Philip H. Johnson (1970 - 1933)

Architect. Johnson was a member of Philadelphia’s republican ‘machine’ when he married ward boss Israel Durham’s sister Margaret in 1902. Through Durham’s connections, mayor Samuel Ashbridge entered the city into a “perpetual contract” with Johnson, giving him the title of City Architect until his death. Johnson, with help from the ‘machine’, manipulated city contracts and […]

Philip Cortelyou Johnson (1906 - 2005)

Architect, Author, Teacher. An  icon of the twentieth century, considered by many as the dean of American architects. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he was the son of Louise (Pope) and Homer H. Johnson, a well-to-do lawyer and is survived by one sister Jeannette Dempsey, of Cleveland, 102 at the time of his death.  He received […]

Philip Cortelyou Johnson (1906 - 2005)

Architect, Author, Teacher. An  icon of the twentieth century, considered by many as the dean of American architects. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he was the son of Louise (Pope) and Homer H. Johnson, a well-to-do lawyer and is survived by one sister Jeannette Dempsey, of Cleveland, 102 at the time of his death.  He received […]

Frank Tenney Johnson (1874 - 1939)

Artist.  A painter of the American west, he popularized a style of portraying cowboys which became known as “The Johnson Moonlight Technique”. Shunning traditional tools of artists he used knives, fingers and brushes to design his paintings. Eventually his paintings became more popular than his illustrations so he concentrated in this medium. He died in […]

Eastman Johnson (1824 - 1906)

Artist. Born Jonathan Eastman Johnson in Lovell, Maine, the son of Philip C. Johnson, a government official, and Mary Chandler. Eastman grew up in Fryeburg and Augusta, where the family lived at Pleasant Street and later at 61 Winthrop Street.His father was the owner of several businesses, and active in fraternal organizations: he was Grand […]

Eastman Johnson (1824 - 1906)

Artist. Born Jonathan Eastman Johnson in Lovell, Maine, the son of Philip C. Johnson, a government official, and Mary Chandler. Eastman grew up in Fryeburg and Augusta, where the family lived at Pleasant Street and later at 61 Winthrop Street.His father was the owner of several businesses, and active in fraternal organizations: he was Grand […]

Jay Presson Allen (1922 - 2006)

Author. She is best remembered for her screenplays “Marnie” (1964), “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” (1964), “Cabaret” (1972), “Travels with my Aunt” (1972), and “Funny Lady” (1975) and also she created the TV series “Family”. She earned two Oscar nominations for the Best Screenplay. She was married to producer Lewis M. Allen. (bio by: […]

Adelaide Johnson (1859 - 1955)

Artist, sculptor, and ardent suffragist. Her works can be seen in the Capitol and at the National Woman’s Party Headquarters. (bio by: Laurie)

John Johansen (1876 - 1964)

Portrait Painter. Best known for his landscapes, portraits, and interior scenes. He also created a widely exhibited series of industrial shipyard pictures during World War I. Also during World World I, he was commissioned by the National Art Committee to paint portraits of important international figures involved with the war. (bio by: Laurie)  Family links: […]

James Lane Allen (1849 - 1925)

Author, Educator. Graduated from Transylvania University in 1872, and received his Master’s degree from Transylvania in 1877. After graduation, he embarked on a teaching career in Kentucky, Missouri and West Virginia. In 1893 he moved to New York to pursue writing. His published works include “With Flute and Violin” (1891), “The Blue Grass Region” (1892), […]

Augustus John (1878 - 1961)

Artist. Considered to be the most talented artist of his generation. He studied at the Slade School of Art (1894 to 1899). In 1898, he won the Slade prize with “Moses” and the “Brazen serpent.” On the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, John was the best-known artist in Britian. He obtained a […]

Hervey Allen, Jr (1889 - 1949)

Novelist. His many works include, “Wampum And Old Gold” (1921), “The Bride Of Huitzell: An Aztec Legend” (1922), “Carolina Chansons: Legends Of The Low Country” (1922), “The Blindman: A Ballad Of Nogent L’Artaud” (1923), “Earth Moods And Other Poems” (1925), “Christmas Epithlamium” (1925), “Toward The Flame” (1926), “New Legends: Poems” (1929), “Sarah Simon: Character Atlantean” […]

John Johansen (1876 - 1964)

Portrait Painter. Best known for his landscapes, portraits, and interior scenes. He also created a widely exhibited series of industrial shipyard pictures during World War I. Also during World World I, he was commissioned by the National Art Committee to paint portraits of important international figures involved with the war. (bio by: Laurie)  Family links: […]

Dante Alighieri (1265 - 1321)

