Travis musician, Charlotte

John Scott Trotter orchestra leader, Charlotte

Thomas Clayton Wolfe author, Asheville

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