Famous People

Eubie Blake (1887 - 1983) Ragtime musician and composer who wrote "The Charleston Rag," in 1899. Born in Baltimore, MD (246)

John Wilkes Booth (1838 - 1865) An American actor who later shot and killed President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. on April 14, 1865. Born in Bel Air, MD (244)

Tom Clancy (1947 - ) Author of many best-selling books, including The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games. Born in Baltimore, MD (247)

Frederick Douglass (1818 - 1895) Abolitionist leader who was born a slave in Maryland.He was also an editor, orator, statesman, author, and reformer. Born in Talbot County, MD (238)

Matthew Henson (1866 - 1955) American explorer; first African American to reach the North Pole. Born in , MD (235)

Johns Hopkins (1795 - 1873) Merchant, banker, and philanthropist, who founded the hospital and university that bear his name. Born in Anne Arundel County, MD (237)

Francis Scott Key (1779 - 1843) He wrote the national anthem on September 14, 1814 while watching the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Born in Carroll County, MD (236)

Thurgood Marshall (1908 - 1993) Lawyer and jurist; Became the first African American to serve on the United States Supreme Court. Born in Baltimore, MD (243)

George Read (1733 - 1798) Jurist, signer of Declaration of Independence; lived in the county of New Castle. Born in Cecil County, MD (87)

Cal Ripken Jr. (1960 - ) One of the best shortstops in baseball history that holds the record for the most consecutive games played, at 2,632; born in Havre de Grace and a member of the Baltimore Orioles. Born in Havre de Grace, MD (240)

George Herman "Babe" Ruth (1895 - 1948) One of the greatest players in baseball history that held the record for the most home runs in a single season. Born in Baltimore, MD (241)

Upton Beall Sinclair (1878 - 1968) Writer, social critic, author of the novel The Jungle, whose revelations led to reforms in the meat-packing industry. Born in Baltimore, MD (245)

Harriet Tubman (1822 - 1913) A leading figure in the Underground Railroad, a nurse, spy, and scout for the Union army, and a woman's rights activist; born in Dorchester County. Born in Dorchester County, MD (242)