A–Z index
All 973 people, filed by surname.
38 people
Andrew Jackson 1767–1845Government & PoliticsSeventh President whose populist policies and Indian Removal Act left a deeply contested legacy.
Jesse Jackson 1941–2026Reform & RightsCivil rights leader whose 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns expanded Black political participation.
Ketanji Brown Jackson b. 1970Government & PoliticsFirst Black woman appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Michael Jackson 1958–2009Arts & LettersPerformer whose recordings, choreography, and music videos redefined global pop stardom.
Robert H. Jackson 1892–1954Government & PoliticsJustice, attorney general, and chief U.S. prosecutor at Nuremberg who influenced constitutional law and international criminal justice.
Samuel L. Jackson b. 1948Arts & LettersHighest-grossing actor of all time whose prolific career spans blockbusters and indie films.
Stonewall Jackson 1824–1863Government & PoliticsConfederate general whose Shenandoah Valley campaign became a standard study in maneuver warfare.
Jane Jacobs 1916–2006Technology & BuildingWriter and activist whose defense of mixed, walkable neighborhoods transformed urban planning.
Henry James 1843–1916Arts & LettersNovelist whose intricate explorations of consciousness and society bridged American and European literature.
LeBron James b. 1984Frontier & SportNBA superstar and philanthropist considered one of the greatest basketball players in history.
William James 1842–1910Ideas & MediaFounded American psychology as a discipline and shaped pragmatist philosophy at Harvard.
Jay-Z b. 1969Arts & LettersRapper and entrepreneur whose career helped move hip-hop from a subculture to the center of American business and culture.
John Jay 1745–1829Government & PoliticsFounding Father, diplomat, Federalist Papers co-author, and first chief justice who helped construct the early republic.
Thomas Jefferson 1743–1826Government & PoliticsPrincipal author of the Declaration of Independence and third President who oversaw the Louisiana Purchase.
Mae Jemison b. 1956Frontier & SportFirst African American woman in space, physician, and advocate for science education and global health.
William Le Baron Jenney 1832–1907Technology & BuildingArchitect and engineer who designed the first skyscraper, the Home Insurance Building in Chicago.
Peter Jennings 1938–2005Ideas & MediaABC World News Tonight anchor whose calm authority made him one of the most trusted voices in news.
Laurene Powell Jobs b. 1963Business & LaborBusinesswoman and Emerson Collective founder investing in education, immigration, and social justice.
Steve Jobs 1955–2011Technology & BuildingCo-founder of Apple who revolutionized personal computing, music, and mobile communications.
Daymond John b. 1969Business & LaborFounder of FUBU and Shark Tank investor who built a streetwear empire from a Queens home.
Jasper Johns b. 1930Arts & LettersPainter and printmaker whose Flag and Target paintings bridged Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art.
Abigail Johnson b. 1961Business & LaborCEO of Fidelity Investments who oversees one of the world's largest asset management firms.
Andrew Johnson 1808–1875Government & Politics17th president whose obstruction of Reconstruction weakened protections for formerly enslaved people and led to impeachment.
Jack Johnson 1878–1946Frontier & SportFirst Black world heavyweight boxing champion whose reign provoked national controversy over race and sport.
Katherine Johnson 1918–2020Frontier & SportNASA mathematician whose orbital trajectory calculations supported the Mercury and Apollo crewed flights.
Kelly Johnson 1910–1990Technology & BuildingLed Lockheed's Skunk Works and designed the U-2 and SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft.
Lyndon B. Johnson 1908–1973Government & Politics36th President who signed the Civil Rights Act and launched the Great Society programs.
Magic Johnson b. 1959Frontier & SportLakers legend whose Showtime era and HIV advocacy transformed basketball and public health conversations.Marsha P. Johnson 1945–1992Reform & RightsTransgender activist and Stonewall uprising figure who co-founded STAR to help homeless LGBTQ youth.Robert Johnson 1911–1938Arts & LettersDelta blues guitarist whose small recorded output influenced generations of blues and rock players.
Chuck Jones 1912–2002Arts & LettersWarner Bros. animator who directed many of the studio's Bugs Bunny and Road Runner shorts.
Jim Jones 1931–1978Crime & NotorietyPeoples Temple founder whose 1978 Jonestown murder-suicide killed over nine hundred followers.
John Paul Jones 1747–1792Government & PoliticsContinental Navy captain whose Revolutionary War victories established early American naval tradition.
Scott Joplin 1868–1917Arts & LettersRagtime composer whose piano rags were among the first widely sold American popular sheet music.
Barbara Jordan 1936–1996Government & PoliticsTexas congresswoman whose Watergate impeachment address made her a leading constitutional voice in Congress.
Michael Jordan b. 1963Frontier & SportWidely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, who became a global marketing phenomenon.
Bill Joy b. 1954Technology & BuildingPrincipal author of Berkeley Unix and co-founder and chief scientist of Sun Microsystems.
Percy Lavon Julian 1899–1975Science & MedicinePioneered synthesis of cortisone and other steroids from plant sterols.