The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has been the home of many remarkable people. A diverse group of leaders, heroes, artists, scientists and innovators have contributed to Pennsylvania and to the world. This list includes those born in Pennsylvania, as well as, those who made a noteworthy contribution to society while living in Pennsylvania. The list numbers over 800 Pennsylvanians. The links are to other web sites where you can learn something about each individual.

It honors the courageous sacrifices of over 290 brave Pennsylvanians in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Many Pennsylvania public school students research famous Pennsylvanians. I challenge them to research someone who contributed to their locality or lived in their county. Publish the information in a class website to help others learn more about that special person from your local area. Local and county historical societies can be very helpful in locating facts, figures and even photos.

Helpful hint.
Use the browser Find command to scan the text for a person or town, rather than read the whole page.

To do this:
Go Edit ... Find. Enter a name or county - click Find.The first occurrence of the text will be highlighted.

Edit ... Find again will take you to the next occurrence of the word.

G

Albert Gallatin land speculator

Daniel Garber artist site 1

Melanie Gardner reporter

USMC SGT Joseph M. Garrison KIA Afghanistan site 1

Robert Garland dancer/choreographer

Erroll Garner musician jazz composer pianist

Dr. Zane Gates, Health Hero 2009

Arrah Lee Gaul site 1 artist

Sgt. Christopher P. Geiger died Afghanistan

Pfc. Aaron Genevie KIA Iraq

Henry George orator/social activist site 1

Lindsay Barrett George author/illustrator site 1

Jean Craighead George author site 1

Richard Gere actor/musician

SSgt John Gary Gertsch soldier Medal of Honor

USMC CPL Albert Gettings KIA Iraq site 1

Stan Getz musician

Paola Giangiacomo broadcaster

Joanne Pasquale Giannini gymnastic coach volunteer

Henry Gibson (Bateman) comedian/actor

John Bannister Gibson judge

Madaline Gilbert heroine Civil War

Pvt Landon S Giles KIA Iraq site 1 site 2

Dizzy Gillespie musician

Stephen Girard Banker, Philanthropist, Patriot

Sec. Lt. Michael Girdano, KIA Afghanistan

Simon Girty traitor site 1 site 2, site 3

Spc Michael T Gleason KIA Iraq site 1

Stephen Gloucester minister/abolitionist

Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Allen Gloyer, KIA Afghanistan 2016

Maurice Goddard, State Park activist, Conservationist site 1

Spc Christopher A. Golby KIA Iraq site 1

Jeff Lynn Goldblum actor

Pfc. Orlando E. Gonzalez KIA Iraq

Sgt. 1st Class B. Charles Good Hero Iraq War

Charles Goodyear, inventor

Sgt. Joseph P. Goodrich KIA Iraq site 1

John R. Gordner politician PA Senate site 1

Jim Gosling Co-Creator of Java Programming Language site 1

Governors of PA

Lonnie Graham photographer, artist, teacher site 1

Martha Graham dancer/choreographer

Martin L. Grass corporate criminal

Harold "Red" Grange athlete site 1

Elisa Graybill gold medal cosmetology SkillsUSA Championships

Rosemarie B. Greco, Director Health Care Reform

Leonard A. Green environmentalist site 1

Maureen E. Lally-Green PA Justice

Stewart J. Greenleaf politician

Eric Gregg baseball Umpire site 1

Cpl. Kyle Jason Grimes KIA Iraq site 1

Jonathan Groff actor

Grove Brothers - Michael & John furnacemen

Justin Guarini entertainer

Amy Gutmann, author, administrator

Top of page

County

Fayette

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Bedford, Bedford

New Bethlehem, Clarion

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Altoona, Blair

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Allentown, Lehigh

Chambersburg, Franklin

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

White Mills

State College, Centre (PSU Grad)

