List of people from Columbus, Georgia
The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in Columbus, Georgia.
Arts and culture
Name
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Image
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Birth
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Death
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Known for
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Association
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Reference
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Bo Bartlett
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Dec 29, 1955
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Realist painter
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Born in Columbus
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[1]
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Megan Blake
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Miss Georgia 1983
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Born in Columbus
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Bob the Drag Queen (Caldwell Tidicue)
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June 22, 1986
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Drag queen and comedian, won season 8 of RuPaul's Drag Race
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Born in Columbus, studied theater at Columbus State University
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-
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Wayne Brady
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Jun 2, 1972
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Actor, singer, comedian, and television personality
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Born in Columbus
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Davian Chester
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May 27, 1993
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Political cartoonist
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Born in Columbus
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[2]
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Juliette Compton
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May 3, 1899
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Mar 19, 1989
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Actress
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Born in Columbus
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Donna D'Errico
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Mar 30, 1968
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Actress and model; Playmate of the Month (September, 1995); Donna Marco on Baywatch (1996 to 1998)
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Graduate of Pacelli High School in Columbus (1986)
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[3]
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Marina Savashynskaya Dunbar
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Jul 17, 1992
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Painter
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Lived in Columbus
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Justina Huff
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Sep 8, 1893
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Jun 29, 1977
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Silent film actress (The Diamond Crown, Tess of the d'Urbervilles)
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Born in Columbus
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[4]
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Louise Huff
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Nov 14, 1895
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Aug 22, 1973
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Silent film actress (Great Expectations, Mile-A-Minute Kendall, Disraeli)
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Born in Columbus
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[5]
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Nunnally Johnson
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Dec 5, 1897
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Mar 25, 1977
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Academy Award-nominated filmmaker (The Grapes of Wrath, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit)
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Born in Columbus, graduated from Columbus High School (1915)
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[6]
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Sherrilyn Kenyon
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Dec 11, 1965
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#1 New York Times and international bestselling author (Dark-Hunters, League, Chronicles of Nick, Lords of Avalon series)
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Born in Columbus, attended Key Elementary School
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Carson McCullers
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Feb 19, 1917
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Sep 29, 1967
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Writer (The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, The Member of the Wedding, and The Ballad of the Sad Café)
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Born in Columbus
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[7]
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Robert Parrish
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Jan 4, 1916
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Dec 4, 1995
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Academy Award- winning editor for Body and Soul (1947), directed Casino Royale (1967)
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Born in Columbus
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[8]
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George Foster Peabody
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Jul 27, 1852
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Mar 4, 1938
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Banker and philanthropist; namesake of the Peabody Award
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Born in Columbus
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[9]
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James Rachels
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May 30, 1941
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Sep 5, 2003
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Philosopher, focusing on ethics and animal rights
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Born in Columbus
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[10]
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Amy Sherald
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Aug 30, 1973
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Best known for her portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama
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Born in Columbus
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Mary Ann Williams
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Aug 10, 1821
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Apr 15, 1874
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First to propose an annual holiday to decorate soldiers graves (Memorial Day)
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Lived in Columbus
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-
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Music
Name
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Image
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Birth
|
Death
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Known for
|
Association
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Reference
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Robert M. Barr
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1918
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1988
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Conductor of the Jordan High School Band in Columbus (1946–1963)
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Lived in Columbus; chorus director in Fort Benning
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[11]
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Jean Carn
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Mar 15, 1947
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Singer; vocalist credited with a five octave vocal range
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Born in Columbus
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Robert Cray
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Aug 1, 1953
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Five-time Grammy Award-winning blues guitarist and singer
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Born in Columbus
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Justin Guarini
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Oct 28, 1978
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Singer, songwriter, and actor; runner-up on American Idol season 1 (2002)
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Born in Columbus
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[12]
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Jake Hess
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Dec 24, 1927
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Jan 4, 2004
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Grammy Award-winning southern gospel singer
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Lived in Columbus
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[13]
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Dmitri Matheny
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Dec 25, 1965
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Jazz flugelhornist, composer, educator, producer and recording artist
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Grew up in Columbus
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[14]
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Marilyn McCoo
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Sep 30, 1943
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Pop singer
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Lived in Columbus for seven years
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[15]