Author. Born Durante Alighieri in Florence, Italy the son of Alighiero di Bellincione Alighieri, a notary, and his first wife. His studies included rhetoric, grammar, philosophy, literature , theology, philosophy, and theology. In 1293 he joined the guild of physicians and apothecaries in order to gain entry into the political life of the city. About […]

Dean Jeffries (1933 - 2013)

Legendary Custom Car Designer and Builder. Born Edward Dean Jeffies, he dreamed of attending art school, but his family could not afford the tuition. His father, a car mechanic, tried to teach him the trade, but he preferred drawing and hated the grease and dirt of mechanical work. During the Korean War, while stationed with […]

Antonio Aliberti (1938 - 2000)

Author. He wrote 18 poems books, among them are “Límites Posibles,” “Cuartos Contiguos,” “Delicado Equilibrio” and “Incierta Vocación.” He also wrote five essays books and several anthologies.  (bio by: 380W)

Jeanne-Claude (1935 - 2009)

Artist. She joined with her husband Christo to create numerous very large temporary (mostly) urban works of art. Born Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon in North Africa (she and her husband each used only their first names), she lived a somewhat vagabond childhood due to her mother’s several marriages. After education in France and Switzerland, she […]

Wilfred Jackson (1906 - 1988)

Motion Picture Animator, Director. He was a key associate of Walt Disney for over 30 years. Wilfred Emmons Jackson was born in Chicago and raised in Los Angeles. Cartoons fascinated him from childhood. While studying at the Otis College of Art and Design in 1928, he approached Disney and offered to pay him “tuition” for […]

Horatio Alger, Jr (1832 - 1899)

Author. Raised in a strict Calvinist home he attempted to follow in his father’s footsteps of being a clergyman but heeded the call to write instead. A native of Revere, Massachusetts he graduated from Harvard Divinity School having studied under the famed poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. His attempt to join the Union army was thwarted […]

John Jay (1970 - 1970)

Builder and stonemason, erected the neo-gothic Chapel at Abney Park Cemetery (bio by: David Conway)

Francesco Algarotti (1712 - 1764)

Philosopher, Art Critic. Born into a privileged Venetian family, Algarotti studied in Rome, Bologna, Florence and Paris before settling in London in 1744 where he became a member of the Royal Society, officially known as The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge. He studied and wrote on topics from classical literature and paintings, […]

Horst Janssen (1929 - 1995)

Painter, Honour citizen of Oldenburg.  Family links:  Spouse:  Beatrice R Walker (1922 – 2011)* *Calculated relationship

Vittorio Alfieri (1749 - 1803)

Italian poet.

Caroline Risque Janis (1883 - 1952)

Artist. Caroline was a well-known painter and sculptor, selling numerous paintings in New Orleans as well as St. Louis before her marriage. She later opened a studio in St. Louis and was the head of the Art Department for John Burroughs School for many years. She was one of “The Potters,” a group of eight […]

Shana Alexander (1925 - 2005)

Journalist, Author. She is best known for her debates with conservative journalist James J. Kilpatrick during the “Point-Counter Point” segments that ended every episode of the television news program “60 Minutes” in the 1970s.  Family links:  Children:  Kathy Alexander (1961 – 1987)* *Calculated relationship

Djura Jaksic (1832 - 1878)

Poet and painter. He studied fine arts in Vienna and Munich. He has been a teacher and professor in various towns in Serbia. He belongs to the most expressive representatives of Serbian romanticism. Passionate, of impetuous imagination, flamy emotions, rebellious and a freedom-lover, he has written, with romanticist pathos, songs about freedom, against tyranny, and […]

Margaret Abigail Walker Alexander (1915 - 1998)

Author. Using her maiden name, Margaret Walker, as her pen name, she published works in almost every genre, and is best known for “Jubilee”, her widely acclaimed novel based on her own family’s experiences in the years during and after slavery. Her poetry, including the prize-winning “For My People”, alos has gained acclaim. Growing up […]

Albert Jaegers (1868 - 1925)

Sculptor. Born in Elberfeld, Germany, he came to America and lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. At first he was an apprentice to his father, a wood carver. Later he worked in an architect’s office. He studied at the Cincinnati Art Academy. His most famoust sculpture is a monument to General von Steuben, located in Lafayette Park, […]

William Addison “Billy” Ireland (1880 - 1935)

Beloved cartoonist for Columbus, Ohio Dispatch for 37 years with humorous “Passing Show”. An accomplished political cartoonist.  Family links:  Spouse:  Florence Sayre Ireland (1881 – 1962)* *Calculated relationship

Lloyd Alexander (1924 - 2007)

Author. A writer of children’s fantasy fiction books, he is best known for the “Chronicles of Prydain” series and won the Newbery Medal for “The High King” in 1969.  Another of his novels, “The Black Cauldron”,  was made into a 1985 Walt Disney Studios animated motion picture. After serving in the United States Army during […]