They hailed from this commonwealth and they helped to change the world. Many towering figures have called this state home, but who are the greatest Virginians? The Library of Virginia and The Richmond Times-Dispatch decided to find out. In a survey, they asked historians and prominent citizens to make their suggestions. MORE INFORMATION • The Greatest Virginians: An introduction • Historians and citizens: The jury |
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TheGreatest Oliver White Hill Sr. 20TH CENTURY: FREEDOM'S BEACON Hill lived one-fourth of the entire English-language portion of Virginia's history, and for more than half of that time in the oppressive Jim Crow regime that denied the basic human rights of American citizenship to a huge portion of the South's citizens. John Marshall 19TH CENTURY: TITAN OF THE LAW John Marshall received more nominations in the survey than any other person for greatest or most influential 19th-century Virginian. He deserved the attention. George Washington 18TH CENTURY: LION OF MOUNT VERNON George Washington had little serious competition for greatest Virginian of the 18th century. John Smith and William Berkeley 17TH CENTURY: STABILIZING A NEW WORLD Our jury argued to a virtual tie when trying to identify the single greatest citizen of 17th-century Virginia. The two nominees most often identified as the greatest were Captain John Smith and Sir William Berkeley, a governor of the colony. MostInfluential Harry Flood Byrd Sr. 20TH CENTURY: ORGANIZER OF POLITICS Byrd served for 10 years in the Virginia Senate, for four years as governor, and for 32 years he represented the commonwealth in the U.S. Senate. Edgar Allan Poe 19TH CENTURY: LITERARY INNOVATOR "Edgar Allan Poe," began historian Kevin J. Hayes, without even pausing to admit that anybody else could be considered for the honor, "is the most influential Virginian of the 19th century." James Madison 18TH CENTURY: GOVERNMENT PLANNER Participants in the survey produced a virtual tie for most influential Virginian of the 18th century, nominating James Madison and Thomas Jefferson in the greatest or most influential categories in almost equal numbers. John Rolfe 17TH CENTURY: TOBACCO ROOTS THE COLONY John Rolfe topped the list of people whom participants identified as the most influential person in 17th century Virginia. NamestoRemember Virginians of Achievement Who Are Deserving of Recognition 20TH CENTURY Persons of achievement in 20th-century Virginia who were nominated in the greatest and most influential categories came from many walks of life. They Continued Virginia's Hefty Contribution to History 19TH CENTURY: NAMES TO REMEMBER Historian and editor Katharine Harbury wrote that "in spite of social limitations," some people were able to make positive differences in other people's lives during the 19th century. A Time That Left Many and Much to Consider 18TH CENTURY: NAMES TO REMEMBER The great leaders of the American Revolution dominated the consideration of great and influential Virginians of the 18th century. We Should Endeavor Not to Forget Some People 17TH CENTURY: NAMES TO REMEMBER People who participated in the survey also suggested other people whose names are not now as widely known as they possibly should be. |
PurchaseTheBook The Greatest Virginians series is available as a full-color booklet, only $5 per copy (plus sales tax). Stop by either Times-Dispatch location or call 804-649-6261. More information Who is on your list of
greatest Virginians? Why? What do you think of the results? Share your thoughts on the Greatest Virginians series and tell us who you think should be on, or off, the list.
Two important events took place during spring 2007: First, America observed the 400th anniversary of its founding at the Jamestown settlement in Tidewater Virginia. Around the same time civil-rights legend and noted Richmonder Oliver Hill celebrated his 100th birthday -- having lived through a full quarter of the history of this nation and of this commonwealth.
The convergence of these two happenings gave life to a series of commentary columns published by the Richmond Times-Dispatch in December 2007. In 1607, English settlers landed in the New World and began an experiment that we still call Virginia. And while place has been an important part of the story, it is the people who were born here, who lived here, or who shaped the commonwealth's development -- the Virginians -- who have helped to change the course of history.
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