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Curley Money
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Mar 20, 1925
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Dec 23, 2003
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Rockabilly musician and songwriter
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Lived in Columbus
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[16]
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Bebo Norman
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May 29, 1973
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Contemporary Christian musician
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Lives in Columbus
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[17]
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Ma Rainey
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Apr 26, 1886
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Dec 22, 1939
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Among the earliest known professional blues singers; billed as The Mother of the Blues
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Born in Columbus
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[18]
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Herrman S. Saroni
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Feb 1824
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Dec 29, 1900
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Author, composer and inventor credited with starting the Columbus Symphony Orchestra
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Lived in Columbus
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[19]
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Keni Thomas
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Country music singer and United States Army Ranger
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Lives in Columbus
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[20]
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Rozonda Thomas (a.k.a. Chilli)
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Feb 27, 1971
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Singer-songwriter, actress and television personality; founding member of girl group TLC
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Lives in Columbus
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[citation needed]
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Danny Whitten
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May 8, 1943
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Nov 18, 1972
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Musician and songwriter, known for his work with Neil Young's band Crazy Horse
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Born in Columbus
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[21]
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Blind Tom Wiggins
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May 25, 1849
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Jun 14, 1908
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African-American musical prodigy on the piano
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Owned as a slave in Columbus
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[22]
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Tim Wilson
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Aug 5, 1961
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Feb 26, 2014
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Stand-up comedian and country music artist
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Born and died in Columbus
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[23]
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Business
Military
Politics and activism
Name
|
Image
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Birth
|
Death
|
Known for
|
Association
|
Reference
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Bubba Copeland
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May 27, 1974
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Nov 3, 2023
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Mayor of Smiths Station, Alabama (2016–2023)
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Born in Columbus
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Newt Gingrich
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Jun 17, 1943
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58th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
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Graduated from Baker High School in Columbus (1961)
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[30]
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Petra Kelly
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Nov 29, 1947
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Oct 1, 1992
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Founder of German Green Party
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Graduated from Baker High School in Columbus (1966)
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[31]
|
Mirabeau B. Lamar
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Aug 16, 1798
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Dec 19, 1859
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2nd President of the Republic of Texas
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Lived in Columbus and founded the Columbus Enquirer newspaper
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[32]
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Ted J. Land
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Aug 22, 1936
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Mar 31, 2018
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Member of the Georgia State Senate 1979–1991
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Represented Marion, Talbot, and portions of Muscogee counties
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Bobby G. Peters
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Feb 21, 1949
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Mayor of Columbus, Georgia 1995–2002
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Lived in Columbus, graduated from Hardaway High School (1967); also a Superior Court judge
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[33]
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Sports
Baseball
Name
|
Image
|
Birth
|
Death
|
Known for
|
Association
|
Reference
|
Reggie Abercrombie
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Jul 15, 1981
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Center fielder for Florida Marlins and Houston Astros
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Born in Columbus
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[34]
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Glenn Davis
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Mar 28, 1961
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Two-time All-Star first baseman for the Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, and Hanshin Tigers
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Lives in Columbus; Columbus City Council member
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[35]
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Tim Hudson
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Jul 14, 1975
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Four-time All-Star pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants
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Born in Columbus
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[36]
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Garey Ingram
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Jul 25, 1970
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Second baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers
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Born in Columbus
|
[37]
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Edwin Jackson
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Sep 9, 1983
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All-Star pitcher for MLB teams; World Series champion (2011)
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Attended Shaw High School in Columbus
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[38]
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Brian Mallette
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Jan 19, 1975
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Relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers and Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes
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Attended Columbus State University
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[39]
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Tony Pierce
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Jan 29, 1946
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Jan 31, 2013
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Pitcher for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics
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Lived and died in Columbus; Attended Jordan High School in Columbus
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[40]
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Colby Rasmus
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Aug 11, 1986
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Center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays
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Born in Columbus
|
[41]
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Cory Rasmus
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Nov 6, 1987
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Pitcher for the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
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Born in Columbus
|
[42]
|
Steven Register
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May 16, 1983
|
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Relief pitcher for the Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies
|
Born in Columbus
|
[43]
|
Frank Thomas
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May 27, 1968
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2014 Hall of Fame Inductee – Five-time All-Star first baseman for the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and Toronto Blue Jays; Two-time AL MVP (1993, 1994)
