Inductees

Born and raised in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, noted jazz musician George Benson (1943– ) started performing with local bands at just 8 years old. He would go on to become one of the world’s most celebrated jazz and pop artists. Benson began his career as a jazz guitarist. But equally talented as a vocalist and […]

A pioneering investigative journalist who broke gender stereotypes, Nellie Bly (1864–1922) was widely known for her record-breaking trip around the world and groundbreaking undercover work. Born Elizabeth Jane Cochran in a former Armstrong County settlement known as Cochran’s Mills, Bly—her pen name—spent most of her childhood in the nearby town of Apollo. She moved to […]

Industrialist Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919) led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century and in doing so became the wealthiest man in the world. Dedicated to philanthropy, he donated most of his vast fortune to foundations, charities, universities and, most notably, public libraries that he built across the country and throughout […]

A marine biologist who became well known as a writer and conservationist, Rachel Louise Carson (1907–1964) authored books that helped ignite the global environmental movement. Carson was born and raised in Springdale, Allegheny County, and attended Pennsylvania College for Women—now Chatham University—in Pittsburgh. She began her career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and […]

Puerto Rican baseball player Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker* (1934–1972) spent 18 seasons as a right-fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates and is known for his outstanding talent, humanitarian efforts, and trailblazing legacy. The legendary ballplayer amassed exactly 3,000 hits, won four National League batting titles, and earned 12 Gold Glove Awards for his defensive brilliance. In […]

Famously known for his title roles as Batman, Birdman, and Beetlejuice, actor Michael John Douglas (1951– ), known professionally as Michael Keaton, has appeared in nearly 100 films and TV series and is one of Hollywood’s most respected performers. Born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, Keaton grew up in Kennedy and Robinson townships and […]

Television host, producer, author, and ordained Presbyterian minister, Fred McFeely Rogers (1928–2003) was southwestern Pennsylvania’s favorite neighbor. As creator and host of the heralded children’s TV series “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood“, which aired nationally from 1968 to 2001, he became an American icon. Born and raised in Latrobe, Westmoreland County, Rogers later lived and worked in […]

Dr. Jonas Salk (1914–1995) led the medical research team at the University of Pittsburgh that developed the first safe and effective vaccine against polio (paralytic poliomyelitis). Before the vaccine, the highly contagious and dreaded disease had been a major cause of disability in children, with tens of thousands of cases occurring in the United States each […]

A leading figure in the Pop Art movement, Andy Warhol (1928–1987) is considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century, known for transforming everyday consumer goods and celebrities into iconic works of art. Born and raised in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood, Andrew Warhola took art classes as a child at Carnegie Museum of […]

Renowned playwright August Wilson (1945–2005) is best known for his series of 10 plays chronicling the experiences and heritage of America’s Black community across each decade of the 20th century. Collectively called The American Century Cycle, the series includes “Fences” and “The Piano Lesson“, which both won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. “Fences” also garnered […]