Biographies

Plato has been hailed as one of the most dazzling writers in the Western literary tradition and one of the most influential authors in the history of philosophy. In ancient Athens, Plato established the Academy, the first school of higher education in the Western world.

Stock manipulator, philanderer, swindler, and all-round louse.

George Herbert practiced a style of metaphysical poetry that showcased his intellect and deep emotion, as well as his dedication to his religion, his faith, and his Creator.

Johannes Kepler was a 17th century German astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer best known for his three laws of planetary motion. His work laid the foundation for Isaac Newton’s theory of universal gravitation. Kepler was one of the key figures in the 17th century’s scientific revolution.

The man could spin convincing stories; some of them might even have been true.

This article covers the life of Alexander the Great, the legendary ancient King of Macedon who in a decade long campaign that is studied even today conquered the large Persian Empire, the premiere superpower of the age.

William Cullen Bryant’s most noted poem is "Thanatopsis," a musing that focuses on death. Most of Bryant’s other major works focus on nature, and many of them result in directing the mind and heart to nature’s Creator.

A crusading activist who fought for the underdogs of Victorian society.

Early American poet Philip Freneau has been designated as the "Father of American Poetry" and the "Poet of the Revolution." He was the first notable early American poet to have been born in the American homeland.

Dive into the captivating life and achievements of General John “Black Jack” Pershing before World War I. Discover his service as a soldier in the Spanish-American War and the Philippines, and his hunt into Mexico for Pancho Villa.

How did a street urchin from London’s East End slums become a general in the Chinese revolutionary army?

A freshly minted British eccentric embarked on reckless adventures in Canada's frozen North.

Connected to some of America's most prominent families, Kiki Preston led a scandal- and tragedy-plagued life.

Queen Fabiola of the Belgians was a Spanish aristocrat. She worked as a nurse and volunteered in Madrid. She wrote a children's book before marrying Baudouin, King of the Belgians in December 1960.

Michel Lotito became famous for consuming everything from metal to glass to an entire airplane. He even earned a place in Guinness World Records.

From her early childhood, Teresa de Cepeda remained a deeply spiritual soul. She gave generously to others who were less fortunate than she. Her life-long activity was dedicated to spending much time in meditation and prayer.

Otherwise known as Simon Fraser, the clan leader was a cunning turncoat who played a role in the Jacobite Rebellions of the 18th century.

Bodhidharma is considered responsible for establishing Zen Buddhism in China. There is no reliable historical evidence about his birth and life. But he is commonly thought to have been a Pallava prince born in South India.

Although Lawrence Ferlinghetti never considered himself a Beat poet, he is almost always labeled such by those who write about him. He possessed some of the Beat sensibilities but remained much more traditional in many ways.

A look at the greatest failure of Saint Columba's life, even though he overcame it to be one of the most influential Christians in history.

King Felipe IV of Spain and his wives Elisabeth of France and Maria Anna of Austria struggled to have healthy and long-lived children to take the Spanish throne. Was bad luck, intermarriage between Habsburg relations, or Felipe's plethora of mistresses to blame?

Wherever he looked Comstock saw filth and was determined to stamp it out.

How a mother killed her child rather than see her become a slave.

Prince Joachim of Prussia was Kaiser Wilhelm II's youngest son. He fought for Germany during the First World War and he was considered as a possible ruler of Ireland and Georgia in 1916 and 1917 respectively. He died aged 29 but not because of what his brother called "a fit of excessive dementia."

More than 250 years ago, she cleverly used image manipulation to become famous for being famous.

Sir Edmund Backhouse was the go-to man for intelligence on China at the start of the 20th century although most of his information was fake.

In 1531 King Henry VIII ordered the execution of Richard Roose, a cook working for John Fisher, the Bishop of Rochester. An incident of poisoning killed two people. Fisher was an enemy of Henry's. Did he or his love Anne Boleyn arrange the poisoning? Henry hastily changed the law to boil Roose. Why?

In 1882 Milan Obrenovic I was proclaimed the first king of Serbia. The 1800s Obrenovics and their rivals the Karadordevics fought to rule. Unhappily married Milan was King Alexander I's father—he was the last Obrenovic. Milan's spending, policies and pro-Austrian outlook led to his abdication.

