Famous
Pennsylvanians and Prominent People of Pennsylvania
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. |
A
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| H | I | J | K
| L | M | N
| O | P | Q
| R | S | T
| U | V | W
| X | Y | Z Resources
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
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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
Gibsons 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
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of page
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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
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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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of page |
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 |
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PA
Projects / PA Map activity / Pennsylvania
Facts Puzzle / PA Prominent Person Award / PA Artists / Benjamin
Franklin Extraordinary
Pennsylvania
Academic Standard for History
Internet
Hunts / Nature /
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& Projects / Problem based Learning
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All trademarks, copyright and logos belong to their
respective owners.
This page is updated periodically 4/2019 by Pennsylvanian,
Cynthia J. O'Hora 12/24/04
All power is inherent in the people,
and all free governments are founded on their authority and
instituted
for their peace, safety and happiness.
For the advancement of these
ends they have at all times
an inalienable and indefeasible right to
alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may
think proper.
- Article I, Section 2, Pennsylvania Constitution,
Authored by Benjamin Franklin
|