Biographies Story Briefs

We may know about a famous person's accomplishments, but what do we know about THEM? What is the human-interest story in THEIR lives? This biography collection features the stories behind the lives of some famous (and not-so-famous) individuals.

As John Carlin researched Mandela's background (for his book "Playing the Enemy"), he interviewed Chief Joyi (seen in the center of this picture).

In his autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom," Nelson Mandela describes this picture as: "Tense Times, 1956."

After Mandela returned from a trip abroad, in 1962, he went into hiding.

After graduation, Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo formed the only South African law firm which was owned and operated by blacks.

Spared the death penalty for a treason conviction, Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment during June of 1964.

Even while he was imprisoned in an impossibly small cell on Robben Island, Nelson Mandela maintained a physical-fitness regimen.

Manfred von Richthofen- Germany's World War I ace - was credited with shooting down victims 79 and 80 on the 20th of April, 1918.

Man o' War was not only a great thoroughbred himself, his bloodline includes other great racers, such as War Admiral and Seabiscuit.

Margaret Mitchell wrote "Gone with the Wind" while living at Crescent Apartments in Atlanta. She called apartment 1 "The Dump."

With their Mum well-dressed and wearing pearls, the Thatcher twins - Mark and Carol - pose for pictures.

When Margaret Thatcher's colleagues wanted to help improve her image, Laurence Olivier - the famous actor - suggested that she work with a tutor at th...

Margaret Utinsky, an American nurse whose efforts greatly aided the Cabanatuan prisoners, lost her husband to the prison camp's horrifying conditions....

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