Cherokee People - Cherokee in History

Cherokee in History

This includes only Cherokee documented in history. Contemporary notable Cherokee people are listed in the articles for the appropriate tribe. For self-identified people of Cherokee heritage, see List of Self-identified people of Cherokee ancestry.

• William Penn Adair (1830–1880), Cherokee senator and diplomat, Confederate colonel.
• Attakullakulla (ca. 1708 – ca. 1777), diplomat to Britain, headman of Chota, chief
• Bob Benge (ca. 1762–1794), warrior of the Lower Cherokee during the Chickamauga Wars
• Elias Boudinot (Galagina) (1802–1839), statesman, orator, and editor, founded first Cherokee newspaper, Cherokee Phoenix
• Ned Christie (1852–1892), statesman, Cherokee Nation senator, infamous outlaw
• Admiral Joseph J. Clark (1893–1971), United States Navy, highest ranking Native American in the US military, awarded the Navy Cross.
• Doublehead, Taltsuska (d. 1807), a war leader during the Chicamauga Wars, led the Lower Cherokee, signed land deals with US
• Dragging Canoe, Tsiyugunsini (1738–1792), general the militant Cherokee during the Chickamauga Wars, principal chief of the Chicamauga or Lower Cherokee
• Franklin Gritts, Cherokee artist taught at Haskell Institute and served on the USS Franklin
• Charles R. Hicks (d. 1827), veteran of the Red Stick War, Second Principal Chief to Pathkiller in early 17th century, de facto Principal Chief from 1813–1827
• Junaluska (ca. 1775–1868), veteran of the Creek War, who saved President Andrew Jackson's life
• Oconostota, Aganstata (Beloved Man) (ca. 1710–1783), war chief during the Anglo-Cherokee War,
• Ostenaco, Ustanakwa (ca. 1703–1780), war chief, diplomat to Britain, founded the town of Ultiwa
• Major Ridge Ganundalegi or "Pathkiller" (ca.1771–1839), veteran of the Chickamauga Wars and the Red Stick War, signer of the Treaty of New Echota
• John Ridge, Skatlelohski (1792–1839), son of Major Ridge, statesman, New Echota Treaty signer
• John Rollin Ridge, Cheesquatalawny, or "Yellow Bird" (1827–1867), grandson of Major Ridge, first Native American novelist
• Clement V. Rogers (1839–1911), US Senator, judge, cattleman, member of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention
• Will Rogers, entertainer, roper, journalist, and author
• John Ross, Guwisguwi (1790–1866), veteran of the Red Stick War, Principal Chief in the east, during Removal, and in the west
• Sequoyah (ca. 1767–1843), inventor of the Cherokee syllabary
• Nimrod Jarrett Smith, Tsaladihi (1837–1893), Principal Chief of the Eastern Band, Civil War veteran
• Redbird Smith (1850–1918), traditionalist, political activist, and chief of the Nighthawk Keetoowah Society
• William Holland Thomas, Wil' Usdi (1805–1893), non-Native but adopted into tribe, founding Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, commanding officer of Thomas Legion of Cherokee Indians and Highlanders
• James Vann (ca. 1765–1809), Scottish-Cherokee, highly successful businessman and veteran of the Chickamauga Wars
• Nancy Ward, Nanye-hi (ca. 1736–1822/4), (Beloved Woman), diplomat
• Stand Watie, Degataga (1806–1871), signer of the Treaty of New Echota, last Confederate general to cease hostilities in the American Civil War as commanding officer of the First Indian Brigade of the Army of Trans-Mississippi