Backus

For other uses, see Backus (disambiguation).

Backus is an English surname, a variant of Backhouse.^[1] The surname derives from Middle English bak(e)hous, meaning bakehouse.^[2]

People

Notable people with the surname include:

• A. E. Backus (1909–1990), American artist
• Azel Backus (1765–1816), first President of Hamilton College in New York
• Billy Backus (born 1943), former world boxing champion
• Catherine Backus (1863–1955), American sculptor
• Edward Burdette Backus (1888–1955), American Unitarian minister and humanist
• Edward Wellington Backus (1861–1934), American timber baron
• Frederick F. Backus (1794–1858), American physician and member of the New York State Senate
• George Edward Backus (born 1930), American geophysicist
• Gus Backus (1937–2019), American singer
• Henny Backus (1911–2004), Broadway showgirl and wife of Jim Backus
• Henry T. Backus (1809–1877), American politician, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan and judge in Arizona Territory
• Isaac Backus (1724–1806), American Baptist preacher and politician
• Jan Backus (20th century), American politician
• Jeff Backus (born 1977), American professional football player
• Jim Backus (1913–1989), American actor
• John Backus (1924–2007), American computer scientist
• Samuel W. Backus, 19th-century American politician from California
• Sharron Backus (born 1946), American former softball player and coach
• Shea Backus (born 1975), American politician
• Standish Backus (1910–1989), American military artist
• Winston Backus (1920–2020), Canadian politician

See also

• Backusella, a genus of fungi named after the surname Backus, in honour of Professor M. P. Backus