READ Famous Lincoln University Alumni

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List Rules People on this list must have gone to Lincoln University and be of some renown.

List of famous alumni from Lincoln University, with photos when available. Prominent graduates from Lincoln University include celebrities, politicians, business people, athletes and more. This list of distinguished Lincoln University alumni is loosely ordered by relevance, so the most recognizable celebrities who attended Lincoln University are at the top of the list. This directory is not just composed of graduates of this school, as some of the famous people on this list didn't necessarily earn a degree from Lincoln University.

List features graduates like Langston Hughes, Thurgood Marshall.

This list answers the questions “Which famous people went to Lincoln University?” and “Which celebrities are Lincoln University alumni?”

1

Langston Hughes Poet, Novelist, Lyricist James Mercer Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form called jazz ...more

2

Thurgood Marshall Judge, Politician, Jurist Thurgood Marshall was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, serving from October 1967 until October 1991. Marshall was the Court's 96th justice and its first African-American ...more

3

Ann Walton Kroenke Ann Walton Kroenke is an heiress to the Wal-Mart fortune. Kroenke and her sister, Nancy Walton Laurie, inherited stock from her father, Bud Walton, who was brother and an early business partner ...more

4

Cab Calloway Musician, Bandleader, Singer-songwriter Cabell "Cab" Calloway III was a jazz singer and bandleader. He was strongly associated with the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York City, where he was a regular performer. Calloway was a ...more

5

Gil Scott-Heron Film Score Composer, Poet, Songwriter Gilbert "Gil" Scott-Heron was an American soul and jazz poet, musician, and author, known primarily for his work as a spoken word performer in the 1970s and '80s. His collaborative ...more

6

Joe Torry Rapper, Comedian, Entrepreneur Joe Torry is an American actor and comedian.

7

Lloyd L. Gaines Lloyd Lionel Gaines was the plaintiff in Gaines v. Canada, one of the most important court cases in the U.S. civil rights movement in the 1930s. After being denied admission to the University of ...more

8

Kwame Nkrumah Politician, Lecturer Kwame Nkrumah, P.C. was the leader of Ghana and its predecessor state, the Gold Coast, from 1951 to 1966. He became the first Prime Minister of the Gold Coast in 1951, and led it to independence ...more

9

Horace Mann Bond Historian, Teacher Horace Mann Bond was an American historian, college administrator, social science researcher, and the father of civil-rights leader Julian Bond. He earned a master's and doctorate from ...more

10

Archibald Grimké Journalist, Diplomat, Lawyer Archibald Henry Grimké was an American lawyer, intellectual, journalist, diplomat and community leader in the 19th and early 20th centuries. A graduate of freedmen's schools, Lincoln ...more

11

Lillian E. Fishburne Military Officer Lillian Elaine Fishburne was the first African-American female to hold the rank of Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. She was appointed to the rank of Rear Admiral by President of the ...more

12

Mervyn M. Dymally Politician Mervyn Malcolm Dymally was a California Democratic politician. He served in the California State Assembly and the California State Senate, as the 41st Lieutenant Governor of California, and in ...more

13

Thomas E. Miller Politician, Lawyer, Teacher Thomas Ezekiel Miller was an American educator, lawyer and politician. After being elected as a state legislator in South Carolina, he was one of only five African Americans elected to Congress ...more

14

Blaine Luetkemeyer Politician Blaine Luetkemeyer is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 3rd congressional district. He represented Missouri's 9th congressional district from 2009 to 2013, until that district was ...more

15

John Hicks Jazz Pianist, Pianist, Musician John Josephus Hicks, Jr. was an American jazz pianist and composer, active in the New York and international jazz scenes from the mid-1960s.

16

Bruce M. Wright Jurist Bruce Wright is an award winning author.

17

Robert L. Carter Judge Robert Lee Carter was an American civil rights activist and a United States District Judge.

18

Nnamdi Azikiwe Chief Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, P.C., usually referred to as Nnamdi Azikiwe, was one of the leading figures of modern Nigerian nationalism. He was head of state of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966. He ...more

19

Harold E. Pierce Harold E. Pierce Jr. Brigadier General was an internationally renowned American Dermatologist and Cosmetic Surgeon who practiced principally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for over 48 years. He ...more

20

Nancy Ellen Mills Actor Nancy Ellen Mills is an actor.

