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Famous people · Charleston

Most of the 19 famous people born in Charleston came into the world between 1920 and 1969

Articles in 33 languages make the American cinematographer Gregg Toland the best known. Close behind are Charles Clary and Charlotte Martin. Only 66 of the 759 towns in Illinois with anyone on record list more. More are athletes than anything else, 8 in all.

#1 best knownGregg TolandFilm, TV & Stage · 1904–1948
+15more
Born here
19
notable people
Best known
Gregg Toland
in 33 Wikipedia languages
First
1858
Isaac E. Smith
Youngest
2000
Dave Slifer
Most common field
Sports
8 people
Also called it home
2
notable residents
The best known

Born in Charleston

Gregg Toland, Charles Clary and Charlotte Martin are written about in 33, 19 and 12 languages.

Gregg Toland#1
Film, TV & Stage

Gregg Toland

1904–1948

American cinematographer

33 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
Charles Clary#2
Film, TV & Stage

Charles Clary

1873–1931

Actor

19 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
Charlotte Martin#3
Music

Charlotte Martin

born 1976

American musician

12 Wikipedia languagesRead more ↗
Through the years

When Charleston’s famous people were born

The 1940s alone account for 4 of the births charted here.

Mills & railroadsThe American centuryToday1850190019502000Charles ClaryCharlotte MartinGregg Toland
SportsFilm, TV & StageWriting & ArtsPolitics & LawMilitaryMusicScience & MedicineNotable

Each dot is a person, stacked by the decade they were born.

Known for

What Charleston is known for

Share of Charleston’s famous people in each field.

The usual town: the share across everyone born in the towns gathered so far. Tap a field to see its people.

Everyone

Everyone else born in Charleston

Another 16, the earliest born in 1858.

AB

Alice Baber

1928–1982

American painter and activist

Writing & ArtsWikipedia ↗
Ronald W. Davis

Ronald W. Davis

born 1941

American biochemist

Science & MedicineWikipedia ↗
CW

Charlie Whitehouse

1894–1960

American baseball player

Henrietta Bromwell

Henrietta Bromwell

1859–1946

Artist, patron, writer, and publisher

Writing & ArtsWikipedia ↗
Marty Pattin

Marty Pattin

1943–2018

American baseball player and coach

MP

Mike Phillips

born 1958

American politician

Politics & LawWikipedia ↗
RF

Ray Fisher

1934–2025

American football player

Eli Ethelbert Rosebraugh

Eli Ethelbert Rosebraugh

1875–1930

American baseball player

Carlos Talbott

Carlos Talbott

1920–2015

Recipient of the Purple Heart medal

DS

Dave Slifer

born 2000

American college basketball coach

EA

Earl William Anderson

1897–1965

American basketball player

IS

Isaac E. Smith

1858–1940

American boat builder

LS

Larry Stuffle

1949–2016

American politician and lobbyist

Politics & LawWikipedia ↗
RM

Robert Maloy

1924–1995

United States Air Force officer

A chosen home

Also called Charleston home

Notable people Wikidata lists as living in Charleston, though born elsewhere.

The town’s pick

Who’s the most famous person from Charleston?

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Next door

Famous people from the towns next door

The longest list nearby is Mattoon’s, with 23.

From Wikidata and Wikipedia: people whose birthplace is Charleston and whose English Wikipedia article agrees, ranked by how many Wikipedia languages cover each person. People known mainly for crimes, and adult performers, aren’t listed. “The usual town” = everyone born in the towns gathered so far.

Photo credits (10)