Great Floridian Program

The Great Floridian designation is presented annually in recognition of the outstanding achievements of men and women who have made significant contributions to the progress and welfare of this state.

Under Florida Statute 267.0731, an ad hoc committee, comprised of representatives of the Governor, each member of the Florida Cabinet, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Florida Secretary of State, meets to nominate citizens for designation as a Great Floridian. Following that, the Secretary of State selects no fewer than two nominees to be officially named a Great Floridian. Since the program began, 66 persons have been designated Great Floridians.

For more information FLHeritage@dos.myflorida.com.

Great Floridians

Name Year Description
Lt. General Albert Hazen Blanding 2012 A captain in the Florida National Guard, Blanding was promoted to general officer rank when World War I broke out. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for leading the attack on Germany's Hindenburg Line, and the state's Infantry Training Center in Starke was named in his honor. During World War II, Camp Blanding was the largest in the nation.
Coach Bobby Bowden 2012 Coach Bobby Bowden, the second winningest coach in major college football history, guided the Florida State University football team to more than 300 victories, two national championships, and 12 Atlantic Coast Conference titles, finishing in the top five in the country in 14 straight seasons. The National Bobby Bowden Award is presented annually by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to a student athlete for achievement on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.
Caroline Mays Brevard 2012 Born in 1860, Brevard was a skilled researcher and a prolific author. A graduate of Columbia University, she returned home to Tallahassee to teach high school and later at the Florida State College for Women. In 1904 she published The History of Florida, an early and respected resource for researchers and historians documenting the history of the state.
Governor Jeb Bush 2012 Florida's 43rd Governor, and the only Republican Governor in the state's history to earn two terms. Bush championed major reform of government programs in public education, led the effort to establish the Florida Forever program, supported the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, launched the Governor's Mentoring Initiative, led efforts to computerize state government, and oversaw disaster management during the 2004-2005 hurricane seasons when six hurricanes hit the state.
Bernardo de Gálvez 2012 A Spanish military leader and the general of Spanish forces in New Spain. Gálvez aided the Thirteen Colonies in their quest for independence and led the Spanish armies against Britain in the Revolutionary War, defeating the British at Pensacola and reconquering Florida for Spain, during the 1781 Battle of Pensacola.
Hamilton Disston 2012 Disston bought four million acres of land in South Florida in 1881 for $1 million. "Disston's Purchase," as it became known, primed the state's economy and paved the way for railroad building efforts of Henry Flagler and Henry Plant two decades later. The purchase saved the state financially and opened the southern part of the state for development.
Lt. General James M. Gavin 2012 A West Point graduate, in 1942, Gavin was given command of a parachute infantry regiment in the newly formed 82nd Airborne Division. Under his command, paratroopers were an integral part of the Normandy invasion on D-Day. At the request of President John F. Kennedy, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to France 1961 and 1962.
The Honorable Frederick Brennan Karl 2012 Between 1956 and 1978, Karl served in the Florida House of Representatives, Florida State Senate, and Florida Supreme Court. During World War II, he served in the European Theater of Operations, was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, and was later awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart medals.
Thomas Alva Edison 2011 The American inventor, scientist, and businessman came to Fort Myers in 1885 in search of the perfect material for the light bulb filament. For the next 50 years, Edison and his wife Mina spent winters and springs in Fort Myers.
Senator Bob Graham 2011 State legislator, two-term governor, and a three-term U.S. Senator, Graham served more than four decades in public service at the local, state and national levels.
George Washington Jenkins 2011 The founder of Publix, the largest employee-owned supermarket chain in the United States, Jenkins opened the first store in Winter Haven in 1930.
Senator Toni Jennings 2011 Florida’s first female Lieutenant Governor and two-term President of the Florida Senate, Jennings is also a successful businesswoman, and former fifth grade teacher.
Governor Harrison Reed 2011 Florida’s Republican governor during Reconstruction (1868-73), Governor Reed tried to enfranchise freed slaves and introduce social reforms in the face of much hostility, while stabilizing the state’s shattered financial and taxation system.
Nathaniel Pryor Reed 2011 Assistant Secretary of the Interior in the Nixon and Ford administrations (1971-77), environmentalist Nathaniel Reed also served as Special Assistant to Florida Governor Claude Kirk, (1967-1971), and for many years as a member of the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District.
Marshall E. "Doc" Rinker, Sr. 2011 Founder of Rinker Materials, the largest producer of ready-mix concrete and block in Florida, Rinker became a generous contributor to cultural and educational institutions in the state.