21

Melvin B. Tolson Poet, Politician, Journalist Melvin Beaunorus Tolson was an American Modernist poet, educator, columnist, and politician. His work concentrated on the experience of African Americans and includes several long historical ...more

22

Oliver Cox Writer Oliver Cromwell Cox was a Trinidadian-American sociologist noted for his early Marxist viewpoint on Fascism. He is a member of the Chicago school of sociology

23

Lincoln Kilpatrick Actor Lincoln Kilpatrick was an American film, television, and stage actor.

24

Carey Means Actor Carey Means is an American voice actor best known for playing Frylock in the Adult Swim show Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

25

Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. Politician Robert Nelson Cornelius Nix Sr. was the first African American to represent Pennsylvania in the House of Representatives. The Robert N.C. Nix Federal Building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is ...more

26

Herb Wesson Politician Herb J. Wesson, Jr. is an American politician in California. He currently serves as a Los Angeles City Councilmember, representing the 10th district, and also serves as the President of the ...more

27

Roscoe Lee Browne Theatre Director, Actor, Voice acting Roscoe Lee Browne was an American actor and director, known for his rich voice and dignified bearing.

28

Jim Tolbert American football player Jim Tolbert is a former professional American Football player who played defensive back for eleven years in the American Football League and in the NFL from 1966 through 1976. Before his ...more

29

John McDaniel American football player John McDaniel is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Lincoln University ...more

30

M. Carl Holman Writer, Playwright M. Carl Holman was an African-American author, poet and playwright. One of his noted works is The Baptizin‘. Holman grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated magna cum laude from Lincoln ...more

31

Zeke Moore American football player Zeke Moore is a former professional American Football player who played defensive back for the American Football League's Houston Oilers from 1967–1969, and for the NFL Oilers from 1970 through ...more

32

Larry Neal Writer Larry Neal or Lawerence Neal was a scholar of African-American theatre. He is well known for his contributions to the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

33

Frank Coleman Frank "Tick" Coleman was an educator and community volunteer. Born in Washington, D.C., Coleman grew up in its Point Breeze neighborhood. He was one of the first black Eagle Scouts. ...more

34

Lemar Parrish American football player Lemar R. Parrish is a former professional American football player who played defensive back in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins, and Buffalo Bills.

35

Leo Lewis American football player Leo Everett Lewis, Jr. was an American college football player (running back) for Lincoln University of Missouri in the 1950s, who continued his success with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the ...more

36

Abdulalim A. Shabazz Mathematician Abdulalim A. Shabazz is an African American Professor of Mathematics. He received the National Association of Mathematicians Distinguished Service Award for his years of mentoring and teaching ...more

37

Nathan Francis Mossell Nathan Francis Mossell was the first African-American graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1882. He did post-graduate training at hospitals in Philadelphia and ...more

38

Oliver Lake Oliver Lake is an American jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer and poet. He is known mainly on alto saxophone but also performs on soprano saxophone and flute. During the 1960s Lake worked with ...more

39

Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Civil Rights Advocate, Lobbyist Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. was a civil rights activist and was the chief lobbyist for the NAACP for nearly 30 years. He also served as a regional director for the organization. Mitchell, ...more

40

Robert Walter Johnson Physician Robert Walter Johnson was an American physician and founder of the American Tennis Association Junior Development Program for African-American youths, where he coached and fostered the careers ...more

41

J. Paul Reason Joseph Paul Reason was Commander in Chief, United States Atlantic Fleet from 1996 to 1999. Earlier in his career, as a commander, he was naval aide to the President of the United States, Jimmy ...more

42

Sheila Oliver Politician Sheila Y. Oliver is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2004, where she represents the 34th legislative district. She previously ...more

43

James L. Usry Basketball player, Politician James Leroy Usry was the first African-American mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

44

Monte Irvin Baseball player Monford Merrill "Monte" Irvin is a former left fielder and right fielder in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball who played with the Newark Eagles, New York Giants and Chicago ...more

45

Julius Hemphill Julius Arthur Hemphill was a jazz composer and saxophone player. He performed mainly on alto saxophone, less often on soprano and tenor saxophones and flute.

46

Oliver Nelson Film Score Composer, Composer Oliver Edward Nelson was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger, composer, and bandleader. He is perhaps best remembered for his groundbreaking 1961 Impulse! album The Blues and the ...more

47

Ebenezer Ako-Adjei Politician Dr. Ebenezer Ako-Adjei was a nationalist politician from Ghana. Ako-Adjei is considered to be one of the Big Six. The Big Six are arguably some of the most famous people in Ghana's fight for ...more

48

William Drew Robeson I William Drew Robeson I was the father of Paul Robeson and the minister of Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church in Princeton, New Jersey from 1880 to 1901. The Witherspoon Street Presbyterian ...more

49

Aaron Albert Mossell Aaron Albert Mossell II was the first African-American to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the father of Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander.

