Rhode Island Famous People

Famous Americans: History and Biographies

Links to histories and biographies of the famous people of Rhode Island. Many famous people of Rhode Island have made significant contributions to the history of our nation and the state of Rhode Island. These famous Americans, famous entertainers, famous players, famous scientist, famous singers, famous statesmen, famous women, heroes, great explorers, and others Rhode Island famous Americans have all made Rhode Island their home. This list includes Rhode Island historical figures, celebrities and those individuals of Rhode Island who have influenced the lives of others.

Famous People

• Harry Anderson (1951 - ) Actor and magician. He starred in the sit-com Night Court; born in Newport.
• Nicholas Brown (1729 - 1791) An instrumental figure in convincing leaders to ratify the US Constitution; Rhode Island College was renamed Brown University after him.
• George Michael Cohan (1878 - 1942) Composer and actor who is called the father of US musical comedy; born in Providence.
• Bobby (Robert Leo) Hackett (1915-1976) Jazz trumpeter; born and raised in Providence.
• Julia Ward Howe (1819 - 1910) Reformer, writer, and poet that wrote the words to "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"; lived in Portsmouth and Newport.
• Napoleon (Larry) Lajoie (1874 - 1959) Baseball player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937; born in Woonsocket.
• H.P. (Howard Phillips) Lovecraft (1890 - 1937) Author. He wrote the book Necronomicon and was interested in science fiction and supernatural stories; born in Providence
• Horace Mann (1796 - 1859) Known as the father of American public education and served as the first head of the Massachusetts state board of education; graduated from Brown University.
• Samuel Slater (1768 - 1835) English manufacturer who built the first water-powered textile mill in 1791 in Pawtucket; migrated to Rhode Island in 1780.
• Gilbert Stuart (1755 - 1828) Artist that painted the George Washington that appears on the dollar bill; born in Saunderstown.
• Roger Williams (1604 - 1683) He was a Puritan leader and the founder of Rhode Island.