G. Late 20th & Early 21st Centuries | South Carolina Hall of Fame

1945 to present

Meet South Carolinians who made significant contribution during Cold War America (1945-1991) and The Civil Rights Movement (1947 - 1972). Also meet the outstanding South Carolinians from the world of politics, economics, sports, literature and the arts.

General William C. Westmoreland | S.C. Hall of Fame

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This is the story of General William C. Westmoreland, an Eagle Scout from Spartanburg County who earned medals for bravery in World War II and became a Four-Star General and the Military Commander of...
Ernest "Fritz" Hollings | S.C. Hall of Fame

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Ernest “Fritz” Hollings was born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1922. He graduated from The Citadel in 1942 and served as an artillery officer in World War Two. After the war, he was elected to the...
Charles Townes | S.C. Hall of Fame

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Charles H. Townes was born in Greenville, South Carolina, July 28, 1915, and grew up on a farm. Townes studied at Furman and Duke Universities, then headed west to Cal Tech. After getting his Ph.D...
Governor Richard W. Riley | S.C. Hall of Fame

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Richard W. Riley was born January 2, 1933 in Greenville, South Carolina. He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives and Senate from 1963 to 1977 and was elected Governor of South...
Benjamin Mays | S.C. Hall of Fame

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Benjamin Mays (1894-1984) was a minister, educator, scholar and social activist. He was known as the "Father of the Civil Rights Movement."
Elizabeth O'Neill Verner | S.C. Hall of Fame

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Elizabeth O'Neill Verner (1883–1979) was an artist, author and preservationist from Charleston, South Carolina. She was one of the leading figures in the “Charleston Renaissance” movement, which...
Carlisle Floyd | S.C. Hall of Fame

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Carlisle Floyd is one of the foremost composers and librettists of opera in the United States. Born in Latta, South Carolina in 1926, Floyd earned degrees in piano and composition at Syracuse...
Donald Stuart Russell | S.C. Hall of Fame

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Donald Stuart Russell (1906-1998) was a protégé of former Secretary of State James F. Byrnes. Russell was Governor of South Carolina from 1963-1965 and a U.S. Senator. He also served as President of...