Famous People

Edward Goodrich Acheson (1856 - 1931) Notable chemist and inventor who invented carborundum; He also received 70 patents during his lifetime.. Born in Washington, PA (494)

Louisa May Alcott (1832 - 1888) Author of the classic novel Little Women. Born in Germantown, PA (252)

Richard Allen (1760 - 1831) Founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Born in Germantown, PA (80)

Joseph "Joe" Biden (1942 - ) Joe Biden has served 6 terms in the Senate, the first of which he won in an upset by a mere 3,162 votes, after trailing by as much as 30% in polling during the summer. On December 18, 1972, a few weeks after the election, Biden's wife and one-year-old daughter were killed in an automobile accident while Christmas shopping in Hockessin, Delaware. Biden remarried in 1975. In 2008, Biden won the Vice-Presidency of the United States, after Barack Obama picked Biden as his Vice-President. Born in Scranton, PA (738)

James Buchanan (1791 - 1868) The 15th president of the U.S.; Was the only president from Pennsylvania and the only president to never marry. Born in Mercersburg, PA (501)

Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976) Famous sculptor who invented the mobile; He also created paintings, lithographs, tapestries, and designed carpets. Born in Lawnton, PA (495)

Rachel Carson (1907 - 1964) American Marine Biologist; She is also the author of the book Silent Spring which started the environmental movement. Born in Springdale, PA (496)

Martha Graham (1894 - 1991) Dancer and choreographer. She choreographed and danced in the ballet Appalachian Spring. Born in Allegheny, PA (493)

Orrin Hatch (1934 - ) U.S. Senator for Utah. He is also on the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on the Judiciary, and many others. Born in Pittsburgh, PA (569)

Robinson Jeffers (1887 - 1962) Poet who is known for his narrative, epic, and short verse types of poems; He is considered an icon in the environmental movement. Born in Pittsburgh, PA (499)

Tara Lipinski (1982 - ) Figure skater who won the 1998 women's figure skating gold medal at the Olympics in Nagano, becoming the youngest in history (15 yrs., 7 mos.). Born in Philadelphia, PA (500)

Arnold Palmer (1929 - ) Recognized as the player whose aggressive play and winning personality raised golf to national attention, honed his skills on the championship golf team of Wake Forest University. Born in Latrobe, PA (419)

Betsy Ross (1752 - 1836) She was reported to have made the first American Flag. Born in Philadelphia, PA (497)

Andrew Wyeth (1917 - ) Famous realist painter of the 20th century; His most well-known work is Christina's World which is on display in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Born in Chadds Ford, PA (502)