Notable burials at Hollywood Cemetery
Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, is the confirmed burial place of several U.S. Presidents, Supreme Court justices, military leaders, and prominent civilians. This evergreen profile summarizes who is buried here, what is verified, and how visitors can confirm individual interments. Founded in 1847, the cemetery is known for its rolling hills, Confederate sections, and meticulously maintained grounds. Below are high-information summaries of the most frequently asked-about figures, with clear sourcing cues and status notes for each burial claim.
Presidents and First Ladies
James Monroe
The fifth President of the United States, James Monroe, is interred at Hollywood Cemetery. His burial location is marked by a prominent obelisk and maintained grave site in the Presidents Circle section. Monroe died in New York City in 1831 and was reinterred here in 1858. His burial is well documented in cemetery records, Richmond deed transfers, and contemporary newspaper accounts. Visiting hours align with the cemetery’s public schedule, and grave markers are clearly inscribed.
- Confirmation method: cemetery office records, grave marker transcription, published burial logs.
John Tyler
John Tyler, the tenth President, is buried at Hollywood Cemetery following his death in 1862. A dedicated plot near the Presidents Circle contains Tyler and several family members. Marker details, plot numbers, and interment dates are publicly available through the Hollywood Cemetery Foundation. Historical context includes his Confederate-affiliated presidency and later burial reconciliation. Descendants have maintained plot care, and documentation is preserved in archival collections.
- Confirmation method: burial registry, plot deed records, family histories.
James K. Polk
Contrary to occasional claims, James K. Polk is not buried at Hollywood Cemetery. His final resting place is the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. This clarification corrects a persistent misconception. Misinformation sometimes arises because Polk died in Nashville during the summer of 1849, and his remains were never intended for reinterment elsewhere. Accurate burial lists distinguish clearly between presidential locations, preventing confusion.
- Clarification: primary sources confirm interment at Tennessee State Capitol, not Hollywood Cemetery.
Judiciary and Government Figures
John Marshall Harlan
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Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan, known for his dissent in Plessy v. Ferguson, is buried at Hollywood Cemetery. His tenure on the Court and distinctive judicial philosophy are noted alongside his burial details. Interment followed his death in 1911, with family plot arrangements documented in cemetery deed books. Grave maintenance is supported by Court-related commemorative events and historical societies.
- Confirmation method: cemetery interment records, Supreme Court biographies, descendant confirmations.
Military Leaders and Confederate Figures
J.E.B. Stuart
Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart rests at Hollywood Cemetery after his death in 1864. His grave is a frequently visited military history site, marked by a distinctive statue and clear plot identification. Burial records include military service documentation and funeral procession accounts from the era. Conservation efforts preserve the marker and surrounding landscape.
- Confirmation method: Confederate military archives, cemetery burial logs, photographic evidence of marker.
Judah P. Benjamin
Confederate statesman Judah P. Benjamin is also buried in Hollywood Cemetery. His gravesite reflects his prominent role in Confederate government and legal affairs. Interment records, property transfers, and historical society notes corroborate the location. Descendant care and preservation initiatives help maintain the site.
- Confirmation method: probate records, historical society archives, burial inventories.
Other Notable Civilians and Artists
Ellen Glasgow
Author Ellen Glasgow, winner of the 1942 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, is buried at Hollywood Cemetery. Her literary contributions and Richmond civic engagement are noted alongside burial details. Cemetery documentation links her plot to family members and confirms maintenance by literary institutions.
- Confirmation method: literary society records, cemetery office confirmation, prize archives.
John Wickham
Attorney John Wickham, known for defending Aaron Burr in trial, rests at Hollywood Cemetery. His burial is supported by historical legal records and Richmond land transfers. Grave markers and deed references provide reliable confirmation. Descendant involvement ensures ongoing site preservation.
- Confirmation method: legal archives, deed records, historical biographies.
How to verify an individual burial
To confirm who is buried in Hollywood Cemetery, follow a structured verification process. Start with the official Hollywood Cemetery burial list, maintained by the cemetery office and often available on their website. Cross-reference with family records, cemetery deed books, and reputable historical sources. When public photos or grave markers exist, they can supplement archival data. For disputed claims, rely on primary documents such as burial permits, interment logs, and probate records rather than secondary summaries.
Visitor guidance and preservation notes
Hollywood Cemetery welcomes respectful visitors and offers guided tours that highlight notable interments. Maps identify Presidents Circle, Confederate sections, and literary plots. Because headstones and monuments are historical features, handling and photography should follow site policies. Seasonal maintenance, tree management, and conservation programs help preserve the site for research and public enjoyment. Contact the cemetery office in advance for research appointments and access to archival materials.
Quick reference: selected notable interments at a glance
| Name | Role / Notability | Burial status at Hollywood Cemetery | Verification source |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Monroe | 5th U.S. President | Confirmed buried | Cemetery records, grave marker, reinterment log 1858 |
| John Tyler | 10th U.S. President | Confirmed buried | Burial registry, plot deed, family documentation |
| J.E.B. Stuart | Confederate General | Confirmed buried | Military archives, cemetery burial log |
| Judah P. Benjamin | Confederate statesman | Confirmed buried | Probate records, historical society archives |
| Ellen Glasgow | Pulitzer Prize-winning author | Confirmed buried | Prize archives, cemetery office confirmation |
| John Marshall Harlan | U.S. Supreme Court Justice | Confirmed buried | Court biographies, cemetery interment records |
| James K. Polk | 11th U.S. President | Not buried here | State Capitol burial record, historical clarification |
Common questions and clarifications
Visitors and researchers often ask whether famous celebrities or entertainment figures are buried at Hollywood Cemetery. The verified list is focused on Presidents, jurists, military officers, and civic figures. Many purported celebrity burials at Hollywood Cemetery are myths or confusion with other cemeteries. Rumor control is supported by primary documents and clear burial inventories. When uncertain, consult the cemetery office or an independent archival specialist rather than unverified online lists.
Research and further reading
For deeper verification, consult the Hollywood Cemetery Foundation archives, Richmond city deeds, and authoritative biographies of each figure. Historical societies, university libraries, and cemetery-led research programs provide peer-reviewed documentation. Prefer primary sources—burial permits, interment logs, and probate records—over summary articles. Responsible historical engagement benefits from cross-checking claims against institutional records and reputable scholarly work.
Tags: burials, cemeteries, history, Richmond VA, verification