biography online

The 7 Best Biography Sites for Famous and Inspirational People

Biographies give us a historical look into the lives and times of notable people. They help to teach, inspire, and improve us as people.

Famous people, both living and dead, can help to inspire us to greater things and teach us about missing gaps in our own knowledge. Indeed, by studying the lives of some of the most famous people throughout history, you can turn yourself into a better person. And who doesn’t want that?

Thanks to the internet, you don’t need to spend a fortune on physical biographies in your local bookstore. Here are the best websites for biographies of renowned people who have ever lived.

1. Biography

Biography has been online for many years and has become one of the most well-known sites out there for memoirs, interviews, and life stories.

The People section has grown to thousands of entries and covers everyone from actors to scientists. When you click on a person's profile, you'll get a brief overview of their life, a list of “quick facts”, and information on their education, career, and personal life.

Biography also has entire sections dedicated to nostalgia, celebrities, history and culture, and crime and scandal. Most of the content in these sections takes a long-form article approach.

If you enjoy the content on the main site, make sure you also check out Biography's YouTube channel. Most of the videos are a couple of minutes long and focus on a single person.

S9 is like a Wikipedia of biographies . The content is editable by the users, and they also can contribute to the existing biographies on the site.

Every day, there is a selection of featured biographies, with many of the selections being for people you might not have heard of but who have achieved wonderful things in their lives. The site also has a birthday section and a latest biographies section, allowing you to delve into the lives of different fascinating people every time you log on.

S9 even has a biographical game in the form of a quiz. The questions are, predictably, based on people's lives. Fair warning—to get a good score, you need to have a serious deep amount of knowledge.

3. Notable Biographies

The simply organized encyclopedia on famous and historical personalities is very readable with an alphabetically arranged Wikipedia-like presentation. You can also add your own information through a form.

It lacks the large number of entries that you will find on some of the other sites on this list, but don't let that put you off. If you're looking for a who's-who of various global luminaries rather than endless lists of people you have never heard of, this is the site for you.

4. Women's History Month

Women's History Month is an official site produced by the US government. Of course, the month of the celebration itself is March, but you can visit and enjoy the site and its massive amount of content throughout the year.

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.

Overall, the site is an exhaustive resource on women who have impacted history through the ages. It pays tribute to some of the greatest women in history with multimedia content and other exhibits.

5. Wikipedia

If you want information on famous people, you can never go too far wrong with the ubiquitous Wikipedia. If anyone has achieved something globally noteworthy in their lives, you can be almost certain that they will have an entry on the site.

Of course, for the true giants of history, the entries can run to tens of thousands of words. But even for slightly less-famous people, you will still be able to find plenty of information.

Wikipedia is also one of the few biography sites that is available in multiple languages. For regionally famous people, you might find their local entry has far more information than the English-language entry. You can use Google Translate if you cannot understand the language in question.

And hey, if no article exists about the person in question, you can always try and make one yourself!

6. Academy of Achievement

The Academy of Achievement aims to provide readers with insight into the visionaries and pioneers who have shaped the modern world around us. The academy has existed for more than six decades, thus making inclusion in its hall of fame an honor in its own right.

For all the people who have made it onto the hallowed list over the years, you can access complete biographies, samples of their work, images, interviews, video content, and more.

7. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

If you're a politics fanatic, you will love the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. It features a biography for all 12,877 people who have served in the House of Representatives and Congress since the forming of the United States.

For each person, you will be able to find information about the congresses they served, the years they served, the state/territory they represented, their position, and their party. Of course, there is also a text article dedicated to each person, with information on their personal life, background, and career.

We've also covered some of the best sites for unbiased fact-checking if this isn't enough for your politics fix.

8. Academy of American Poets

If literature is more your thing, head to the Academy of American Poets. It offers more than 3,000 biographies of contemporary and classical poets from the US.

