21 Famous Ohioans That Made A Big Name In The World - Their Life And Career

The US state, Ohio has no shortage of celebrities or people from all backgrounds, who have made the state proud and gratified.

From astronauts and musicians to athletes and even presidents, you name it. Several acclaimed personalities have their roots back in Ohio and we are as thrilled as you to find out about them.

Ohio is the 34th largest state by area in the US and has gifted the world many talented people, among them are those who have also made history. Often called Buckeye state because of the buckeye trees around the state, the residents here are also collectively called 'Buckeyes'.

Out of all other US states who have a rectangular flag, Ohio is the only one that does not.

The state never ceases to stand out, does it?  The state’s name comes from the Ohio River, which is 981 mi (1,579 km) long. It was the 17th state to be a part of the United States, in 1803. The capital of Ohio is Columbus city.

Ohio has indeed, gifted some renowned people, let’s dig deeper and explore what people from Ohio have to offer.

History Of Ohio

Ohio was the 17th state to be a part of the United States, in 1803 and Thomas Jefferson approved its boundaries. But, the presidential approval to the state was signed only in 1953.

The state’s name comes from the Ohio River, which is 981 mi (1,579 km) long. The name Ohio originates from the Iroquois word, ohi-yo, meaning “great river”. To add to that, Ohio comprises 40,000 mi (64,000 km) of waterways.

The state’s constitution was adopted in 1851. Did you know, Ohio was discovered in 1669 by Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle, and became a property of the British in the aftermath of the French and Indian war. Furthermore, the state was claimed by the US after the Revolutionary war. Ohio’s foremost permanent settlement took palace at Marietta, 1788.

Famous Ohioans In Athletics

Here are some of the most famous Ohioans who have carved a distinct name in athletics: -

LeBron James- Born in Akron, Ohio, on December 30, 1984, the 36-year-old player is known to all of as one of the greatest basketball players to have ever played. He is the only player to have claimed his name in the three NBA Championships with three different franchises.

He has won a total of four NBA Championships, Four NBA MVPs, and Four in the NBA Finals as well. He is also a two-time Olympic old medalist.

James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens, born on September 12, 1913, Owens made the state proud with his spectacular performance in track and field. He broke three world records and tied one in a single day in 1935 during Big Ten Track Championships. Within a year of this achievement, he won four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics of 1936.

Paul Eugene Brown, born in Norwalk, Ohio on September 7, 1908, made history with his career as a football coach and was a great football player. Brown was the coach who took Ohio State to the nationals in 1942. He also coached the Cleaveland Browns when they won all four AAFC championships and also three NFL titles.

You must also note the name of another famous Ohioan, from Loudonville, Kenesaw Mountain Landis (first baseball commissioner).

Famous Ohioans Leaders

Some of the most well-known political leaders from Ohio are:

James Abram Garfield, born on November 19, 1831, Garfield was the 20th US president. His tenure lasted for only four months, upon which he was shot dead by an assassin. He changed the course of his family background by raising from poverty to becoming a president.

William Howard Taft, born on September 15, 1857, was the 27th president and also the tenth chief justice of the United States. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended the prestigious Yale University.

Ulysses S. Grant, Born on April 27, 1882, as the 18th president of the United States and a military officer, who served as a secretary of war.  He was the commanding general of the united states army who led the country to victory in the American civil war of 1865.

The list will be incomplete without mentioning, from Meigs County, Albert J. Beveridge (political leader), from Lorain, George W. Norris (US Senator); and from Cambridge, William Jennings Bryan (U.S. presidential candidate).

Famous Ohioans In Art & Literature

Here are some of the most famous Ohioans in the field of art and literature:

George Wesley Bellows, born in 1882 in Columbus, Ohio. He painted realistic pictures, mainly centered around the urban life inNew York City. His portrait painting of Waldo Peirce, dated back to 1920, is displayed at the de Young museum in San Francisco.

Chloe Anthony Wofford Morrison, born in Lorain, Ohio on February 18, 1931, Morrison, popularly known as Toni Morrison, was an acclaimed author. She won a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993 for her novel 'Beloved'(1987).

Robert Henri, born in Cincinnati, Ohio in June 1865, was a renowned painter. He was highly influential because of his role in Aschan School.

Some other prominent names include Columbus, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr (historian); from Niles Toni Morrison, (author); from Cleveland, Milton Caniff cartoonist; from Point Pleasant, Zane Grey (author); and from North Bend, Robert Henri (painter).

Famous Ohioans In Medicine

There have been some exceptional Ohioans who are renowned in the field of medicine. The list includes names like:

John Harris was a dentistry doctor in Bainbridge Ohio. he taught students dentistry and basic medicine in the 19th century. Further, he is regarded as the father of dental education in the US because at that time not much emphasis was given to dentistry education.

Halsey Taylor, strongly believed that contaminated water was the foremost reason for the spread of lethal diseases. He thus invented a water fountain, by 1912, that produced much cleaner and healthier water.

Famous Ohioans In Science

The list of most famous Ohioans in Science includes some prominent names like:

Willard Harrison Bennett, born in Findlay, Ohio on June 13, 1903, was an eminent scientist and ‘Bennett inventor’.  He researched several fields including, plasma physics. astrophysics, geophysics, surface physics, and physical chemistry.

Charles Franklin Kettering, born on August 29, 1876, was an inventor. He founded the Delco ignition system and cash register.

Thomas Edison, born in Milan, Ohio on February 11, 1847. He was a distinguished inventor, popular throughout the globe. His inventions include the phonograph, telephone speakers carbon-button transmitter and microphone, the incandescent lamp, the first commercial light, among others.

Neil Armstrong, born on August 5, 1930, was a world-renowned Astronaut who was the first one to have walked on the Moon.

The list also includes names like, from Columbus, Ernest H. Volwiler (inventor); from Columbus, Donalee L. Tabern inventor; and from Columbus, Willard H. Bennett (inventor), and from Martins Ferry, Charles F. Kettering (inventor).

Famous Ohioans In Entertainment

Here is a list of some of the most famous Ohioans in the entertainment industry:

Sarah Jessica Parker, born on March 25, 1965, is a great actress, producer, and fashion designer. She is a two times Emmy Awards winner.

Drew Carey, born on May 23, 1958, Carey is most popularly known as an actor, comedian and he also hosts a game show.

Steven Spielberg, born on December 18, 1946,  needs no introduction. He is an academy award-winning director and among the richest filmmakers in the world.

The list of Ohio famous people in entertainment also includes from Hillsboro, Nancy Cartwright (voice of Bart Simpson), and from Kingsman Ruby Dee (actress).