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Born in Columbus
|
[44]
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Basketball
Bodybuilding
Name
|
Image
|
Birth
|
Death
|
Known for
|
Association
|
Reference
|
Derrius Brooks
|
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May 29, 1988
|
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Defensive back for multiple teams
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Born in Columbus
|
[46]
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Brentson Buckner
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Sep 30, 1971
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Defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers, and Carolina Panthers
|
Born in Columbus, graduated from G.W. Carver High School
|
[47]
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Isaiah Crowell
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Jan 8, 1993
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Running back for the Cleveland Browns
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Born in Columbus, graduated from G.W. Carver High School
|
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Rod Hood
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Oct 3, 1981
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Cornerback for six NFL teams
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Born in Columbus, graduated from G.W. Carver High School
|
[48]
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Chris Hubbard
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Apr 23, 1991
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Offensive guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers
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Born in Columbus; graduated from G.W. Carver High School
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Chuck Hurston
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Nov 9, 1942
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Nov 3, 2015
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Defensive end for the Super Bowl IV champion Kansas City Chiefs
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Born in Columbus
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Jarvis Jones
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Oct 13, 1989
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Outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers
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Graduated from G.W. Carver High School in Columbus
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Mark LeGree
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Jul 8, 1989
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Safety for seven NFL teams
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Attended Pacelli High School in Columbus
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Kelcie McCray
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Sep 21, 1988
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Free safety for the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Kansas City Chiefs
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Born in Columbus
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Dell McGee
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Sep 7, 1973
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Run game coordinator & running backs coach for the Georgia Bulldogs
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Born in Columbus
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DeQuan Menzie
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Jan 11, 1990
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Cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, and Carolina Panthers
|
Born in Columbus, graduated from G.W. Carver High School
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[49]
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Nate Odomes
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Aug 25, 1965
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Cornerback for the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, and Atlanta Falcons; 2× Pro Bowl (1992, 1993)
|
Born in Columbus, graduated from G.W. Carver High School
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[50]
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Rayshun Reed
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Apr 10, 1981
|
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Defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers
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Born in Columbus
|
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Steve Reese
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Jan 7, 1952
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Linebacker for the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
Born in Columbus
|
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Otis Sistrunk
|
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Sep 18, 1946
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Defensive end for the Oakland Raiders; Pro Bowl
|
Born in Columbus
|
[51]
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Mack Strong
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Sep 11, 1971
|
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Fullback for the Seattle Seahawks; 2× Pro Bowl (2005, 2006)
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Attended Brookstone School in Columbus
|
[52]
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Cleo Walker
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Feb 7, 1948
|
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Linebacker for the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons
|
Born in Columbus
|
[53]
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Soccer
Wrestling
References
- ^ "Bo Bartlett". Newswise, Inc. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ Gunn, Olivia (2019-06-21). "Columbus native receives high recognition for creating Google doodle in honor of Juneteenth". www.wtvm.com. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ "Donna D'Errico". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ Bellware, Daniel (Fall 2016). "Those Huff Girls". Muscogiana. Columbus State University.
- ^ Bellware, Daniel (Fall 2016). "Those Huff Girls". Muscogiana. Columbus State University.
- ^ Stempel, Tom (1980). Screenwriter, The Life and Times of Nunnally Johnson. A. S. Barnes. pp. 20. ISBN 978-0-498-02362-0.
- ^ "Carson McCullers". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ Parrish, Robert (1976). Growing Up in Hollywood. Harcourt Brace Jovanivich. p. 3. ISBN 0-15-137473-2.
- ^ "George Foster Peabody". rjohara.net. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Alma Thomas". National Museum of women in the Arts. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Robert M. Barr". High School Band Directors National Association. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ "Justin Guarini". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ "Jake Hess". Southern Gospel History. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ "Dmitri Matheny". azcentral.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr". Retrieved 26 Oct 2021.
- ^ "Curley Money". AlabamaMusicOffice.Com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Bebo Norman". Starpulse.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Ma Rainey". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Columbus Symphony Orchestra History". Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
- ^ "Keni Thomas". Gainesville.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Danny Whitten". Rovi Corp. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Blind Tom Wiggins". BlackPast.org. 13 February 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ Fernandez, Maria Elena (Feb 27, 2014). "Comedic country singer Tim Wilson dies at 52". NBC News. Today. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
- ^ "About RC Cola International: Our History". Retrieved 11 Sep 2014.
- ^ Bellware, Daniel (April 2003). "The Last Battle. Period. Really". Civil War Times Illustrated. 42: 48–56.
- ^ "John Stith Pemberton". University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Robert W. Woodruff". University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Henry L. Benning". Benning-Cobb-Russell Family of Georgia. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ "Eugene Bullard". University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ "Newt Gingrich". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ https://peopleinaction.com/petrakelly/
- ^ President Mirabeau B. Lamar, tsl.state.tx.us; retrieved March 2008
- ^ "Superior Court Judges". Columbus Georgia Government. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
- ^ "Reggie Abercrombie". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ "Glenn Davis". Jacksonville.com. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ "Tim Hudson". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ "Garey Ingram". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- ^ "Edwin Jackson". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ "Brian Mallette". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- ^ "Tony Pierce". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- ^ "Colby Rasmus". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Cory Rasmus". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- ^ "Steven Register". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- ^ "Frank Thomas". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Sam Mitchell". Basketball Reference.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Derrius Brooks". nfl.com. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
- ^ "Brentson Buckner". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ "Roderick Hood". NFL Enterprises LLc. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
- ^ "DeQuan Menzie". Alabama Crimson Tide. Archived from the original on 10 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Nate Odomes". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Otis Sistrunk". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Mack Strong". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Cleo Walker". Pro-Football Reference. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Marshall Leonard". Virginia Cavaliers Men's Soccer. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
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