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.

Historians believe this painting, by Michael Sittow, depicts the young Catherine of Aragon.

Before she was a Russian ruler, Catherine the Great was the daughter of a minor German prince. Then Empress Elizabeth picked Sophie to marry her heir,...

César Gaviria Trujillo was the intended target when Pablo Escobar ordered the downing of Avianca Flight 203 on November 27, 1989.

In the late summer of 1831, Charles Darwin was invited to accompany Captain Robert FitzRoyon avoyage aboard a ship to South America.

Charles Darwin was grief stricken when his daughter Annie died (most likely from tuberculosis).

Bitterly disagreeing that his country should surrender to the Nazis, in June of 1940, de Gaulle was an outspoken critic of the Vichy regime.

Bitterly disagreeing that his country should surrender to the Nazis, in June of 1940, de Gaulle was an outspoken critic of the Vichy regime.

How did Charles Dickens, who released his famous Christmas story on 13 December 1843, become such a famous writer?

This painting depicts Charles I with his wife, Queen Henrietta Maria (of France) and two of their children: Prince Charles, who later became King Char...

Son of a beheaded British monarch, Charles II was Prince of Wales when his father was executed. At the time, he was living on the Continent.

Charles Messier created a catalog of "objects" in the sky which professional and amateur astronomers still use.

Before Cesar Chavez dedicated his life to helping farm workers get a decent wage, field workers - including children - toiled long hours for unbelieva...

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