List of people from Springfield, Illinois

The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in Springfield, Illinois. For a similar list organized alphabetically by last name, see the category page People from Springfield, Illinois.

Arts and culture

• Adrian Belew, musician best known for solo career song "Oh Daddy" and work with King Crimson, the Talking Heads, and the Tom Tom Club; lived in Springfield during the 1980s
• June Christy, cool jazz singer with The Stan Kenton Orchestra
• Morris Day, musician and actor best known for work with Morris Day and the Time and Purple Rain, born in Springfield
• Brad Jones, internet personality, known for reviewing exploitation movies and 1980s cult movies on the web series, The Cinema Snob
• Vachel Lindsay, poet, considered the father of modern singing poetry, wrote first book of film criticism, The Art of the Moving Picture, in 1915^[1]
• Sarah Danielle Madison, actress in Training Day, Jurassic Park III, 90210, 7th Heaven, Judging Amy
• Jay Manuel, reality show host, America's Next Top Model
• Bobby McFerrin, musician best known for song "Don't Worry, Be Happy", attended Sangamon State University (now UIS) in 1975,^[2] son of opera baritone singer Bobby McFerrin Sr.
• Brendon Small, sitcom writer, producer, actor, and musician
• Louise Stanley, early 20th Century actress, born in Springfield
• Cecily Strong, cast member of Saturday Night Live, born in Springfield
• Bobby Watson, early 20th Century actor, born in Springfield

Business and Institutional Leadership

• Marsha J. Evans, CEO of American Red Cross and US Navy Admiral
• C.W. Post, businessman and founder of Postum Cereal Company
• Marjorie Merriweather Post, businesswoman, founder of General Foods Corporation, and leader in developing the frozen food market. One of her four marriages was to Edward Francis Hutton, founder of E.F. Hutton.
• Julius Rosenwald, President and Chairman of Sears, Roebuck and Co. and important philanthropist. Rosenwald was born in Springfield in 1862. He attended public schools and lived in Springfield until 1879. His philanthropy included establishing the Rosenwald Fund which was noted for donations to African American education and YMCAs. Rosenwald played a leading role in the creation of the Museum of Science and Industry.^[3]
• Warren Staley, CEO of Cargill, Inc.; attended Springfield High School

Politics and law

• John Peter Altgeld, Governor of Illinois from 1893 to January 1897, best known for role in Haymarket Affair pardons, the Pullman Strike and 1896 Democratic National Convention^[4]
• Stephen Arnold Douglas, Register of Federal Land Office, Springfield, 1837–1840; Illinois Secretary of State, 1840–41, associate justice of Illinois Supreme Court, 1841–1843; U.S. Representative, 1843; U.S. Senator, 1847 until death June 3, 1861; Democratic Presidential Candidate, 1860^[5]
• John Porter East (1931–1986), U.S. senator from North Carolina (1981–1986)^[6]
• Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885), 18th President of the United States of America, stationed in Springfield at the outbreak of the American Civil War^[7]
• John Hay, statesman, diplomat, author, journalist, and private secretary and assistant to Abraham Lincoln, grandfather of Ambassador John Hay Whitney^[8]
• William H. Herndon, law partner and biographer of Abraham Lincoln^[9]
• William Brown Ide (1796–1852), Vermont State Legislator, central figure in California's Bear Flag Revolt of 1846, named President of the Republic of California
• William Jayne, first governor of the Dakota Territory, personal friend of Abraham Lincoln^[10]
• Betty Ann Keegan, Illinois State Senator
• Otto Kerner, Jr., Governor of Illinois (1961 to 1968). Son-in-law of Anton Cermak, Kerner led the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, the Kerner Commission. He was convicted of corruption.
• John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers of America (1920 to 1960)
• Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States of America
• Mary Todd Lincoln, First Lady of the United States, wife of Abraham Lincoln, died in Springfield in 1882
• Robert Todd Lincoln, U.S. Secretary of War and son of Abraham Lincoln, born in Springfield
• Dana Perino – White House Press Secretary for the George W. Bush administration, reporter for WCIA and earned MA in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS)^[11]
• Paul Simon, U.S. Senator and Presidential candidate, served in the Illinois State legislature from 1955 to 1968, served as Illinois Lt. Governor from 1969 to 1973, taught at Sangamon State University (now UIS) from 1973 to 1975^[12] Father of Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon.
• Adlai Stevenson, 31st Governor of Illinois, Democratic Party's nominee for president in 1952 and 1956
• Helen J. Stewart, "first lady of Las Vegas"
• Sharon Tyndale, Illinois Secretary of State
• Brand Whitlock, journalist, mayor of Toledo, Ohio, ambassador to Belgium, and author. Lived in Springfield from 1892 to January 1897 while serving as reporter for Chicago Herald and then working for Secretary of State during Gov. Altgeld's administration.^[13]

Religion

• The Rt. Reverend Albert Arthur Chambers, Seventh Bishop of Springfield
• Kevin Vann, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange

Academics

• Robert Fitzgerald, Harvard poetry professor
• William H. Luers, diplomat, Metropolitan Museum of Art president, Columbia University professor
• Seth Barnes Nicholson, astronomer
• Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, Yale psychology professor