The Honorable Jim Smith 2011 In 1968 Jim Smith was elected Florida Attorney General. He also served as Florida's Secretary of State (twice), as Chief of Staff for the office of Governor, and as Chairman of the Florida State University Board of Trustees.
Governor Park Trammell 2011 Park Trammell was elected to the 1903 Florida House of Representatives, served as President of the 1905 Florida Senate, was elected Attorney General in 1908, and Governor in 1912. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1916 , where he serveduntil his death in Washington, D.C., in 1936.
Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte 2010 President Emeritus of The Florida State University (FSU), dean of the FSU College of Law. State Representative, and former President of the American Bar Association.
Paula Hawkins 2010 Florida's first female U.S. Senator, consumer rights advocate and champion of children and families.
Archbishop Joseph Patrick Hurley 2010 Preserver of The East Florida Papers, and civic leader of post -World War II St. Augustine.
Tony Jannus 2010 Pilot of the world's first scheduled commercial flight.
Dr. Sarah McKay 2010 Business, cultural and civic leader, and philanthropist.
Captain David McCampbell 2010 The U.S. Navy's all-time leading ace, and Medal of Honor recipient.
Eddie Rickenbacker 2010 America's leading World War I ace, Medal of Honor recipient, and pioneer of commercial aviation.
Pedro Menendez de Aviles 2009 Spanish admiral who founded St. Augustine and first Governor of Spanish Florida
Governor Bob Martinez 2009 Fortieth Governor of Florida (1987-1991)
Dr. Mae McMillan 2009 Educator and founder of Pine Crest School
Eugene Patterson 2009 Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, editor and CEO of the St. Petersburg Times
Charles W. Pierce 2009 19th century Southeast Florida settler and one of the legendary "Barefoot Mailmen"
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings 2009 Pulitzer Prize-winning author
May Mann Jennings 2008 Florida First Lady 1901-1905
Conservationist and Activist
Congressman E. Clay Shaw, Jr. 2008 U.S. Congressman – 1981-2007
Harry T. Moore 2007 Civil rights activist
Senator Connie Mack 2007 U.S. Senator
Richard Keith Call 2006 Third and Fifth Territorial Governor
Julia DeForest Sturtevant Tuttle 2006 "Mother of Miami"
William Pope DuVal 2005 Florida's First Territorial Governor
1822-1834
Al Hoffman 2005 Philanthropist
Cultural and Arts Sponsor
Civic Leader
Governor Spessard Holland 2004 Florida's 28th Governor
1941-1945
Governor Fuller Warren 2004 Florida's 30th Governor
1949-1953
Mary Call Darby Collins 2003 Lifelong Preservationist
Henry Morrison Flagler 2003 Industrialist and Developer
Zora Neale Hurston 2003 Writer and Folklorist
Henry Plant 2003 Industrialist and Developer
General James Alward Van Fleet 2002 Combat Commander, Military Leader, Four-Star General
Mary McLeod Bethune 2002 Educator and Activist
Dr. John Gorrie 2002 Physician, Scientist and Inventor
William Henry Getty (Bill) France 2002 NASCAR Founder and Motor Sports Promoter
Richard (Dick) Pope 2002 Cypress Gardens Founder
Florida Tourism Promoter and Publicist
Senator Mallory E. Horne 2002 Florida House Speaker and Senate President
Horacio Aguirre 2001 Publisher and International Journalist
Founding Editor, Diario Las Americas
Lawton M. Chiles 2001 Florida's 41st Governor, 1991-1998
U.S. Senator, 1971 - 1989
Watch the Great Floridians Film Series for Lawton Chiles on Youtube.
Reubin O'D. Askew 1998 Florida's 37th Governor
1971-1979
Watch the Great Floridians Film Series for Reubin O'D.Askew on Youtube.
William Patrick Foster 1998 Bandleader, Florida A&M "Marching 100"
Watch the Great Floridians Film Series for William P. Foster on Youtube.
Chesterfield Smith 1997 Advocate for Justice
Florida's First American Bar Association President
Watch the Great Floridians Film Series for Chesterfield Smith on Youtube.
E.T. York 1997 Florida University System Chancellor
University of Florida Interim President
IFAS Program Founder
Watch the Great Floridians Film Series for Dr. E.T. York on Youtube.
Cecil Farris Bryant 1994 Florida's 34th Governor
1961-1965
Watch the Great Floridians Film Series for Governor Bryant on Youtube.
George A. Smathers 1994 U.S. Senator
1951-1969
Watch the Great Floridians Film Series for George A. Smathers on Youtube.
Stephen C. O'Connell 1993 Florida Supreme Court Justice, 1966-1967
President, University of Florida, 1967 -1973
Watch the Great Floridians Film Series for Stephen C. O'Connell on Youtube.
B.K. Roberts 1990 Three Time Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court
Watch the Great Floridians Film Series for Justice B.K. Roberts on Youtube.
Chester Howell Ferguson 1988 Attorney, Business and Civic Leader
Watch the Great Floridians Film Series for Chester Howell Ferguson on Youtube.
Claude Denson Pepper 1988 U.S. Senator, 1936-1951
Congressional Representative, 1963-1989
Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1989
Watch the Great Floridians Film Series for Claude D. Pepper on Youtube.
Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. 1987 Civic Leader and Citrus Baron
Watch the Great Floridians Film Series for Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. on Youtube.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas 1987 Writer and Environmental Activist
Watch the Great Floridians Film Series for Majory Stoneman Douglas on Youtube.
Alonzo "Jake" Gaither 1984 Legendary Head Football Coach, Florida A&M University
Watch the Great Floridians Film Series for Alonzo "Jake" Gaither on Youtube.
Thomas LeRoy Collins 1981 Florida's 33rd Governor
1955-1961
Watch the Great Floridians Film Series for LeRoy Collins on Youtube.