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Sheffield, Russell, Warren

New Castle, Lawrence

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Philadelphia and Luzerne

Monessen, Westmoreland

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Gibson’s Mill, Perry

Mercer

Indiana, Indiana

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Kiski Township, Armstrong

Dauphin

Warren, Warren

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Zelienople, Butler County

State College, Camp Hill

Johnstown, Cambria

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

New Freedom, York

Altoona, Blair

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Allegheny

27th District Snyder, Montour, Northumberland, Columbia

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

n/a

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Camp Hill, Cumberland

Forksville, Sullivan

Selinsgrove, Snyder

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Butler, Butler

Sharpsville, Mercer

Montgomery & Bucks

Philadelphia

Bethlehem

Lancaster

Danville, Montour

Doylestown, Bucks

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

H

Lloyd R Hackenberg, WWII hero - Merrill's Marauders

Alexander Haig soldier/politician site 1

Mahlon N. Haines shoe entrepreneur|philanthropist site 1

Sarah Josepha Buell Hale author/editor/activist site 1 site 2

Spc. Robert E. Hall Jr. KIA Iraq

Edward T. Hammer, railroad worker, Carnegie Hero

Oscar Hammerstein II lyricist/producer site 1

Marvin Hamlisch, Composer & Conductor site 1

William Hammond baker

Winfield Scott Hancock, Civil War general site 1

William Edward Hanford scientist

Sgt. Dale Martin Hardiman soldier/good samaritan site 1

Clyde Hare photographer

Cpl. Brandon M. Hardy KIA Iraq site 1

Joseph Hardy, Sr. entrepreneur

Kevin Hart, actor, comedian

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper poet activitst

Franco Harris athlete

Kevin Hart, comedian

Melissa Hart politician

Thomas Hartley Revolutionary War soldier/politician site 1

Sgt Jennifer Hartman killed Iraq site 1

John F. Hartranft Civil War soldier, civil engineer, a lawyer, Governor

Francis J. Harvey Sec of the Army site 1

James G Harvey businessman/mayor of Hazleton 4 terms

SSGT. Brian P. Hause died in Iraq site 1

John Haviland architect

Sgt. Patrick Hawkins, KIA Afghanistan

Spc. Erik Hayes KIA Iraq site 1

Mary Ludwig Hays "Molly Pitcher" site 1, site 2, site 3

Sgt Timothy L Hayslett KIA Iraq site 1, site 2

Carloyn Haywood author

Robert Hazard musician

Henry Hazlett economist/author

Martin Johnson Heade artist site 1

Jimmy Heath musician

Edward "Ned" Hector hero/wagoneer Revolutionary War site 1

Sgt. Michael W. Heede Jr. KIA Afghanistan

Henry John Heinz industrialist site 1

William Heiss - coachmaker

Kate Heffelfinger, suffragist held in “Night of Terror,” Nov. 15, 1917 LOC

Joseph Heller - author site 1
 
James Henry smith/environmentalist

Spc. Joshua J. Henry KIA Iraq site 1

Peter Herdic entrepreneur/philanthropist

Spc. Brent Michael Hershey KIA Afghanistan

Milton Snavely Hershey - site 1 industrialist

Tim Hewitt adventurer site 1 site 2

John Hewson patriot/fabric printer

Edward Hicks primitive artist Peaceable Kingdom

Special Agent Samuel Hicks Killed in the line of duty

First Lt. Daren Hidalgo, KIA Afghanistan

SGT Benjamin S. Hines, KIA Afghanistan

Joseph Hoeffel politician

Bob Hoffman hero/businessman site 1

Spc. Derek Holland KIA Afghanistan

SSgt. Eric Holman, KIA Afghanistan

Larry Holmes champion boxer

Amanda Holt, artist and Citizen Activist redistricting site 2

Harold A. Honickman businessman / philathropist

Lynne Korman Honickman activist

Spc. Michael A. Hook KIA Iraq site 1|

Staff Sgt. Bryan Hoover, KIA Afghanistan

Francis Hopkinson lawyer/signed DOI

Marilyn Horne - opera singer site 1, site 2, site 3

SSgt. Jeremy R. Horton KIA Iraq site 1

Colonel George Howard musician band leader

Liliane Stevens Howard suffragette site 1

Mary K. Howett, Ph.D. virologist discovery of a method for propagating human papilloma viruses

SSgt. Sean P. Huey, KIA Iraq site 1

Daniel Hughes underground railroad raftsman

Robert Hughes activist

Spc Eric R Hull KIA Iraq site 1

Cpl. Barton R. Humlhanz KIA Iraq site 1, site 2

Edwin M. Hummel politician

Cy Hungerford cartoonist

Mary Morris Husband Civil War nurse

Joseph M. Huston architect site 1

Thomas Hylton author

Top of page

County

Sunbury, Northumberland

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

York, York

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Sunbury, Northumberland

Doylestown, Bucks

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Lancaster, Lancaster

Montgomery Square, Montgomery

Bristol, Bucks

Somerset

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Cochranville, Chester

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Philadelphia

York and Philadelphia area.

