Bess Streeter Aldrich (1881-1954) Writer of pioneer life novels set in Iowa.
Herbert Clark Hoover (1874-1964) 31st president of the United States. Born West Branch, Iowa.
MacKinley Kantor (1904-1977) Writer; his novel Spirit Lake was set against the 1857 Spirit Lake Massacre which took place at Spitit Lake, Iowa..
Philip Duffield Strong (1899-1957) Writer who used the Iowa State Fair as inspiration for his novel State Fair
Ruth Suckow (1892-1960) Author of regional novels such as Country People a multi-generational saga about an Iowa family.
Carl Van Vechnten (1880-1964) Author; wrote about his Iowa childhood in The Tattooed Countess.
John Wayne (1907-1979) AmericaΓÇÖs most revered movie star. Starred in over eighty films, most of which were westerns. Born Marion Michael Morrison in Winterset, Iowa.
Grant Wood (1891-1942) Painter of "American Gothic," featuring an Iowa preacher-farmer and his wife.
Fascinating Fact
Because many people blamed the Depression on Herbert Hoover, the rampant cardboard shanties in Iowa became known as "Hoovervilles," while empty pockets pulled outwards were called "Hoover flags."
Iowa adopted a state flag in 1921. The eagle and motto ribbon are found in the state seal. The red, white, and blue stripes recall the French Tricolor in remembrance of the United States' original acquisition of Iowa from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.