Notable People in Virginia History

Notable People Table of Contents Click on the topic to go directly to it Christopher Columbus Christopher Newport John Smith Chief Powhatan Pocahontas John Rolfe George Washington Thomas Jefferson James Lafayette Patrick Henry James Madison George Mason Nat Turner Harriet Tubman John Brown Abraham Lincoln Robert E. Lee “Stonewall” Jackson Ulysses S. Grant Maggie Walker Harry S. Byrd Arthur Ashe L. Douglas Wilder Assessment One Two Three Four Click on back arrow to return to this slide

Christopher Columbus He discovered the “New World.” He called the people he found in the lands he discovered “Indians” because he thought he was in the Indies (near China).

Christopher Newport Captain of the the ships which transported the first settlers to the Jamestown colony. He returned to the colony with additional colonists and supplies a year later.

Captain John Smith Leader of the Jamestown colony. He had one simple rule which helped restore order to the colony “He that will not work, will not eat.” He initiated trading relationships with the Powhatan Indians.

Chief Powhatan The leader of the Powhatan Confederacy, a group of 30 Algonquian Indian tribes. Powhatan was initially friendly to the English colonists. Mutual trade developed between the Powhatans and the colonists .

Pocahontas Pocahontas was the daughter of Chief Powhatan. As a child she often visited the Jamestown Colony. She persuaded Chief Powhatan to provide food to the starving colonists.

John Rolfe A tobacco farmer Married Pocahontas and together they had one son, Thomas.

George Washington Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. First President of the United States of America . Often called the “Father of Our Country.”

Thomas Jefferson He wrote the Declaration of Independence. He wrote the Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom, which served as the basis for the First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution

James Armistead Lafayette Slave from Virginia who served in the Continental Army. Given his freedom after the war.

Patrick Henry He spoke out against taxation without representation by saying, “…give me liberty or give me death.”

George Mason He wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which became the basis for the Bill of Rights of the U. S. Constitution.

James Madison He kept detailed notes during the Constitutional Convention. Often called the “Father of the Constitution.”

Nat Turner He led a revolt against plantation owners in Virginia.

Harriet Tubman She established a secret route that escaped slaves took, which became known as the “Underground Railroad.”

John Brown He led a raid on the United States Armory (Arsenal) at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. He was trying to start a slave rebellion. He was captured and hanged.

Abraham Lincoln President of the United States during the Civil War. After becoming President some southern states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America.

Robert E. Lee Confederate General. Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. Surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox Court House and ended the Civil War.

Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson Confederate general. Played a major role in the First Battle of Bull Run (or Manassas).

Ulysses S. Grant Union General He lead the Union army that captured and burned Richmond.

Maggie Walker First African American woman to become a bank president in the United States.

Harry S. Byrd Former governor of Virginia. Known for a “Pay As You Go” policy for road improvements. He modernized Virginia state government.

Arthur Ashe First African American winner of a major men’s tennis singles championship. Author and eloquent spokesperson for social change.

L. Douglas Wilder Former Governor of Virginia. First African American to be elected a state governor in the United States.

Assessment – 1 of 4 Who was the Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution? Answer Who was the first African American woman to become President of a bank president in the United States? Answer Who from the Jamestown Colony initiated trading relationships with the Powhatan Indians? Answer

Assessment – 2 of 4 What document, written by George Mason became the basis for the Bill of Rights of the U. S. Constitution? Answer Who was the first African American winner of a men’s tennis singles championship, a author and a eloquent spokesperson for Social Change? Answer Who was commander of the Army of Northern Virginia during the Civil War? Answer

Assessment – 3 of 4 Who is referred to as the “Father of Our Nation?” Answer Why did Christopher Columbus call the natives living in the lands he discovered Indians? Answer What document written by Thomas Jefferson became the basis for the first Amendment of the U. S. Constitution? Answer

Assessment – 4 of 4 Harry Byrd was known for what type of policy for road improvements? Answer Who persuaded Chief Powhatan to provide food to the starving Jamestown colonists? Answer What did some southern states do after Abraham Lincoln become President of the United States ? Answer

Continental Army George Washington was the commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Bank President Maggie Walker was the first African American woman to become a bank president in the United States.

Trade With Powhatan Indians Captain John Smith initiated trading relationships with the Powhatan Indians.

Basis For The Bill of Rights The Virginia Declaration of Rights,written by George Mason, became the basis for the Bill of Rights of the U. S. Constitution.

Champion, Author & Spokesperson Arthur Ashe was the first African American winner of a major men’s tennis singles championship. He was also an author and eloquent spokesperson for social change.

Army of Northern Virginia Robert E. Lee was the commander of the Army of Northern Virginia during the Civil War.

“Father Of Our Nation” George Washington is known as the “Father Of Our Nation”

Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus called the people he found in the lands he discovered “Indians” because he thought he was in the Indies (near China).

Basis – First Amendment The Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom, written by Thomas Jefferson, served as the basis for the First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution

Road Improvements Harry S. Byrd was known for a “Pay As You Go” policy for road improvements.

Food for Colonists Pocahontas persuaded Chief Powhatan to provide food to the starving Jamestown colonists.

Southern States After Abraham Lincoln became President some southern states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America.

Credits Virginia Studies Curriculum Framework, Commonwealth of Virginia, Board of Education, 2001 Virginia Studies Posters (http://chumby.dlib.vt.edu/melissa/posters/vastudiesposter.html) Google Image Search (www.google.com/images)