Virginia

Athlete

Aaron Brooks, a longtime NFL quarterback, was born in Newport News, Virginia.

Athlete

Allen Iverson, a Hall of Fame NBA guard and cultural icon, was born in Hampton, Virginia.

Athlete

Alonzo Mourning, a Hall of Fame NBA center, was born in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Athlete · Activist

Arthur Ashe, the only Black man to win Wimbledon and the U.S. and Australian Opens, was born in Richmond, Virginia.

Athlete

B.J. Upton, a speedy MLB center fielder, was born in Norfolk, Virginia.

Producer · Songwriter

Beat Billionaire is an American record producer from Richmond, Virginia, known for his work with Grand Hustle, Maybach Music Group, and Roc Nation.

Athlete

Billy Wagner, a Hall of Fame relief pitcher, was born in Marion, Virginia.

Educator · Author

Booker T. Washington, founder of the Tuskegee Institute and a leading educator, was born into slavery in Franklin County, Virginia.

Athlete

Bruce Smith, the NFL's all-time sack leader, was born in Norfolk, Virginia.

Educator · Author

Carter G. Woodson, the "Father of Black History," was born in Buckingham County, Virginia.

Politician

Carter Glass, a U.S. senator and architect of the Federal Reserve, was born in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Producer · Songwriter

Chad Hugo is an American producer from Portsmouth, Virginia active since 1992.

Military

Lieutenant General "Chesty" Puller, the most decorated Marine in U.S. history, was born in West Point, Virginia.

Singer · Songwriter

Chris Brown is an American singer from Tappahannock, Virginia active since 2004.

Rapper · Songwriter

Clipse is an American rapper from Virginia Beach, Virginia active since 1992.

Athlete

Curtis Strange, a back-to-back U.S. Open champion, was born in Norfolk, Virginia.

Inventor · Business Leader

Cyrus McCormick, inventor of the mechanical reaper, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia.

Singer · Songwriter

D'Angelo is an American singer from Richmond, Virginia active since 1991.

Author

David Baldacci, a best-selling author of legal and political thrillers, was born in Richmond, Virginia.

Astronaut

David M. Brown, a NASA astronaut who died aboard Space Shuttle Columbia, was born in Arlington, Virginia.

Athlete

David Wright, the longtime captain of the New York Mets, was born in Norfolk, Virginia.

Athlete

DeAngelo Hall, a three-time Pro Bowl NFL cornerback, was born in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Athlete

Dell Curry, a sharpshooting NBA guard and father of Stephen Curry, was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Author

Ellen Glasgow, a Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist of the American South, was born in Richmond, Virginia.

Athlete

Eppa Rixey, a Hall of Fame pitcher, was born in Culpeper, Virginia.

Politician

Eric Cantor of Richmond served as U.S. House Majority Leader, the highest congressional post held by a Jewish American.

Business Leader

Frank Batten, the media executive who founded The Weather Channel, was born in Norfolk, Virginia.

Athlete

Gabby Douglas, the first Black gymnast to win the Olympic all-around title, was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Politician

George Mason, author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, was a Founding Father born in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Politician · Military

George Washington was the first President of the United States and commander of the Continental Army, born in Westmoreland County, Virginia.

Politician

Henry Clay, the "Great Compromiser" and architect of the American System, was born in Hanover County, Virginia.

Athlete

Herman Moore, a record-setting NFL wide receiver, was born in Danville, Virginia.

Athlete

J.R. Reid, an NBA forward and North Carolina star, was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Politician

James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution" and fourth U.S. president, was born in Port Conway, Virginia.

Politician

James Monroe, the fifth U.S. president and author of the Monroe Doctrine, was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia.

Athlete

Jeff Burton, a 21-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner, was born in South Boston, Virginia.

Religious Leader · Educator

Jerry Falwell, founder of Liberty University and the Moral Majority, was born in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Athlete

Joe Smith, the No. 1 overall pick of the 1995 NBA Draft, was born in Norfolk, Virginia.

Jurist · Politician

John Marshall, the longest-serving Chief Justice of the United States, was born in Fauquier County, Virginia.

Politician · Activist

John Mercer Langston, Virginia's first Black congressman, was born in Louisa County, Virginia.

Politician

John Randolph of Roanoke, a fiery congressman and defender of states' rights, was born in Prince George County, Virginia.

Politician

John Tyler, the tenth U.S. president and first to ascend to the office on a president's death, was born in Charles City County, Virginia.

Athlete

Justin Upton, a four-time MLB All-Star outfielder, was born in Norfolk, Virginia.

Athlete

Justin Verlander, a three-time Cy Young Award–winning pitcher, was born in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia.

Singer · Songwriter

Kali Uchis is an American singer from Alexandria, Virginia active since 2012.

Journalist

Katie Couric, a pioneering television news anchor, was born in Arlington, Virginia.

Politician

L. Douglas Wilder of Richmond became the first African American elected governor of a U.S. state.

Athlete

Lanny Wadkins, a major champion and Ryder Cup stalwart, was born in Richmond, Virginia.

Athlete

Lawrence Taylor, widely called the greatest defensive player in NFL history, was born in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Astronaut

Leland Melvin, a NASA astronaut and former NFL player, was born in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Jurist

Lewis F. Powell Jr., a centrist Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, was born in Suffolk, Virginia.

