Famous People

James Agee (1909 - 1955) Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, screenwriter, journalist, poet, and film critic; Known for his autobiographical novel A Death in the Family. Born in Knoxville, TN (539)

Walter Beech (1891 - 1950) Outstanding pioneer of aviation. Born in Pulaski, TN (196)

Hattie Caraway (1878 - 1950) The first woman elected to the United States Senate; lived in Jonesboro. Born in Bakerville, TN (30)

Davy Crockett (1786 - 1836) American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician; He served in the Texas Revolution and was killed at the Battle of the Alamo. Born in Limestone, TN (534)

Lester Flatt (1914 - 1979) Bluegrass musician who is considered one of the pioneers of bluegrass music; In the Country Music Hall of Fame and the International Bluegrass Hall of Honor. Born in Sparta, TN (543)

Aretha Franklin (1942 - ) Gospel singer known as the Queen of Soul; She is known for her hit single Respect. Born in Memphis, TN (535)

Morgan Freeman (1937 - ) Famous actor who has appeared in movies such as Driving Miss Daisy, Lean on Me Amistad and others. Born in Memphis, TN (537)

Benjamin L. Hooks (1925 - ) Executive director of the NAACP, attorney, and clergyman. Born in Memphis, TN (544)

Dolly Parton (1946 - ) Grammy award-winning country singer/songwriter and Academy Award-winning actress. Born in Sevierville, TN (536)

Cybill Shepherd (1950 - ) Actress made famous from television's Moonlighting and Cybill. Born in Memphis, TN (542)

Tina Turner (1939 - ) Singer. She won a Grammy award in 1972 and starred in the movie Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Born in Nutbush, TN (545)

Alvin York (1887 - 1964) World War I hero; Awarded the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine gun nest. Born in Pall Mall, TN (540)