5 Minute Biographies

“You can count on Errol Flynn, he’ll always let you down.” – David Niven James David Graham Niven was born on 1 March 1910 in Belgrave Mansions, London and was given the second name David because he was born on St. David’s Day. His father, William Niven was Scottish and served in the Berkshire Yeomanry …

“All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much.” – George Harrison Born on 25 February 1943, in Liverpool, England, George Harrison was the son of a bus conductor called Harold and a shop assistant called Louise. He and his three siblings, Louise, Harry and Peter likely had no idea …

“When I am dead and opened, you shall find Calais lying in my heart.” – Mary I of England Mary I Biography Mary Tudor, daughter of King Henry VIII became Mary I of England and Ireland in the 1500s. She was known for the violent execution of Protestants, which earned her the unfortunate nickname ‘Bloody …

“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph” – Thomas Paine Thomas Paine Biography Thomas Paine was born on 9 February 1737, in Thetford, Norfolk, England. He was the son of a Quaker father called Joseph and an Anglican mother called Frances. He attended Thetford Grammar School between the ages of 7 and 13 …

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” – Marie Curie Marie Curie Biography Maria Sklodowska Curie was born in Warsaw, which was then known as the Russian partition of Poland, on 7 November 1867. Maria was …

 “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” – Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Biography The man who would become the 26th president of the United States of America, Theodore Roosevelt, Teddy or TR to his friends, was born on October 27, 1858. He was the second of four children to arrive …

“The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ but ‘That’s funny…’” – Isaac Asimov Isaac Asimov Biography Isaac Asimov is an American author who is perhaps best known for his works in the science fiction genre, particularly relating to works about robots. However, he also dabbled …

“The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people” – Woodrow Wilson Woodrow Wilson Biography Woodrow Wilson is perhaps best remembered as being the 28th president of the United States, serving two terms in office during which he guided America through World War 1 and played a large part in the …

“In Medford, I awaked the Captain of the Minute Men, and after that, I alarmed almost every house, till I got to Lexington” – Paul Revere Paul Revere Biography Paul Revere is one of the most prominent figures of the American Revolution and achieved infamy thanks to his storied ‘Midnight Ride’. However, outside of his …

“If you keep making jokes like that, someone is going to shoot you, father” – Mary Todd Lincoln Mary Todd Lincoln Biography Mary Ann Todd was born into a world of social prominence and affluence.  She was well educated and as a young lady was considered attractive, witty, and intelligent.  As wife of the 16th …

“There are things known and things unknown and in between are the doors” – Jim Morrison Jim Morrison Biography “If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.” William Blake 1793 Was it the peripatetic childhood of a military brat, the nature of a reader and dreamer, the …

“I love to travel, but hate to arrive” – Hernando Cortes Hernando Cortes Biography Hernándo Cortés, the famous, or perhaps more accurately, the infamous explorer was born in 1485 in Medellin, Spain. The son of an upper class, yet not very wealthy family, he began life as a skinny, sickly problem child. By the age …

“There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first time. I owe him my best.” – Joe DiMaggio Joe DiMaggio Biography There are some names that are almost synonymous with baseball.  Names like Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson, and Joe DiMaggio.  The eleven-time all star DiMaggio is truly one of …

“The monster was the best friend I ever had” – Boris Karloff Boris Karloff Biography 75-year-old Boris summed it up: ‘It is not true that I was born a monster – Hollywood made me one. That was thirty-one years ago, and I have lived accordingly ever since. You could say his fame is sandwiched between …

“Any girl can be glamorous. All you have to do is stand still and look stupid” – Hedy Lamarr Hedy Lamarr Biography The next time you place a call on your smartphone, use Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi, you might pause and whisper a word of appreciation to Hedwig Kiesler Markey.  She was one of the pioneers …

“Courage! I have shown it for years; think you I shall lose it at the moment when my sufferings are to end?” – Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette Biography “S’ils n’ont plus de pain, qu’ils mangent de la brioche!” – translated, “If they have no bread, then let them eat cake!” These words came to symbolize …

“Colour is my day-long obsession, joy, and torment.” – Claude Monet Claude Monet Biography Claude Monet is one of the most famous artists of all time. Born on November 14, 1840 in Paris, France, he was artistic even as a young child. Instead of focusing on his studies, he was prone to doodling caricatures of his …

“Carnegie Hall was real fabulous, but you know, it ain’t as big as the Grand Ole Opry.” – Patsy Cline Patsy Cline Biography One of the most iconic female solo music artists of all time was raised in a small, square house in Winchester, Virginia. Covered in white sideboard with two rows of three perfectly …

“Relax Georgie, I’m just making my collar and cuffs match” – Carole Lombard Carole Lombard Biography Born Jane Alice Peters, Hollywood starlet Carole Lombard would go on to be called many names, including “The Profane Angel” and “The Hoosier Tornado.” The blonde beauty would eventually become one the highest paid actresses in Hollywood in the …

“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that” – Bill Shankly Bill Shankly Biography First things first. Whenever I mention football in this episode, and especially for those of you outside Europe, I am talking about soccer, not American Football, and it is …