Producer · Songwriter

Lex Luger is an American producer from Suffolk, Virginia active since 2009.

Business Leader · Activist

Maggie L. Walker, the first Black woman to charter a bank in the United States, was born in Richmond, Virginia.

Scientist

Mary Jackson, NASA's first Black female engineer and a subject of "Hidden Figures," was born in Hampton, Virginia.

Scientist · Military

Matthew Fontaine Maury, the "Pathfinder of the Seas" and a founder of oceanography, was born in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

Explorer

Meriwether Lewis, co-leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, was born in Albemarle County, Virginia.

Athlete

Michael Cuddyer, a two-time MLB All-Star and batting champion, was born in Norfolk, Virginia.

Athlete

Michael Vick, one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in NFL history, was born in Newport News, Virginia.

Rapper · Singer

Missy Elliott is an American rapper from Portsmouth, Virginia active since 1991.

Athlete

Moses Malone, a Hall of Fame center and three-time NBA MVP, was born in Petersburg, Virginia.

Politician

Nancy Astor, the first woman to sit as a member of the British House of Commons, was born in Danville, Virginia.

Historical Figure · Activist

Nat Turner, who led the most consequential slave rebellion in U.S. history, was born enslaved in Southampton County, Virginia.

Activist · Jurist

Oliver Hill, a civil-rights lawyer whose work fed into Brown v. Board of Education, was born in Richmond, Virginia.

Religious Leader · Business Leader

Pat Robertson, televangelist and founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, was born in Lexington, Virginia.

Politician

Patrick Henry, the Revolutionary orator who declared "Give me liberty, or give me death!", was born in Hanover County, Virginia.

Athlete

Percy Harvin, an explosive NFL playmaker and Super Bowl champion, was born in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Athlete

Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker, an Olympic gold medalist and four-division world champion, was born in Norfolk, Virginia.

Producer · Singer

Pharrell Williams is an American producer from Virginia Beach, Virginia active since 1992.

Historical Figure

Pocahontas, a Powhatan woman central to early colonial Virginia history, was born in what is now Virginia around 1596.

Athlete

Ralph Sampson, a Hall of Fame center and college legend, was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Actor · Songwriter

Raysean Edwards is an American actor, songwriter, and entertainment manager from Richmond, Virginia, signed with Roc Nation.

Explorer · Military

Admiral Richard E. Byrd, the pioneering polar aviator and explorer, was born in Winchester, Virginia.

Politician

Richard Henry Lee, who moved the resolution for American independence in 1776, was born at Stratford Hall in Westmoreland County, Virginia.

Athlete

Ricky Rudd, one of NASCAR's most durable "Iron Man" drivers, was born in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Military · Historical Figure

Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, was born at Stratford Hall in Westmoreland County, Virginia.

Educator

Robert Russa Moton, who succeeded Booker T. Washington as head of Tuskegee, was born in Amelia County, Virginia.

Athlete

Ronald Curry, a celebrated dual-sport athlete and NFL player, was born in Hampton, Virginia.

Athlete

Ronde Barber, a Hall of Fame cornerback and Super Bowl champion, was born in Roanoke, Virginia.

Politician · Military

Sam Houston, the general who won Texas independence and became its first elected president, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia.

Athlete

Sam Snead, one of golf's all-time greats with a record 82 PGA Tour wins, was born near Hot Springs, Virginia.

Jurist · Activist

Spottswood Robinson III, a civil-rights lawyer and federal judge, was born in Richmond, Virginia.

Politician · Author

Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States, born in Albemarle County, Virginia.

Athlete

Tiki Barber, the New York Giants' all-time leading rusher, was born in Roanoke, Virginia.

Producer · Songwriter

Timbaland is an American producer from Norfolk, Virginia active since 1989.

Author · Journalist

Tom Wolfe, a pioneer of New Journalism and best-selling novelist, was born in Richmond, Virginia.

Singer · Songwriter

Trey Songz is an American singer from Petersburg, Virginia active since 2004.

Athlete

Tyrod Taylor, a Pro Bowl NFL quarterback, was born in Hampton, Virginia.

Scientist

Major Walter Reed, the Army physician who confirmed that mosquitoes transmit yellow fever, was born in Gloucester County, Virginia.

Entertainer · Actor

Wanda Sykes is an American entertainer from Portsmouth, Virginia active since 1987.

Athlete

Ward Burton, the 2002 Daytona 500 champion, was born in Danville, Virginia.

Athlete

Wendell Scott, the first Black driver to win a NASCAR premier-series race, was born in Danville, Virginia.

Author

Willa Cather, the Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist of the American frontier, was born near Winchester in Frederick County, Virginia.

Explorer

William Clark, co-leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, was born in Caroline County, Virginia.

Politician · Military

William Henry Harrison, ninth U.S. president and hero of Tippecanoe, was born at Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County, Virginia.

Author

William Styron, the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of "Sophie's Choice," was born in Newport News, Virginia.

Military

Winfield Scott, the longest-serving general in U.S. Army history, was born in Dinwiddie County, Virginia.

Politician · Educator

Woodrow Wilson, the twenty-eighth U.S. president who led the nation through World War I, was born in Staunton, Virginia.

Politician · Military

Zachary Taylor, the twelfth U.S. president and a career soldier known as "Old Rough and Ready," was born in Orange County, Virginia.