Ambrose Burnside was a Civil War commander who was more notable for his spectacular and bloody defeats than his minor victories. The Bristol Rifle Works which he founded went out of business, but after the war, the state did elect him as governor for three consecutive terms. The word 'sideburns' is taken from his name, used because of the unusual way he wore his facial hair. Birthplace: Liberty, Indiana.
George M. Cohan was a theater owner and vaudeville entertainer in the late Teens, early Twenties. He wrote the song "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy." Birthplace: Providence.
One of the best Revolutionary War generals, Nathanael Greene led his troops at the battles of Brandywine and Princeton. He was later appointed Commander of the Army of the South and soundly defeated the British troops. Birthplace: Warwick.
Sons of a famous architect father, the La Farge boys would gain fame in their own right. Christopher took a degree in architecture but is better known for the many poems and novels he wrote, as well as his frequent contributions to the New Yorker and Harper's magazines. Oliver was also a writer of first rank, and won a Pulitzer Prize for his novel of the Navajo, Laughing Boy. He became a respected anthropologist specializing in Indian affairs. Though born in New York City, both of the La Farges spent much time on the family farm in Saunderstown, Rhode Island. Birthplace: New York City.
Matthew Perry was instrumental in placing the US Navy under steam power, and his career was devoted to that branch of the armed forces. He also secured a trading treaty with the Japanese in the 1850s, at a time when Japan was closed to most of the Western powers. Birthplace: Newport.
The brother of Matthew Perry, Oliver Perry secured Lake Erie for the United States. His fleet of warships defeated the British there in 1813. He is known for the quote, 'We have met the enemy and they are ours.' Birthplace: Kingston.
A famous American painter, Gilbert Stuart is well known for his portraits of our country's founding father, George Washington. In fact, the face of Washington on the dollar bill is adapted from a Stuart painting. Birthplace: Kingston.