50

Francis James Grimké Francis James Grimké was an American Presbyterian minister in Washington, DC who was prominent in working for equal rights for African Americans. He was active in the Niagara Movement and ...more

1 Langston Hughes Poet, Novelist, Lyricist James Mercer Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form called jazz ...more

2 Thurgood Marshall Judge, Politician, Jurist Thurgood Marshall was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, serving from October 1967 until October 1991. Marshall was the Court's 96th justice and its first African-American ...more

3 Ann Walton Kroenke Ann Walton Kroenke is an heiress to the Wal-Mart fortune. Kroenke and her sister, Nancy Walton Laurie, inherited stock from her father, Bud Walton, who was brother and an early business partner ...more

4 Cab Calloway Musician, Bandleader, Singer-songwriter Cabell "Cab" Calloway III was a jazz singer and bandleader. He was strongly associated with the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York City, where he was a regular performer. Calloway was a ...more

5 Gil Scott-Heron Film Score Composer, Poet, Songwriter Gilbert "Gil" Scott-Heron was an American soul and jazz poet, musician, and author, known primarily for his work as a spoken word performer in the 1970s and '80s. His collaborative ...more

6 Joe Torry Rapper, Comedian, Entrepreneur Joe Torry is an American actor and comedian.

7 Lloyd L. Gaines Lloyd Lionel Gaines was the plaintiff in Gaines v. Canada, one of the most important court cases in the U.S. civil rights movement in the 1930s. After being denied admission to the University of ...more

8 Kwame Nkrumah Politician, Lecturer Kwame Nkrumah, P.C. was the leader of Ghana and its predecessor state, the Gold Coast, from 1951 to 1966. He became the first Prime Minister of the Gold Coast in 1951, and led it to independence ...more

9 Horace Mann Bond Historian, Teacher Horace Mann Bond was an American historian, college administrator, social science researcher, and the father of civil-rights leader Julian Bond. He earned a master's and doctorate from ...more

10 Archibald Grimké Journalist, Diplomat, Lawyer Archibald Henry Grimké was an American lawyer, intellectual, journalist, diplomat and community leader in the 19th and early 20th centuries. A graduate of freedmen's schools, Lincoln ...more

11 Lillian E. Fishburne Military Officer Lillian Elaine Fishburne was the first African-American female to hold the rank of Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. She was appointed to the rank of Rear Admiral by President of the ...more

12 Mervyn M. Dymally Politician Mervyn Malcolm Dymally was a California Democratic politician. He served in the California State Assembly and the California State Senate, as the 41st Lieutenant Governor of California, and in ...more

13 Thomas E. Miller Politician, Lawyer, Teacher Thomas Ezekiel Miller was an American educator, lawyer and politician. After being elected as a state legislator in South Carolina, he was one of only five African Americans elected to Congress ...more

14 Blaine Luetkemeyer Politician Blaine Luetkemeyer is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 3rd congressional district. He represented Missouri's 9th congressional district from 2009 to 2013, until that district was ...more

15 John Hicks Jazz Pianist, Pianist, Musician John Josephus Hicks, Jr. was an American jazz pianist and composer, active in the New York and international jazz scenes from the mid-1960s.

16 Bruce M. Wright Jurist Bruce Wright is an award winning author.

17 Robert L. Carter Judge Robert Lee Carter was an American civil rights activist and a United States District Judge.

18 Nnamdi Azikiwe Chief Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, P.C., usually referred to as Nnamdi Azikiwe, was one of the leading figures of modern Nigerian nationalism. He was head of state of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966. He ...more

19 Harold E. Pierce Harold E. Pierce Jr. Brigadier General was an internationally renowned American Dermatologist and Cosmetic Surgeon who practiced principally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for over 48 years. He ...more

20 Nancy Ellen Mills Actor Nancy Ellen Mills is an actor.

21 Melvin B. Tolson Poet, Politician, Journalist Melvin Beaunorus Tolson was an American Modernist poet, educator, columnist, and politician. His work concentrated on the experience of African Americans and includes several long historical ...more

22 Oliver Cox Writer Oliver Cromwell Cox was a Trinidadian-American sociologist noted for his early Marxist viewpoint on Fascism. He is a member of the Chicago school of sociology

23 Lincoln Kilpatrick Actor Lincoln Kilpatrick was an American film, television, and stage actor.

24 Carey Means Actor Carey Means is an American voice actor best known for playing Frylock in the Adult Swim show Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

25 Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. Politician Robert Nelson Cornelius Nix Sr. was the first African American to represent Pennsylvania in the House of Representatives. The Robert N.C. Nix Federal Building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is ...more

26 Herb Wesson Politician Herb J. Wesson, Jr. is an American politician in California. He currently serves as a Los Angeles City Councilmember, representing the 10th district, and also serves as the President of the ...more

27 Roscoe Lee Browne Theatre Director, Actor, Voice acting Roscoe Lee Browne was an American actor and director, known for his rich voice and dignified bearing.