Sports

Baseball

• Al Barlick, Hall of Fame baseball umpire
• Ed Barrow, Major League Baseball manager and executive
• Don Erickson, pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies^[14]
• Roger Erickson, pitcher for the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins^[15]
• Jeff Fassero, pitcher for nine MLB teams (1991–2006)^[16]
• Rose Folder and pitcher in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League^[17]
• Tim Hulett, third baseman for the Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and St. Louis Cardinals; born in Springfield^[18]
• Tug Hulett, second baseman for the Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, and Philadelphia Phillies; son of Tim Hulett; born in Springfield
• Bob Kinsella, outfielder for the New York Giants^[19]
• Justin Knoedler, catcher for the San Francisco Giants^[20]
• George Lott, tennis player and coach, five-time U.S. Open doubles champion, member of International Tennis Hall of Fame; born in Springfield
• Ryan O'Malley, pitcher for the Chicago Cubs^[21]
• Robin Roberts, pitcher and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame^[22]
• Billy Rogell, shortstop for the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs^[23]
• Johnny Schaive, infielder for the Washington Senators^[24]
• Dick Schofield, shortstop for the California Angels, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers; son of MLB legend Ducky Schofield^[25]
• Ducky Schofield, infielder for nine MLB teams^[26]
• Kevin Seitzer, third baseman for the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians^[27]
• Allan Simpson, pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies and Milwaukee Brewers^[28]
• Art Sunday, outfielder for the Brooklyn Ward's Wonders^[29]
• Lou Sylvester, outfielder for the Cincinnati Outlaw Reds, Cincinnati Red Stockings, Louisville Colonels and St. Louis Browns^[30]
• Betty Wanless, infielder for the Grand Rapids Chicks and South Bend Blue Sox (AAGPBL)^[31]
• Eric Weaver, pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners and Anaheim Angels^[32]
• Jayson Werth, outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals^[33]
• Helen Westerman, catcher for the Kenosha Comets (AAGPBL)^[34]
• Roy Wise, pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates^[35]

Basketball

• Kevin Gamble, shooting guard and small forward for Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings.
• Andre Iguodala, shooting guard and small forward for Golden State Warriors, MVP of 2015 NBA Finals
• Dave Robisch, forward/center in the ABA and NBA

Football

• John Kidd, NFL punter 1984-98
• Ray Ramsey aka "Rocket" Ramsey, defensive back for the Chicago Cardinals (1950–1953); also had a brief professional basketball career
• Joey Sternaman, quarterback for Illinois and 1920s pro football teams including Chicago Bears
• Bob Trumpy, tight end for Cincinnati Bengals (1968–1977)
• Otto Stowe, wide receiver Miami Dolphins 1972

U.S. Olympic medal winners

• Dick Boushka, Gold Medal, Basketball, 1956
• Kelci Bryant, Silver Medal, Diving, 2012
• Steve Christoff, Gold Medal, Hockey, 1980, Miracle on Ice at Lake Placid
• Sarah Glaser, Silver Medal, Sailing, 2000
• Gracie Gold, Bronze Medal, Figure Skating, 2014
• Will Simpson, Gold Medal, Equestrian, 2008
• Ryan Held, Gold Medal, Men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay team, 2016

Updated as of Aug. 8, 2016

References

1. Camp, Dr. Dennis. "Brief Biography of Vachel Lindsay". Vachel Lindsay Association. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
2. Shoenburg, Bernard (2009-01-20). "Illinoisians Celebrate on Eve of Inauguration". Illinois State Journal Register. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
3. University of Chicago Library, Special Collections Research Center. "Guide to the Julius Rosenwald Papers 1905 - 1963". University of Chicago. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
4. Barnard, Harry (1938). "Eagle Forgotten" The Life of John Peter Altgeld. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company. pp. 167 to 411.
5. "Stephen A. Douglas Association".
6. "EAST, John Porter". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
7. Brands, H. W. (2012). The Man Who Saved The Union: Ulysses S. Grant in War and Peace. New York: Doubleday. p. 123.
8. "John Hay". The Lincoln Institute. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
9. "William H. Herndon". The Lincoln Institute. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
10. "William Jayne". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
11. "Dana Perino -- UIS grad makes good". University of Illinois Alumni Association. Fall 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
12. University of Illinois at Springfield. "Death of Paul Simon". Retrieved November 25, 2012.
13. Crunden, Robert M. (1969). A Hero in Spite of Himself – Brand Whitlock in Art, Politics, and War. New York: Alfred A. Knoff, Inc. pp. 35 to 69.
14. "Don Erickson". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
15. "Roger Erickson". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
16. "Jeff Fassero". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
17. "Rose Folder". All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
18. "Tim Hulett". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
19. "Bob Kinsella". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
20. "Justin Knoedler". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
21. "Ryan O'Malley". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
22. "Robin Roberts". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
23. "Billy Rogell". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
24. "Johnny Schaive". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
25. "Dick Schofield". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
26. "Ducky Schofield". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
27. "Kevin Seitzer". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
28. "Allan Simpson". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
29. "Art Sunday". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
30. "Lou Sylvester". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
31. "Betty Wanless". All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association,. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
32. "Eric Weaver". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
33. "Jayson Werth". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
34. "Helen Westerman". All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association,. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
35. "Roy Wise". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.

• Brands, H. W. (2012). The Man Who Saved The Union Ulysses S. Grant in War and Peace. New York: Doubleday.