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

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

By Tim Lambert Her Early Life Charlotte Bronte was a great writer of the early 19th century. Charlotte was born on 21 April 1816 at the parsonage in Market Street in Thornton near the rapidly growing town of Bradford. Her father was Reverend Patrick Bronte. Her mother was Maria. They had 6 children. However, two… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Charlotte Bronte

By Tim Lambert Christopher Wren was one of the greatest architects of the 17th century. He is, of course, famous for St Paul’s Cathedral in London. Wren was born on 20 October 1632 in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, England. His father was a clergyman. Christopher was educated at Westminster School and in 1650 he went to… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Christopher Wren

By Tim Lambert Elizabeth Tudor was born on 7 September 1533 in Greenwich Palace. Her father was Henry VIII and her mother was Anne Boleyn. Her unfortunate mother was beheaded on 19 May 1536 when Elizabeth was still an infant. Her father died in 1547 and he was succeeded by his son Edward. He in… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Elizabeth I

By Tim Lambert Emily Bronte was a great writer of the early 19th century. Emily was born on 30 July 1818 in Market Street in Thornton bear the rapidly growing town of Bradford in Yorkshire. Her father Patrick Bronte was a clergyman. Her mother was Maria Bronte. The couple had 6 children. Emily was their… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Emily Bronte

By Tim Lambert Galileo Galilei was born on 15 February 1564 in Pisa, Italy. (He is one of the few famous people known by his first name rather than surname). Galileo was the first of 6 or, some say, 7 children. His father was a musician, and although the family was fairly well off, they… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Galileo

By Tim Lambert His Early Life George Fox was a founder of the Quakers. Fox was born in Fenny Drayton, in Leicestershire in July 1624. His father was a weaver and the family was comfortably off. George Fox trained as a shoemaker. George Fox came to believe that every person has an inner light to… Continue reading A Brief Biography of George Fox

By Tim Lambert His Early Life Henry VIII was born at Greenwich Palace on 28 June 1491 the second son of Henry Tudor (Henry VII). However, Henry’s older brother Arthur died in 1502. So Henry came to the throne in 1509. (Henry also had an older sister called Margaret and a younger sister called Mary).… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Henry VIII

By Tim Lambert Hilda of Whitby was an influential woman in the Anglo-Saxon Church. Christianity was first brought to Britain during the Roman occupation. However, in 407 the last Roman soldiers left Britain. In the 5th and 6th centuries Pagan peoples, the Saxons, Angles, and Jutes from Germany and Denmark invaded what is now England… Continue reading A Brief Biography of Hilda of Whitby