The site also offers non-biographical content. For example, there are thousands of poems for you to read, a poem-a-day feature, a library containing books, texts, and more, and even materials for teachers and links to poetry events near your location.

Learn About People to Become a Better Person

No matter what hobbies and interests you have, there is always something to be learned by studying the lives of other people.

Whether they help you find an answer to a moral question, inspire you to start a new project, or simply helps you pass some time on your commute, these sites will all help to keep you entertained and engaged for hours.

• (908) 279-0100
• [email protected]
• Log In / Sign Up

• Biographies Online

The Impact of MBO as a Research Tool

Perform biographical research faster, easier and with greater accuracy than ever before!

Over 1.6 million biographies – larger than any database of its kind!

Daily updates to existing bios and new bios added daily

Simple, targeted searching by name or up to 15 different criteria

Extremely easy-to-use interface

The Marquis Who’s Who database is available to institutions on an annual subscription basis

Marquis Who's Who proudly supports the library and research communities

Nearly every public and academic library in the United States – as well as corporate and research libraries around the world – use Marquis Who’s Who biographies in print or online.  This is why Marquis Who’s Who has been invaluable to the reference community for over 120 years and will be for decades to come.

“To be able to [read about] the lives of these people that have been through so much… it’s so extraordinary; the lessons, the discouragements they’ve faced, everything about them.”

Marquis Who’s Who now also offers slices of our online database. Each slice provides immediate access to all biographies that have appeared in each print title since 1985.

Who’s Who in America Slice

Who’s who in the world slice, who’s who in american politics slice, who’s who in american art slice, who’s who in american history slice, researchers rely on marquis who's who, public, academic and school libraries, corporate libraries, alumni offices, media professionals and researchers, frequently asked questions.

If you cannot locate your login details, please contact  [email protected]  for assistance.

Yes. You may send biographical revisions directly to  [email protected] .

Due to the volume of faxes/mail we receive daily, we are unable to track items until they logged into our system. Most biographical information takes 2-3 weeks to be updated. To view your most current biographical information, or to make changes to your profile, please log into mbo.marquiswhoswho.com .

Be a part of Marquis Who's Who

Have you made strides in your career that deserve to be showcased to the world? Could you benefit from joining a notable network of like-minded, seasoned professionals? Are you looking for an effective way to revive your professional reputation?

Corporate Address:

350 RXR Plaza Uniondale, NY 11556  

Phones: 1 (908) 673-0100 1 (908) 279-0100 Toll Free: 1 (844) 394-6946

E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Hours: Mon – Thu: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM Fri: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Marquis Who’s Who was established in 1898 and promptly began publishing biographical data in 1899. More than 125 years ago, our founder, Albert Nelson Marquis, established a standard of excellence with the first publication of Who’s Who in America.

Nav igation

• Publications
• Branding Opportunities
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy

Mar quis Network

• Marquis Who's Who History
• Marquis Testimonials
• Marquis Milestones
• Marquis Biographies Online
• Lifetime Achievement Award

Join Discovery, the new community for book lovers

Trust book recommendations from real people, not robots 🤓

Blog – Posted on Monday, Jan 21

The 30 best biographies of all time.

Biographer Richard Holmes once wrote that his work was “a kind of pursuit… writing about the pursuit of that fleeting figure, in such a way as to bring them alive in the present.”

At the risk of sounding cliché, the best biographies do exactly this: bring their subjects to life. A great biography isn’t just a laundry list of events that happened to someone. Rather, it should weave a narrative and tell a story in almost the same way a novel does. In this way, biography differs from the rest of nonfiction .

All the biographies on this list are just as captivating as excellent novels , if not more so. With that, please enjoy the 30 best biographies of all time — some historical, some recent, but all remarkable, life-giving tributes to their subjects.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the number of great biographies out there, you can also take our 30-second quiz below to narrow it down quickly and get a personalized biography recommendation  😉

Which biography should you read next?

