5 Minute Biographies

Did you know one of the founding fathers of the United States was born into a family of 17 children? Yes, Benjamin Franklin was born on a cold January day, the 17th of 1706, right in the heart of Boston. His family was of modest means, and formal education was a luxury they couldn’t afford. …

Did you know that James Dean, an iconic Hollywood star, only starred in three movies before his untimely death? Yet, his impact on Hollywood is undeniable.” This captivating figure, born in 1931, hailed from the small town of Marion, Indiana. Growing up in a Quaker household, a young Dean was no stranger to the values …

Have you ever wondered how a small boy from Norfolk became one of Britain’s most celebrated naval heroes?” From humble beginnings, a young lad named Horatio Nelson would rise to become Admiral Lord Nelson, an indomitable figure in British naval history. His strategic genius and unyielding courage on the high seas would forever shift the …

Did you know that Carrie Fisher, the beloved Princess Leia from Star Wars, was a prolific and uncredited script doctor in Hollywood?” Yes, our favorite intergalactic princess was also a master wordsmith, sharpening and honing the dialogue for a myriad of blockbuster hits. Her skill with the pen was just as impressive as her talent …

“Trust in God – she will provide.” – Emmeline Pankhurst Have you ever considered how one woman’s determination could forever change the course of history? Meet Emmeline Pankhurst, a beacon of courage in the face of adversity. Her indomitable spirit and unyielding resolve played a pivotal role in the women’s suffrage movement in the United …

“Put your trust in God, but be sure to keep your powder dry.” – Oliver Cromwell. In the heart of the 17th century, England was a nation at war with itself, a stage ripe for the rise of a man like Oliver Cromwell.” This era was characterized by a whirlwind of religious and political turmoil. …

“I’m never pleased with anything, I’m a perfectionist, it’s part of who I am.” – Michael Jackson Have you ever wondered how one of the most iconic pop stars, Michael Jackson, began his journey into stardom? Born in the small town of Gary, Indiana in the year 1958, Michael was the eighth child in a …

“I never said, ‘I want to be alone.’ I only said, ‘I want to be left alone.’ There is all the difference.” – Greta Garbo Greta Garbo, born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson, was an actress who began her career in her home country of Sweden before moving to Hollywood in 1925, where she quickly became a …

“In the twenty-first century, the robot will take the place which slave labour occupied in ancient civilisation.” – Nikola Tesla Nikola Tesla was born on 10 July 1856 in the village of Smiljan which is now part of Croatia but was then within the military frontier of the Austrian Empire.  His father was an Eastern …

“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill Winston Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace, in Oxfordshire on 30 November 1874.  He grew up as part of Great Britain’s rich aristocracy but even with essentially unlimited resources behind him, he failed to achieve good grades at school.  This, …

“If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun.” – Katharine Hepburn Katharine Houghton Hepburn was born on 12 May 1907 in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Her father, Thomas was a urologist at Hartford Hospital and helped to establish the New England Social Hygiene Association, whereas her mother, who was also called Katharine was …

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” Jacques Cousteau Jacques-Yves Cousteau was born on 11 June 1910 in Saint-André-de-Cubzac, Gironde, which is not too far from Bordeaux in South-Western France. He initially attended preparatory school at the exclusive Collège Stanislas in Paris before entering France’s naval academy …

“Know your lines and don’t bump into the furniture.” – Spencer Tracy Spencer Bonaventure Tracy was born on April 5, 1900, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA to John Edward Tracy who was a truck salesman and Caroline Tracy who was from a wealthy Presbyterian family.  He also had a brother called Carroll who was four years …

“Patience is a virtue in life, of course, but it’s not something we F1 people have too much of.” – Niki Lauda Andreas Nikolaus Lauda, known to the world as Niki Lauda was born in Vienna on 22 Feb 1949 into a prosperous paper manufacturing family.  However, the family was not supportive of his interest …

“If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline that afternoon would be: ‘President Can’t Swim.'” – Lyndon B. Johnson Lyndon Baines Johnson, known to most as LBJ, was born on 27 August 1908 in Gillespie County, Texas, USA.  He was the eldest of five children born to …

“Well, I think one of the things that you have to think about when acting in the movies is to try not to make the acting show.” – Jimmy Stewart James Maitland Stewart was born on 20 May 1908 in Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA.  His Presbyterian father, Alexander Maitland Stewart owned a hardware store and was …

“I’d rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.” – Kurt Cobain Kurt Donald Cobain was born on 20 February 1967 at Grays Harbor Hospital, in Aberdeen, Washington, USA.  His younger sister, Kimberly, was born on 24 April 1970.  The Cobain’s ancestors were shoemakers who emigrated to the USA …

“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” – George Orwell Eric Arthur Blair who would be later known as George Orwell was born on 15 June 1903 in Motihari which was at that time part of British India.  When Eric was not …

“Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.” – Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Ajaccio on the Mediterranean island of Corsica on 15 August 1769 which came under French rule the same year.  After completing his education in France, he joined the military and became an artillery officer in 1785 at …

“I’m so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark.” – Muhammad Ali Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, later to be known to the whole world as Muhammad Ali, was born on 17 January 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. His father …