1920s Important Figures

Babe Ruth

"Home Run King" in baseball, provided an idol for young people and a figurehead for America

Henry Ford

1863-1947. American businessman, founder of Ford Motor Company, father of modern assembly lines, and inventor credited with 161 patents.

Charlie Chaplin

A "silent comedian," this movie star continued to lengthen the silent film style and offer an alternative to the sound film with his trademark tattered suit, derby hat, and cane, playing the "little tramp" who made audiences laugh with his silent jokes. Did speaking movies, too.

Clarence Darrow

A famed criminal defense lawyer for Scopes, who supported evolution. He caused William Jennings Bryan to appear foolish when Darrow questioned Bryan about the Bible.

Al Capone

A mob king in Chicago who controlled a large network of speakeasies with enormous profits. His illegal activities convey the failure of prohibition in the twenties and the problems with gangs.

Rudolph Valentino

A popular, attractive actor in silent films. Well known for his role in "The Sheik". Known also for being "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse", but his career slowly declined due to being discriminated against for being Italian.

Bessie Smith

African American blues singer who played and important role in the Harlem Reniassance.

George Washington Carver

African American farmer and food scientist. His research improved farming in the South by developing new products using peanuts.

Langston Hughes

African American poet who described the rich culture of african American life using rhythms influenced by jazz music. He wrote of African American hope and defiance, as well as the culture of Harlem and also had a major impact on the Harlem Renaissance.

Josephine Baker

African-American actress, singer, opera performer, first black women to star in major motion picture; she moved to France. Created the "Banana Shift Dance."

Georgia O'Keeffe

American artist that painted flowers and landscapes during the great depression.

Calvin Coolidge

Became president when Harding died of pneumonia. He was known for practicing a rigid economy in money and words, and acquired the name "Silent Cal" for being so soft-spoken. He was a true republican and industrialist. Believed in the government supporting big business.

Duke Ellington

Born in Chicago middle class. moved to Harlem in 1923 and began playing at the cotton club. Composer, pianist and band leader. Most influential figures in jazz. Created one of the most famous ensembles.

Knute Rockne

Famous Notre Dame football coach/ only lost 12 games between 1919 and 1931

Jackie Dempsey

Famous boxer, but raised many criticisms from the public

Walt Disney

Film maker, cartoonist, visionary. He developed many famous characters as well as amusement theme parks.

Gertrude Ederle

First woman to swim across the English Channel, beat previously male record

Sacco and Vanzetti

In 1920 these two men were convicted of murder and robbery. They were found guilty and died in the electric chair unfairly, only executed due to being anarchists and Italian.

Louis Armstrong

Leading African American jazz musician during the Harlem Renaissance; he was a talented trumpeter whose style influenced many later musicians.

E. Scott Fitzgerald

Lost Gen writer, notable works include Great Gatsby and This Side of Paradise. Wrote in a flowery, detailed tone.

Ernest Hemingway

Lost Generation writer, notable works include A Farewell to Arms and Old Man and the Sea

Al Jolson

Made the first talking movie in 1927..The "Jazz Singer"

Man O' War

Most famous race horse of all time

Johnny Weissmuller

Olympic swimming championship, undefeated in freestyle races, held 67 records, movie star as Tarzan

Herbert Hoover

Republican candidate who assumed the presidency in March 1929 promising the American people prosperity and attempted to first deal with the Depression by trying to restore public faith in the community. Huminitarian.

Warren Harding (1921-1923)

Stuck with the Republican Formula, and although they initially proved effective, career was wrecked due to scandals like Teapot Dome and the Ohio Gang's shenanigans.

Charles Lindbergh

United States aviator who in 1927 made the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean (1902-1974)

Greta Garbo

United States film actress (born in Sweden) known for her reclusiveness (1905-1990) "handsome actress" Introduced the 'sex symbol, mysterious woman' archetype into film.

Tyrus Raymond Cobb

Very popular baseball player who didn't like Babe Ruth.

Buster Keaton

an American comic actor and filmmaker.He was best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression, earning him the nickname "The Great Stone Face".

Mary Pickford

an actress known as "America's Sweetheart", first actress to receive a percentage a percentage of a film's earnings. Known for silent films.

Red Grange

famous college football player who played for the University of Illinois, known as Galloping Ghost!

Bobby Jones

famous golfer