An 18th century military man, Roger Aytoun got his nickname because he loved bare-knuckle fighting.

During the sixth century B.C., a man named Pythagoras started a cult with hundreds of followers who were sworn to secrecy, lived an ascetic lifestyle, and studied mathematics, music, and astronomy. He has become one of the most mysterious and influential figures in Greek intellectual history.

Herod the Great was a Roman-appointed king of ancient Judea. He was a great builder of public works, including many fortresses, aqueducts, theaters, ports, and other public buildings. He is mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible as a tyrant who reigned during the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

The poetry of E. E. Cummings holds a special place in the literary world. His unique style remains a recognizable and delightful experience for poetry readers. Although he remained quite traditional in his theme and subject choices, his creations on the page virtually always stun and surprise.

Phillis Wheatley's talent was questioned but then authenticated during her lifetime, and she is now hailed by all but the most cynical as one of America's finest poetic voices.

The Canadian man with many wives and his fundamentalist Mormon cult.

Razia Sultana was the first and the last woman Sultan of India who ruled from 1236 to 1240. The short 4-year-old reign of Razia is regarded as a significant milestone in the subcontinent’s history towards overcoming the patriarchal mindset of medieval India.

Have you ever wondered about the woman adorning the 5000 yen notes in Japan? Ichiyo Higuchi is considered the most influential writer of the Meiji era.

A writer of prodigious quantities of novels and the librettos for operettas, he was also fond of practical jokes.

Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor was powerful in 1500s Europe. His faith puzzled his subjects. He was a humanist, he was the leader of the traditionally Catholic Holy Roman Empire and he toyed with Lutheranism. Unlike the Tudors and his Habsburg relations, he was known for his religious tolerance.

The writer and poet Alexander Pushkin is well known to those familiar with Russian literature, just as is Nikolai Gogol. From this article, you will learn about an outstanding Soviet biologist Alexander Danilevsky. He was the great-great-grandson of Pushkin and the great-nephew of Gogol.

Charmian London Kittredge was an American writer, who married Jack London in 1905

Paul Ilyinsky was the mayor of Palm Beach, Florida, for 3 terms in the 1990s. He was of Romanov descent. His father was Grand Duke Dmitri, involved in Rasputin's murder. Paul had several European royal cousins, including King Charles III. He's the only Romanov in history to hold public office.

Robert the Bruce, Robert I, King of Scots' status as a legendary Scottish hero was cemented after a great victory over the English at the Battle of Bannockburn in June 1314. Against the odds, Scotland finally gained its longed-for independence. Robert the Bruce is an ancestor of King Charles III.

Behind every great man stands an equally great lady. This is the second in a series of articles recording the stories of England's queens going back a thousand years.

In a crowded field of English eccentrics, Jack Mytton stands head and shoulders below the rest.

Alexandra David-Néel was a Belgian–French explorer, Buddhist, anarchist, opera singer, and writer. She is most known for her 1924 clandestine visit to Tibet when it was forbidden to foreigners.

King Harthacnut of England and Denmark was the son of King Cnut—Canute the Great. He ruled Denmark for more years than England because his half-brother Harold Harefoot seized his throne. King Harthacnut was as unpopular in England as Cnut had been successful. He died drunk and young at a wedding.

Marianne North was an English biologist and botanical artist known for her plant and landscape paintings, extensive foreign travels, and plant discoveries. She was one of the pioneering female explorers and naturalists of her time. We'll learn a bit more about this amazing woman in this article.

Behind every great man stands an equally great lady. Learn about Matilda of Flanders, England's first queen.

Archduke Johann Salvator of Austria renounced his royal life in 1889. He married a dancer, purchased a captaincy and a ship he named the Santa Margareta, and they set sail for South America. The following year, they drowned. Or did they? Were Johann Salvator and Alexander Hugo Kohler the same man?

Bold Regency courtesan Harriette Wilson captivated royal, aristocratic and political men. They flocked around her and pleaded to be introduced. When she reached the end of her career, she wrote her memoirs and blackmailed her past conquests. A suitable payment from them preserved their anonymity.