The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in Jacksonville, Illinois. For a similar list organized alphabetically by last name, see the category page People from Jacksonville, Illinois. Authors and academics Dr. Greene Vardiman Black (1836–1915), considered the "father of modern dentistry"; first to use nitrous oxide gas for extracting teeth without pain Martha Capps Oliver (1845–1917), poet, hymnwriter Everett Dean Martin (born and raised in Jacksonville), writer, lecturer, social psychologist, and an advocate of adult education Final Director of the People's Institute of Cooper Union in New York City from 1922-1934 Frank Haven Hall, inventor of the Hall Braille Writer and other Braille printing devices Bell Elliott Palmer (1873–1947), playwright, born and died in Jacksonville Willis Polk, architect J. F. Powers (1917–1999), Roman Catholic short story author and novelist; born in Jacksonville Alfred Henry Sturtevant (1891–1970), geneticist; constructed the first genetic map of a chromosome (1913) Wilson "Bob" Tucker (1914–2006), mystery, adventure, and science fiction writer; lived in Jacksonville Jonathan Baldwin Turner (1805–1899) classical scholar, botanist, and political activist Janice May Udry (1928–), Caldecott Medal-winning children's author, born in Jacksonville Bari Wood (1936–), science fiction, crime and horror author, born in Jacksonville Media and arts Marjorie Best (1903–1997), Academy Award-winning costume designer; born in Jacksonville Roger Deem (1958-2020), photographer William Fitzsimmons, folk singer; lived in Jacksonville Richard Moore (1925–2009), cinematographer and co-founder of Panavision; born in Jacksonville Kyra Phillips, correspondent for CNN and HLN, raised in Jacksonville Frank Reaugh (1860–1945), western artist Brian Sherwin, art critic; born in Jacksonville Liam Sullivan, actor; born in Jacksonville Military Benjamin Grierson (1826–1911), Civil War era general; commanded the all-Black 10th Cavalry known as Buffalo Soldiers; music teacher from Jacksonville John J. Hardin (1810–1847), congressman; killed as a colonel leading the First Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at the Battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican War Martin Davis Hardin (1837–1923), brigadier general during the Civil War; born in Jacksonville Politics and law James M. Barnes (1899–1958), U.S. congressman William H. Barnes, jurist William Jennings Bryan (1860–1925), lawyer and politician; ran for US president; known for his involvement in the Scopes Trial J. Edward Day (1914–1996), U.S. Postmaster General Stephen A. Douglas (1813–1861), U.S. senator and presidential candidate; settled in Jacksonville Joseph Duncan (1794–1844), sixth governor of Illinois Nancy Farmer (1956–), Missouri State Treasurer Paul Findley (1921–2019), U.S. congressman Hugh Green (1887–1968), Illinois legislator and lawyer Edward E. Johnston (1918–2011),