Allegheny and Centre

Philadelphia

Allegheny

Reading & York

New Ringgold, Schuylkill

Montgomery

Latrobe, Westmoreland

Hazleton, Luzerne

Stoystown, Somerset County

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Carlisle, Cumberland County

Adams

Carlisle

Newville, Cumberland

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Lumberville, Bucks

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Norristown, Montgomery

Delta, York

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Miffinburg, Union

Shamokin, Northumberland

State College, Centre

Bushkill Township, Northampton

Avonmore, Armstrong

Williamsport, Lycoming

State College, Centre

Dauphin

Greensburg, Westmoreland

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Bucks

Pittsburgh, Allegheny County

York County

York County

Montgomery

Wilkinsburg, Allegheny

Wind Gap, Northampton

Evans City, Butler

Easton, Northampton

Allentown, Lehigh County

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Altoona, Blair

West Elizabeth in Allegheny County

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Bradford, Bradford

Erie, Erie

Reamstown, Lancaster

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Harrisburg, Dauphin

Fredericktown

Williamsport

Luzerne

Upper Middletown, Fayette

Hellertown, Northampton

Snyder

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Pottstown, Berks

I

Lido Anthony (Lee) Iacocca entrepenuer

Harold LeClair Ickes lawyer/activist

William Brantley Van Ingen muralist

Marine Staff Sgt. Matt Ingham, KIA Afghanistan

Sgt.Thor Harrison Ingraham KIA Iraq site 1 site 2

K. Leroy Irvis, speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives site 1

Spc Craig S. Ivory medic Iraq

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County

Allentown, Lehigh

Altoona, Blair

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Altoona, Blair

Murrysville

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Port Matilda, Centre

J

Reggie Jackson athlete

Frederica A. Massiah-Jackson judge

Robert H. Jackson Justice US Supreme Court

Ahmad Jamal jazz pianist

Byron Janis pianist

Robert Janosov historian/educator site 1

Betty James Entrepreneur/businesswoman

Richard James inventor site 1

Anna Jarvis, Founder of Mothers Day

Sgt. Brahim Jeffcoat KIA Iraq site 1 site 2

Robinson Jeffers poet

Mary Jemison captive

Loretta Sweet Jemmott nurse, health activist regarding AIDS

Patricia H. Jenkins judge

Robert Boyd Jenkins KIA Iraq site 1

Otto Emery Jennings, biologist naturalist

Sgt. Andrew Jodon KIA Iraq site 1

Cpl Carl W. Johnson KIA Iraq

Harry D. Johnston coach

LCpl Larry Johnson KIA Afghanistan War

Spc Maurice J. Johnson KIA Iraq site 1

Rowland, Israel, Ellwood, Sarah, Elizabeth Johnson abolitionists

Davy Jones artist/horseman (lives in PA now)

Spc. Rodney A. Jones KIA Iraq War site 1

Absalom Jones religious leader site 1

Shirley Jones singer/actress

Captain Jason Jones, KIA Afghanistan War

David Joyner site 1 physician/athlete

Oney Judge, slave who escaped the Washingtons

Edward Zone Carroll Judson - "Ned Buntline" novelist/inventor

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County

Wyncote, Montgomery

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Spring Creek, Warren

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

McKeesport, Allegheny

Northeast Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Chambersburg, Franklin

