Most Distinguished Mississippian of All Time

[lamarrebel]

Which Mississippian in history has had the greatest impact of all time on the world around us? As always, let's have a lively debate, so please explain, especially if the vote is "other".

[jmb]

I voted for Elvis. I would not consider him "the most distinguished" but of all those listed, I think he has had "the greatest impact of all time on the world around us." He forever changed the music world, was color blind as to race, and is one of the few people known world-wide by only his first name.

[lamarrebel]

Absolutely, musically there will never be another performer like Elvis. He was, and will always, be the King. Though his movies were not the most shining aspect of his career, I actually watched "Girl Happy" (co-starring Mississippian and former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley) to get my seven year old to sleep last night. From the brashness to the 50s, to the renewed fire of the '68 Comeback Special to the sold out concerts of the 70s, Elvis was an American original.

[Buggy]

No Brett Farve? Jimmy Buffet? Jim Henson? James Earl Jones? Tennessee Williams? John Grisham (not born in MS but close enough)?

Eh, I'd probably say Elvis.

[wilebill]

No doubt Elvis had a profound impact on the musical world. However, he went out like a bum - dead in the crapper from a drug overdose. If the vote were for "greatest musical talent" he'd probably win. But "most distinguished Missippian" - I don't think his name even belongs there.

[wilebill]

I had to vote for Jeff Davis. Charlie Reese had an opinion article in today's C-L which gave a little more insight into his life and some of his predictions about government.

[Sir Mickey Mouse]

I voted for Ms. Welty because I read the question above the poll before I read the question in the posting. That would have made a difference for me. I believe Ms. Welty was a very distinguished person and a great author... but, after reading the question in the first posting, I agree that my answer would have been Elvis as not the most distinguished, but the most influential. As far as most distinguised, Pat Fordice would be a great candidate in my opinion, too.

[itzme]

This is a tough one for me . . . B. B., Elvis, and Oprah have had such an impact in the entertainment world and their success has brought great pride to our state. Tennessee Williams, Faulkner, Grisham and Welty have doen the same in litature.
This is a fun thought to have . . . makes me proud! LOL.

I go with Jefferson Davis . . he made history happen!

[jmb]

For most distinguished, I would have voted for Eudora Welty.

[wilebill]

Yeah, you'd think a lawyer would be more careful about wording. ;)

My comments and vote were based on the words "most distinguished". Biggest impact and distinguished are not necessarily the same thing.

[Lylabean]

This is a tough one...I voted other but torn between John Stennis and Jim Henson.

John Stennis did a lot of great work on behalf of Mississippi (and an MSU grad) and Jim Henson gave us the Muppets.

It's amazing googling famous Mississippians who turns up on the list like Robert Pittman who founded MTV.

Lynn