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.

Although Vincent van Gogh could not sell his own paintings, today his art work sells for millions of dollars. This story is about his painting called ...

Although his paintings sell for millions of dollars today, Vincent van Gogh was unable to sell his artwork during his lifetime. Who was this prolific ...

Today Vincent van Gogh, the Dutch painter, is one of the world's most-beloved artists.

Around 1863, Angelo Mariani - a Frenchman born on the island of Corsica - decided to mix coca leaves with French wine. His new product became extremel...

Virginia Clemm - a first-cousin to Edgar Allan Poe - became his wife in the spring of 1836.

On 28 March 1941, Virginia Woolf, the famous British author, drowned in a river near her home. A single recording of her voice survives. The BBC has r...

Vivien Leigh, who played Scarlett O'Hara in the film version of "Gone with the Wind" - produced by David O.

Who was Walther Schwieger, the German U-boat commander who sank the Lusitania?

After Patriots forced General Howe and his fleet out of Boston, the Brits sailed into New York Harbor in June of 1776.

General Washington was nearly fifty-two when he decided to retire from military life and return to his Mount Vernon plantation.

Wendell Phillips (1811-1884) was an orator (among other things) who spoke publicly against slavery.

Wendell Smith - a reporter for the Pittsburgh Courier at the time Jack Robinson was playing baseball for the Kansas City Monarchs (a "Negro-League" te...

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