List of people from Charlottesville, Virginia

This is a List of people from Charlottesville, Virginia, or from areas nearby to Charlottesville, who were either born, lived or presently live in the city.

Since the city's early formation, it has been the home of numerous notable individuals from the historic figures of Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, to the renown literary giants of Edgar Allan Poe to William Faulkner. In the present day, Charlottesville has become or been the home of movie stars such as Sissy Spacek and Sam Shepherd, novelists like John Grisham and musicians like Dave Matthews.

Historic

* Thomas Jefferson - The third President of the United States (1801–1809), the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776), and one of the most influential Founding Fathers.
* James Madison - Fourth President of the United States.
* James Monroe - A Founding Father of the United States and Fifth President of the United States. Lived at Ash Lawn-Highland, adjacent to Jefferson's Monticello.
* Meriwether Lewis - American explorer, soldier, and public administrator, best known for his role as the leader of the Corps of Discovery, whose mission was to explore the territory of the Louisiana Purchase.
* Alexander Vandergrift - the victor of Guadalcanal & Commandant of the USMC, was born in Charlottesville & attended the University of Virginia.
* S. S. Van Dine - A U.S. art critic and author.
* Nicholas Philip Trist - Author of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican War.
* John Mosby - Also known as the "Gray Ghost," a Confederate partisan Ranger in the American Civil War.
* Anna Anderson - A woman claiming to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia, lived out her final years in Charlottesville.
* Kathleen Clifford - Silent film, vaudeville and Broadway stage actress was born in Charlottesville.

Authors and Academics

* Edgar Allan Poe - Lived in the city while attending the University of Virginia.
* William Faulkner - Writer in residence at the University, to which he bequeathed all of his original manuscripts.
* William McGuffey - Lived in Charlottesville while serving as a professor at the University and was buried nearby upon death.
* John Grisham - Novelist lives just outside of Charlottesville.
* Steven M. Greer - An ex-physician best known for founding the Disclosure Project.
* William McDonough - Environmental architect, planner, author; former Dean of Architecture at the University.
* Rob Sheffield - Author of Love is a Mix Tape, a memoir that takes place in Charlottesville.

Musicians

* William Walter - Rock and roll singer songwriter and founder of the band William Walter & Co.
* Dave Matthews - Bartender in a Charlottesville bar called Miller's when he formed the rock band Dave Matthews Band, and now divides his time between homes in Seattle and the Charlottesville area.
* Boyd Tinsley - Violinist and one of the backup singers for the rock band Dave Matthews Band.
* Carter Beauford - Percussionist (drummer) and founding member of the rock band Dave Matthews Band.
* LeRoi Moore - Saxophonist for the rock band Dave Matthews Band.
* Corey Harris - Blues and reggae musician and teacher. Winner of a MacArthur Fellowship in 2007.
* Don Barnes of 38 Specialspecify
* Bella Morte
* David Berman of the Silver Jews
* Paul Curreri
* John D'earth
* Sparky's Flaw
* Schuyler Fisk
* The Hackensaw Boys
* Happy Flowers
* The Landlords
* Stephen Malkmus of Pavement
* James McNew of Yo La Tengo
* Tom Peloso of Modest Mouse
* Devon Sproule
* Sarah White

Other Notable People

* Coran Capshaw - Manager for the rock band Dave Matthews Band (among others) and a real estate mogul responsible for significant development in the city.
* Sissy Spacek - Famous for her portrayal of tormented high schooler in the film "Carrie", won Academy Award for "Coal Miner's Daughter", lives near Charlottesville.
* Howie Long - TV sports personality and former football defensive end for the Oakland Raiders.
* Chris Long – Son of Howie Long and graduate of St. Anne's-Belfield School, an award-winning football defensive end on the 2007 Virginia Cavaliers football team, drafted 2nd overall by the St. Louis Rams in the 2008 NFL Draft.
*Kate Higgins-Voice actress, most notably "Naruto"
* Rob Lowe - Actor, was born in Charlottesville
* John Kluge - Multi-billionaire and philanthropist, lived in Charlottesville for a number of years and built the large Albemarle House.
* Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson - Actor, entertainer, and wrestler owns a farm just outside of the city.
* Actors Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard - Have maintained homes in the area.
*Billy Wagner - Closing Pitcher For The NY Mets
*Eric Wilson - Former NFL football player for the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins.
* Lauren Brie Harding - Contestant on America's Next Top Model.