University Of Virginia Notable Alumni

American writer Edgar Allan Poe is regarded as the architect of modern short story, the inventor of the detective-fiction genre and a major contributor towards science fiction genre. The influential writer is recognised for his tales of mystery and macabre. His notable works include The Raven (poem), The Tell-Tale Heart and The Fall of the House of Usher (short stories).

From presidential cabin of Princeton University to presidential office of the White House, Woodrow Wilson ushered a series of progressive reforms that changed the American politics forever. The 28th President of USA, Woodrow Wilson introduced several ground-breaking policies including the Federal Reserve Act. He played a key role in founding the first intergovernmental organisation—the League of Nations—for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Robert F Kennedy, the brother of the 35th US president John F Kennedy, was a politician who served as US Attorney General and as US Senator. He was known as a civil rights and human rights activist and fought against organised crime and the Mafia. He opposed America’s involvement in the Vietnam War. He was assassinated by a 24-year-old Palestinian.

Vince Gilligan is an American writer, director, and producer. He is credited with creating popular TV series, such as Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. One of the most decorated TV personalities in the USA, Gilligan has won six Writers Guild of America Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Producers Guild of America Awards among many other prestigious awards.

Emily Swallow is an American actress known for portraying prominent roles in popular TV series, such as The Mentalist and Supernatural. After starting her career in Broadway, Emily Swallow has managed to successfully establish herself in the American TV industry.

Regarded as “America’s Sweetheart”, Katherine Couric has been a familiar face on top US television networks for decades. The journalist and presenter had a long stint with NBC News before she switched over to CBS News and then to ABC News. She is also known for co-hosting programmes on Today. She co-founded multimedia news and production company Katie Couric Media.

American naval officer Richard E. Byrd is remembered for his pioneering expeditions to Antarctica, using airplanes. Though he was awarded a US Congressional Medal of Honor for completing the first flight over the North Pole, it was later revealed that he had returned when he was 150 miles away from the destination.

Nobel Prize-winning Australian physician Barry Marshall, along with his colleague Robin Warren, proved that gastric ulcers were caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori and not by spicy food and other causes as previously believed. Their research made it possible to cure such ulcers by treating the bacteria with antibiotics.

Sean Patrick Thomas is an American actor best known for playing Derek Reynolds in the teen dance film, Save the Last Dance. Also known for his work in TV, Thomas has played important roles in series like The District and Ringer.

Dylan Walsh is an American actor best known for playing Dr. Sean McNamara in the popular serial medical drama TV series, Nip/Tuck. He has also played important roles in TV films, such as When We Were Young, Divided by Hate, and More Than Meets the Eye: The Joan Brock Story.

A well-known environmental attorney and an activist, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has tirelessly worked for prosecuting governments and companies responsible for polluting environment and waterbodies like the Long Island Sound and Hudson River. Moreover, he has written books and articles on issues affecting the environment. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s work have won him prestigious awards and inspired numerous films and documentaries. 

The brother of President John F. Kennedy, Ted Kennedy played an important role in American politics during his term as a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, a position which he served for almost 47 years. He was the fourth-longest-continuously-serving senator in the history of the United States. He was regarded as a major spokesman for American progressivism.

Marvin Bush is known as the son of former US president George H.W. Bush and the brother of another former president, George W. Bush. He has also been a businessman in his own right, heading SECURACOM and HCC Insurance Holdings, and appeared in the documentary Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story.

British-American economist and Nobel laureate Ronald Coase was a significant figure of new institutional economics. As a child, he attended a school for the disabled due to weakness in his legs. The Chicago Law School professor is remembered for his iconic essays such as The Nature of the Firm.