| Famous
Faces of Clarksburg
Many of Clarksburg’s native sons and daughters have gained
fame and renown outside their hometown. Some that come to mind
are Stonewall Jackson, opera singer Phyllis Curtin, goverment
official Cyrus Vance, and former US Senator Jennings Randolph.
Phyllis Curtin
Born December 3, 1921
in Clarksburg and already a star of the New York City Opera when
she made her Metropolitian Opera debut in 1961, soprano Phyllis
Curtin is remembered both for her creation of new parts (the title
role of Carlisle Floyd's Susannah, for example) and for her dedication
to song recitals. Her many students from Yale and Boston Universities
perpetuate her influence on the world of singing. She retired
from opera singing in 1984.
Cyrus Vance
Born 1917 in
Clarksburg, public official and lawyer who served under presidents
Kennedy and Johnson as Secretary of the Army (1961-62), Deputy
Secretary of Defense (1964-67), and U.S. negotiator to the Paris
Peace Conference on the Vietnam War (1968-69). He resigned his
post as President Carter’s Secretary of State in protest
of the President’s attempt to rescue the American hostages
in Iran. Vance then returned to his law career in the public sector
but was frequently called upon to negotiate regional conflicts
in such hot spots as South Africa, Croatia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Mr. Vance passed away in New York City January 12, 2002 at the
age of 84.
Jennings Randolph
Former U.S. Senator J. Randolph was born in 1902 in Salem. He
authored the 26th amendment to the constitution giving 18 year
olds the right to vote. His family home that was built in 1900
was bought and moved onto the campus of Salem International University
in 1985. The home is filled with memorabilia from the Senator’s
days in Washington. Mr. Randolph passed away on May 8, 1998 at
the age of 96.
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