Category: Brief histories of famous people across the world and ages

By Tim Lambert Alexander Graham Bell was the man who invented the telephone. He was born in Edinburgh on 3 March 1847. Bell’s father taught elocution and Alexander was expected to follow. He was educated at Edinburgh High School, Edinburgh University, and the University of London. Afterward, he taught elocution and music. Then in 1870,… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Alexander Graham Bell

By Tim Lambert Anne Askew was a Protestant martyr of the 16th century. In 1534 Henry VIII made himself head of the Church in England. However, King Henry kept the old Catholic doctrines mostly intact. He had little sympathy for Protestant beliefs. So during his reign, Protestants were persecuted. Anne Askew was born in 1521… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Anne Askew

By Tim Lambert We are not sure exactly when Anne Boleyn was born, but it was probably around 1501. She was the daughter of Thomas Boleyn and his wife Elizabeth. She had a brother George and a sister Mary. Anne grew up in Hever Castle in Kent but in 1513 she was sent to the… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Anne Boleyn

By Tim Lambert Helen Beatrix Potter was a famous author of the early 20th century. Beatrix was born in South Kensington, London on 28 July 1866. Her father, Rupert Potter was a lawyer. Since her mother was also called Helen she was called by her middle name, Beatrix. She had one brother who was 6… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Beatrix Potter

By Tim Lambert His Early Life Benjamin Franklin was a writer and diplomat. He was also an inventor. Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts on 17 January 1706. His father Josiah Franklin was a soap maker. Benjamin went to school for only a very short time. When he was 10 he started work in his… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Benjamin Franklin

By Tim Lambert  Bess of Hardwick was a very rich woman in 16th century England. She was born Elizabeth Hardwick in the autumn of 1527 (the exact date is not known) in the village of Hardwick in Derbyshire. Her father was John Hardwick, a moderately prosperous landowner, and her mother was also called Elizabeth. She… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Bess of Hardwick

By Tim Lambert The Early Life of James Cook Captain James Cook was a famous explorer of the 18th century. He was born on 7 November 1728 in Marton, Yorkshire. His father was a farm foreman. James went to Postgate School. When he was 17 Cook went to work in a shop in the village… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Captain James Cook

By Tim Lambert The early life of Scott Robert Falcon Scott was a great Antarctic explorer. He is sometimes called Scott of the Antarctic. However, he died tragically in 1912. Robert Scott was born on 6 June 1868 in Devon. He was one of 6 children. His father was a brewer and the family was… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Captain Scott

By Tim Lambert Caroline Herschel was a famous woman astronomer of the 18th century. Caroline was born on 16 March 1750 in Hanover, Germany. She was one of 8 children. Her father, Isaac Herschel, was a musician. Her mother was called Anna. Caroline’s mother did not want her daughters to be educated, but fortunately, her… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Caroline Herschel

By Tim Lambert Catherine of Aragon was born on 16 December 1485. She was the daughter of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile. Like most upper-class girls at that time, Catherine was highly educated. As an adult, she was very erudite. Because of her learning, she was admired by scholars like Erasmus and Juan… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Catherine of Aragon