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Delaware

Altoona, Blair

Western Pennsylvania

Burnside Twp., Centre

Philadelphia

Lewistown, Juniata

Scranton

Levittown, Bucks

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Beavertown, Snyder

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Charleroi, Washington

Orwigsburg, Schuylkill

Hershey, Dauphin

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Bethany, Wayne

K

Kate Kaman, sculptor

Kristen Kane author

SSgt Joseph M. Kane KIA Iraq site 1

Paul E. Kanjorski politician

John Kanzius invented process to "burn salt water"/treat cancer

Sgt. Paul Karpowich KIA Iraq site 1

Spc. Mark J. Kasecky soldier KIA Iraq site 1

Pfc. Douglas E. Kashmer Killed Iraq

Spc. Jason C. Kazarick Killed Iraq

Solomon John Keal musician/composer

Michael Keaton, actor

Sally Miller Keehn author site 1

Paul Keene artist site 1

Paul K Keene inventor/organic farmer

John J Kehoe coal miner | activist | wrongfully executed

Florence Kelley attorney social worker

Gene Kelly dancer/actor

Grace Kelly actress/princess

Walter Crawford Kelly cartoonist

LCpl. Patrick B. Kenny KIA Iraq

Arthur Atwater Kent, industiralist / philathropist

Spc. Jonathan Kephart KIA Iraq site 1

Teresa Heinz Kerry linguist/philanthropist

Kelly Kiely Journalist

Bonnie and Joe Kies conservationists

Pvt. First Class John Kihm, KIA Afghanistan,

Don Roy King, SNL director

Army Spc. Jarrid L. King, KIA Afghanistan,

Fred Morgan Kirby businessman

Gelsey Kirkland ballerina, site 1

Kishacoquillas leader

Shirley M. Kitchen politician

Karl K. Klees farmhand Carnegie Hero

Joshua Klinger KIA Iraq site 1

Henry I. Klopp doctor

Jack Klugman actor

SGT 1st Tony Knier KIA Iraq site 1

Paul Knight State Climatologist site 1

Catherine Baker Knoll politician/educator/Lt Governor

Spc Matthew A. Koch KIA Iraq site 1

Chief Petty Officer Michael Koch KIA Iraq

Sgt. Edward Koehler, KIA Afghanistan

John H. Kohl Carnegie Hero

Pfc. Martin W. Kondor KIA Iraq site 1 site 2

Dean Ray Koontz writer site 1

L. Cpl. Ryan J. Kovacicek KIA Iraq site 1 site 2

George Krause photographer site 1

Zell Kravinsky philanthropist site 1

Laura Krell Gold Medal Speaking, SkillsUSA Competition

Sebastian S. Kresge entrepreneur site 1

PVT Dale Kridlo, KIA Afghanistan,

PFC. Bradley G. Kritzer KIA Iraq site 1

PFC Serge Kropov died in Afghanistan

Spc. Kurt Krout, KIA Iraq site 1, site 2, site 3

Charles Krumreich invented phone jack

Alice Kulikowski activist

John Kulick KIA Iraq site 1 site 2

Sgt. Russell Kurtz KIA Iraq site 1

Stephanie Louise Kwolek scientist site 1

Top of page

County

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Farmington, Fayette

Darby, Delaware

Luzerne

Washington County

Freeland/Bridgeport

McKees Rocks, Allegheny

Sharon, Mercer

Oakmont, Allegheny

Bryn Athyn, Montgomery

Coraopolis, Allegheny

Lehigh

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Penns Creek, Union

Audenried, Carbon

Philadelphia

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Oil City, Venango

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Bucks

Philadelphia

Pitcarin, Allegheny County

Erie

Wilkes-Barre

Bethlehem, Northampton

Juniata

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Catawissa

Williams Township, Northampton

Allentown, Northampton

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Westfield, Tioga

State College, Centre

Allegheny

Allentown, Northampton

State College, Centre

Lebanon, Lebanon County

Northumberland

York, York

Everett, Bedford

Washington County

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Jenkintown, Montgomery

Mifflinburg, Union

Bald Mount, Lackawanna

Pittston, Luzerne County

Irvona, Clearfield

Hawley, Wayne

Spinnerstown, Bucks

State College, Centre

Allegheny

Montgomery

Bethel Park, Allegheny

New Kensington, Allegheny

L

Patti LaBelle (Patricia Louise Holt) singer

Harriet Lane First Lady

Sgt. Ryan Lane, KIA Afghanistan

Mario Lanza singer

Lappawinsoe site 1 site 2

Thomas D. Larson civil engineer, leader in transportation

Jacob Latch shoemaker, Rev War Soldier pdf pg 27

Benjamin H. Latrobe architect site 1, site 2

Spc. Timothy J Lauer KIA Iraq site 1

Susan Laughlin legislator

Helen Elizabeth Lawson artist

George M. Leader politician

Marie A. Lederer legislator

Joseph Leidy, scientist 19th-Century site 1

Kim Lemon broadcaster

F. Julius LeMoyne physician/abolitionist site 1

Lenape People site 1 site 2, site 3

David C. Leonard Carnegie Hero

Erman E. Lepley teacher, KIA WWI

David LeVan businessman site 1

Oscar Levant composer/pianist/actor site 1, site 2

William J. Levitt developer

Joan Levy volunteer

Beverly Marie Jones Lewis author

Charles F. Lewis journalist/environmentalist

SSgt. Daniel R. Lightner Jr. State Trooper/KIA Iraq

Marie Litzinger Mathematician

Sgt. Dale Thomas Lloyd KIA Iraq site 1 site 2

FC1 Robert B. Logue submariner KIA WWII site 1

Spc. Zachariah Long KIA Iraq site 1

Pfc. Christopher W. Lotter KIA Iraq

Lt Christopher E. Loudon KIA Iraq

Samuel Loyd inventor mathematician

Barbara Luderowski sculptor site 1

Johnny Lujack athlete

Rebecca Webb Lukens industrialist site 1, site 2

Spc. Jonathan L. Luscher, KIA Afghanistan

Patrick Lyon blacksmith victim of false imprisonment bank robbery

Top of page

County

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Franklin

Castle Shannon, Allegheny

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

n/a

State College, Centre

Lower Merion, Montgomery

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Saegertown, Crawford

Allegheny/Beaver

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

York

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Lancaster, Lancaster

Washington, Washington

Delaware, Philadelphia, Chester, Bucks

Sunbury, Northumberland

Spring Townhip, Snyder

Gettysburg, Adams

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Levittown, Bucks

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Lancaster, Lancaster

Westmoreland

Hollidaysburg, Blair

Bedford

Watsontown Northumberland

Central PA

Milton, Northumberland

Chester Heights, Delaware

Brockport, Elk

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Pittsburgh, Allegheny

Connellsville, Fayette

Chester

Scranton, Lackawanna

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

We Remember Them