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Before the time of color photography, it was hard to distinguish who had red hair and who didn’t. Over the years, historians have studied notable people and found that quite a few were, in fact, redheads. Here are a few revolutionary people with red hair that you may not be familiar with:
1. George Washington
The first president of the United States is often portrayed with white hair, as seen in his presidential portrait. However, we must remember that wigs and powdered hair were popular customs of the time, giving everyone a white-haired appearance. Mount Vernon, Washington’s Virginia estate, has a lock of the president’s hair from 1797 and a portrait painted by Ralph Ludwig Boyer portraying Washington with red hair.
2. Thomas Jefferson
The third president, Thomas Jefferson, was also a redhead. Like Washington, Jefferson took part in wigs and hair powdering, but according to a few records and portraits, his hair was red. There is also a lock of what is considered Jefferson’s hair in the Library of Congress.
3. Erik the Red
This Norse Viking explorer got his nickname from his fiery locks and maybe a fiery temper. Erik the Red is famous for being the first Viking to discover Greenland and name the land. He is the father of Leif Erikson, the first Viking to discover North America.
4. King Henry VIII + Queen Elizabeth I
Better known for his six wives than his red hair, King Henry VIII was a redhead! He also went on to have a redheaded daughter with his second wife, Anne Boleyn. This daughter was Queen Elizabeth I.
5. Winston Churchill
We have many photos of the former Prime Minister, but almost all show him as an older man with little to no hair. As a child, Churchill had bright red hair, and his classmates nicknamed him “copper knob” at school.
6. Malcolm X
Muslim minister and human rights activist Malcolm X earned the nickname “Detroit Red” due to his hometown and hair color. He famously disliked the reddish hue of his hair.
7. Vincent Van Gogh
From the many self-portraits of the famous artist, we can tell that he had red hair and a red beard. To make the color pop, Van Gogh often sets his red hair against a green or blue background.
Other people throughout history who had red hair
Red hair has been a notable trait throughout history, often associated with various cultural and historical figures. Let’s take a look at some more notable people known for their red hair:
- Julius Caesar: The Roman general and statesman was described in some historical accounts as having reddish hair.
- Mark Twain: The American author, known for his wit and storytelling, had a distinctive head of red hair.
- Carrot Top: The comedian and actor is famous for his vibrant red curly hair.
- Reba McEntire: The country music star is known for her signature red locks.
- Lucille Ball: The legendary actress and comedian, best known for “I Love Lucy,” had red hair that became part of her iconic image.
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The late Supreme Court Justice was known to have red highlights in her hair, contributing to her distinctive look.
- Ed Sheeran: The British singer-songwriter is well-known for his fiery red hair, which has become part of his brand.
These individuals highlight how red hair has appeared in various cultures and periods, often leaving a memorable mark in their fields.
Rock it like a Redhead!
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