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Famous People from South Carolina


James Brown (1933 - 2006) An American singer and dancer. Often referred to as "The Godfather of Soul". His career spanned 6 decades and he influenced the development of several music genres during that time. 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)

John Caldwell Calhoun (1782 - 1850) The 7th Vice President of the United States serving from 1825-1832 under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. He also served in the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, as well as secretary of war and state. Born in Abbeville, SC (1727)

Chubby Checker (1941 - ) Born Ernest Evans. An American singer-songwriter who is best known for his song "The Twist". As of 2015, he was the only recording artist to have 5 albums in the Top 12 all at once. Born in Spring Gulley, SC (517)

Alex English (1954 - ) A retired American basketball player and the NBA's most prolific scorer during the 1980's. He was named to 8 NBA All-Star teams. 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 - 2011) Also known as Smokin' Joe. An American professional boxer, Olympic gold medalist (1964) and undisputed World Heavyweight Champion from 1970-1973. Born in Beaufort, SC (514)

Althea Gibson (1927 - 2003) An American tennis player and professional golfer. First African American woman to win a Grand Slam title. The following year she won both Wimbledon and U.S. National tennis championships. Born in Silver, SC (522)

Dizzy Gillespie (1917 - 1993) Born John Birks Gillespie. An American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Along with Charlie Parker, he developed the bebop jazz style during the 1940s. Born in Cheraw, SC (512)



Jesse Jackson (1941 - ) Born Jesse Louis Burns. 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 Phillips (1935 - 2001) Born John Edmund Andrew Phillips. Also known as Papa John. An American singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Phillips was a member and leader of the singing group The Mamas & the Papas. Born in Parris Island, SC (876)

William Barret Travis (1809 - 1836) A 19th century American lawyer and soldier. He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Texas Army. 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 - ) An American television personality and film actress. Best known as the hostess of the game show Wheel of Fortune. Born in North Myrtle Beach, SC (516)

Louis Trezevant Wigfall (1816 - 1874) An American politician from Texas who served as a member of the Texas Legislature, United States Senate, and Confederate Senate. Born in Edgefield, SC (1213)