Famous People from South Carolina

James Brown (1933 - 2006) Singer, often called "the Godfather of Soul;" raised in Augusta. Born in Barnwell, SC (113)

James F. Byrnes (1879 - 1972) Senator, Secretary of State, Governor, and Justice of the Supreme Court; Became one of very few politicians to be active in all 3 branches of government while also being active in state government. Born in Charleston, SC (520)

Chubby Checker (1941 - ) An American singer who is best known for his song "The Twist". Born in Spring Gulley, SC (517)

Alex English (1954 - ) The NBA's most prolific scorer during the 1980's; Played for the Milwaukee Bucks. Born in Columbia, SC (523)

John Salmon Ford (1815 - 1897) Better known as "Rip" Ford, was a member of the Republic of Texas Congress and later of the State Senate, and mayor of Brownsville, Texas. He was also a Texas Ranger, a Confederate colonel, and a journalist. Born in Greenville, SC (1208)

Joe Frazier (1944 - ) 1964 Olympic heavyweight champion. He was heavyweight champion from 1970-1973. Born in Beaufort, SC (514)

Althea Gibson (1927 - 2003) First African American woman to win Wimbledon and U.S. National tennis championships. Born in Silver, SC (522)

Dizzy Gillespie (1917 - 1993) Trumpet player who developed the bebop jazz style during the 1940s. Born in Cheraw, SC (512)

Jesse Jackson (1941 - ) Civil rights leader, black politician, and Baptist minister; He was the presidential candidate for the Democratic party in 1984 and 1988. Born in Greenville, SC (513)

Andrew Jackson (1767 - 1845) The 7th U.S. president. He was also the military governor of Florida, commander of the American forces at the Battle of New Orleans, a founder of the modern Democratic party, and dominated American politics. Born in Waxhaw, SC (515)

Francis Marion (1732 - 1795) Known as the "Swamp Fox" for his strategy of fighting the British during the Revolutionary War. Born in Georgetown, SC (521)

Robert Mills (1781 - 1855) Designer of the Washington Monument in Washington D.C.. Born in Charleston, SC (518)

Julia Peterkin (1880 - 1961) Novelist who was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Scarlet Sister Mary in 1929. Born in Laurens County, SC (519)

John Edmund Andrew Phillips (1935 - 2001) Also known as Papa John was an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Known as Papa John, Phillips was a member and leader of the singing group The Mamas & the Papas. Born in Parris Island, SC (876)

Charles W, Swan (1942 - ) Noted actor, director, and medical doctor. Born in Hartsville, SC (1416)

William Barret Travis (1809 - 1836) Was a 19th century American lawyer and soldier. At the age of 26, he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Texan Army, and commanded the Republic of Texas forces. He died at the Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution from the Republic of Mexico. Born in Saluda County, SC (1205)

Vanna White (1957 - ) Famous for turning letters on television's Wheel of Fortune. Born in North Myrtle Beach, SC (516)

Louis Trezevant Wigfall (1816 - 1874) Was an American politician from Texas who served as a member of the Texas Legislature, United States Senate, and Confederate Senate. Wigfall was among a group of leading secessionists known as Fire-Eaters, advocating the preservation and expansion of an aristocratic agricultural society based on slave labor. Born in Edgefield, SC (1213)