28 Jim Tolbert American football player Jim Tolbert is a former professional American Football player who played defensive back for eleven years in the American Football League and in the NFL from 1966 through 1976. Before his ...more

29 John McDaniel American football player John McDaniel is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Lincoln University ...more

30 M. Carl Holman Writer, Playwright M. Carl Holman was an African-American author, poet and playwright. One of his noted works is The Baptizin‘. Holman grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated magna cum laude from Lincoln ...more

31 Zeke Moore American football player Zeke Moore is a former professional American Football player who played defensive back for the American Football League's Houston Oilers from 1967–1969, and for the NFL Oilers from 1970 through ...more

32 Larry Neal Writer Larry Neal or Lawerence Neal was a scholar of African-American theatre. He is well known for his contributions to the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

33 Frank Coleman Frank "Tick" Coleman was an educator and community volunteer. Born in Washington, D.C., Coleman grew up in its Point Breeze neighborhood. He was one of the first black Eagle Scouts. ...more

34 Lemar Parrish American football player Lemar R. Parrish is a former professional American football player who played defensive back in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins, and Buffalo Bills.

35 Leo Lewis American football player Leo Everett Lewis, Jr. was an American college football player (running back) for Lincoln University of Missouri in the 1950s, who continued his success with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the ...more

36 Abdulalim A. Shabazz Mathematician Abdulalim A. Shabazz is an African American Professor of Mathematics. He received the National Association of Mathematicians Distinguished Service Award for his years of mentoring and teaching ...more

37 Nathan Francis Mossell Nathan Francis Mossell was the first African-American graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1882. He did post-graduate training at hospitals in Philadelphia and ...more

38 Oliver Lake Oliver Lake is an American jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer and poet. He is known mainly on alto saxophone but also performs on soprano saxophone and flute. During the 1960s Lake worked with ...more

39 Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Civil Rights Advocate, Lobbyist Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. was a civil rights activist and was the chief lobbyist for the NAACP for nearly 30 years. He also served as a regional director for the organization. Mitchell, ...more

40 Robert Walter Johnson Physician Robert Walter Johnson was an American physician and founder of the American Tennis Association Junior Development Program for African-American youths, where he coached and fostered the careers ...more

41 J. Paul Reason Joseph Paul Reason was Commander in Chief, United States Atlantic Fleet from 1996 to 1999. Earlier in his career, as a commander, he was naval aide to the President of the United States, Jimmy ...more

42 Sheila Oliver Politician Sheila Y. Oliver is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2004, where she represents the 34th legislative district. She previously ...more

43 James L. Usry Basketball player, Politician James Leroy Usry was the first African-American mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

44 Monte Irvin Baseball player Monford Merrill "Monte" Irvin is a former left fielder and right fielder in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball who played with the Newark Eagles, New York Giants and Chicago ...more

45 Julius Hemphill Julius Arthur Hemphill was a jazz composer and saxophone player. He performed mainly on alto saxophone, less often on soprano and tenor saxophones and flute.

46 Oliver Nelson Film Score Composer, Composer Oliver Edward Nelson was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger, composer, and bandleader. He is perhaps best remembered for his groundbreaking 1961 Impulse! album The Blues and the ...more

47 Ebenezer Ako-Adjei Politician Dr. Ebenezer Ako-Adjei was a nationalist politician from Ghana. Ako-Adjei is considered to be one of the Big Six. The Big Six are arguably some of the most famous people in Ghana's fight for ...more

48 William Drew Robeson I William Drew Robeson I was the father of Paul Robeson and the minister of Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church in Princeton, New Jersey from 1880 to 1901. The Witherspoon Street Presbyterian ...more

49 Aaron Albert Mossell Aaron Albert Mossell II was the first African-American to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the father of Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander.

50 Francis James Grimké Francis James Grimké was an American Presbyterian minister in Washington, DC who was prominent in working for equal rights for African Americans. He was active in the Niagara Movement and ...more

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