Alger (name)

Alger is both a given name and a surname. It originates from the Anglo-Saxon name Ælfgar, meaning “elf spear.” Notable people with the name include:

• Alger of Liège (1055–1131), French Roman Catholic priest
• Alger "Texas" Alexander (1900–1954), American blues singer
• Alger Hiss (1904–1996), American diplomat and alleged Soviet spy
• Alger H. Wood (1891-1970), American football and basketball coach
• Alpheus B. Alger (1854-1895), Massachusetts State Senator
• Bruce Alger (1918-2015), American Congressman from Texas
• Cyrus Alger (1781-1865), American metallurgist and arms manufacturer
• Fanny Alger (1816-1889), the first plural wife of Joseph Smith, Jr. or his partner in a sexual indiscretion
• Francis Alger (1807-1863), American mineralogist
• Frederick M. Alger Jr. (1907-1967), American politician and diplomat
• Harry Alger (1924-2010), Canadian politician
• Horatio Alger (1832–1899), American author
• Ian Alger (1926–2009), innovative psychotherapist

• James Alger (born 1933), American nature writer
• John Goldworth Alger (1836–1907), English journalist and author
• Jonathan R. Alger, President of James Madison University
• Mary Donlon Alger (1893-1977), American lawyer, politician and first woman appointed to a federal judgeship in New York
• Pat Alger (born 1947), American country music songwriter, singer and guitarist
• Percival Alger (born 1964), Filipino Olympic fencer
• Philip Rounsevile Alger (1859-1912), American naval officer
• Paul Alger (born 1943), German football player
• Peter Alger (born 1952), New Zealander potter
• Ross Alger (1920-1992), Canadian politician
• Royce Alger (born 1965), American wrestler and mixed martial artist
• Russell A. Alger (1836–1907), U.S. Senator from and Governor of Michigan and U.S. Secretary of War
• Stephen Alger (born 1958), British tennis player
• Kristy Alger (born 1982), Australian activist, published author and avant-garde theorist