20 key people in West Virginia history:

  

20 key people in West Virginia history:

• John Brown (1800-1859): Abolitionist who led a raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia) in 1859, sparking the American Civil War.
• Stonewall Jackson (1824-1863): Confederate general who was born in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia).
• Robert Byrd (1917-2010): Senator from West Virginia who served for over 50 years. Byrd was the longest-serving Senator in American history.
• Arch Moore (1923-2013): Governor of West Virginia from 1969 to 1977 and 1985 to 1989. Moore was a controversial figure, but he is credited with bringing economic development to the state.
• Jay Rockefeller (born 1937): Governor of West Virginia from 1977 to 1985 and Senator from West Virginia from 1985 to 2015. Rockefeller is a member of the prominent Rockefeller family.
• Manchin III (born 1952): Senator from West Virginia since 2010. Manchin is a moderate Democrat who has often been at odds with his party's leadership.
• Pearl Buck (1892-1973): Author who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938. Buck was born in West Virginia and wrote extensively about life in the state.
• Jesse Stuart (1907-1984): Author who wrote about life in the Appalachian Mountains. Stuart was born in Kentucky, but he spent much of his life in West Virginia.
• Davis Grubb (1919-1980): Author who wrote the novel "The Night of the Hunter," which was adapted into a classic film. Grubb was born and raised in West Virginia.
• Audie Murphy (1925-1971): Actor and World War II hero. Murphy was the most decorated American soldier of the war. He was born and raised in Texas, but he moved to West Virginia after the war.
• Don Knotts (1921-2006): Actor who is best known for his roles in "The Andy Griffith Show" and "The Incredible Mr. Limpet." Knotts was born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia.
• Willard Scott (born 1926): Broadcast journalist who is best known for his work on "The Today Show." Scott was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia (now West Virginia).
• Jim Baker (born 1930): White House Chief of Staff under President Ronald Reagan and Secretary of State under President George H.W. Bush. Baker was born and raised in Humble, Texas (now West Virginia).
• Chris Cline (1953-2021): Businessman and philanthropist who was a major donor to the Republican Party. Cline was born and raised in Beckley, West Virginia.
• Joe Manchin (born 1947): Governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010 and Senator from West Virginia since 2010. Manchin is a moderate Democrat who has often been at odds with his party's leadership.
• Shelley Moore Capito (born 1953): Senator from West Virginia since 2015. Capito is a Republican.
• Jim Justice (born 1958): Governor of West Virginia since 2017. Justice is a Republican who was originally elected as a Democrat.
• Alan Mollohan (born 1943): U.S. Representative from West Virginia from 1983 to 2011. Mollohan is a Democrat.