Discover the perfect biography for you. Takes 30 seconds!

1. A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar

This biography of esteemed mathematician John Nash was both a finalist for the 1998 Pulitzer Prize and the basis for the award-winning film of the same name. Nasar thoroughly explores Nash’s prestigious career, from his beginnings at MIT to his work at the RAND Corporation — as well the internal battle he waged against schizophrenia, a disorder that nearly derailed his life.

2. Alan Turing: The Enigma: The Book That Inspired the Film The Imitation Game - Updated Edition by Andrew Hodges

Hodges’ 1983 biography of Alan Turing sheds light on the inner workings of this brilliant mathematician, cryptologist, and computer pioneer. Indeed, despite the title ( a nod to his work during WWII ), a great deal of the “enigmatic” Turing is laid out in this book. It covers his heroic code-breaking efforts during the war, his computer designs and contributions to mathematical biology in the years following, and of course, the vicious persecution that befell him in the 1950s — when homosexual acts were still a crime punishable by English law.

3. Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton is not only the inspiration for a hit Broadway musical, but also a work of creative genius itself. This massive undertaking of over 800 pages details every knowable moment of the youngest Founding Father’s life: from his role in the Revolutionary War and early American government to his sordid (and ultimately career-destroying) affair with Maria Reynolds. He may never have been president, but he was a fascinating and unique figure in American history — plus it’s fun to get the truth behind the songs.

Prefer to read about fascinating First Ladies rather than almost-presidents? Check out this awesome list of books about First Ladies over on The Archive.

4. Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston

A prolific essayist, short story writer, and novelist, Hurston turned her hand to biographical writing in 1927 with this incredible work, kept under lock and key until it was published 2018. It’s based on Hurston’s interviews with the last remaining survivor of the Middle Passage slave trade, a man named Cudjo Lewis. Rendered in searing detail and Lewis’ highly affecting African-American vernacular, this biography of the “last black cargo” will transport you back in time to an era that, chillingly, is not nearly as far away from us as it feels.

5. Churchill: A Life by Martin Gilbert

Though many a biography of him has been attempted, Gilbert’s is the final authority on Winston Churchill — considered by many to be Britain’s greatest prime minister ever. A dexterous balance of in-depth research and intimately drawn details makes this biography a perfect tribute to the mercurial man who led Britain through World War II.

Just what those circumstances are occupies much of Bodanis's book, which pays homage to Einstein and, just as important, to predecessors such as Maxwell, Faraday, and Lavoisier, who are not as well known as Einstein today. Balancing writerly energy and scholarly weight, Bodanis offers a primer in modern physics and cosmology, explaining that the universe today is an expression of mass that will, in some vastly distant future, one day slide back to the energy side of the equation, replacing the \'dominion of matter\' with \'a great stillness\'--a vision that is at once lovely and profoundly frightening.

Without sliding into easy psychobiography, Bodanis explores other circumstances as well; namely, Einstein's background and character, which combined with a sterling intelligence to afford him an idiosyncratic view of the way things work--a view that would change the world. --Gregory McNamee

6. E=mc²: A Biography of the World's Most Famous Equation by David Bodanis

This “biography of the world’s most famous equation” is a one-of-a-kind take on the genre: rather than being the story of Einstein, it really does follow the history of the equation itself. From the origins and development of its individual elements (energy, mass, and light) to their ramifications in the twentieth century, Bodanis turns what could be an extremely dry subject into engaging fare for readers of all stripes.

7. Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario

When Enrique was only five years old, his mother left Honduras for the United States, promising a quick return. Eleven years later, Enrique finally decided to take matters into his own hands in order to see her again: he would traverse Central and South America via railway, risking his life atop the “train of death” and at the hands of the immigration authorities, to reunite with his mother. This tale of Enrique’s perilous journey is not for the faint of heart, but it is an account of incredible devotion and sharp commentary on the pain of separation among immigrant families.

8. Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera

Herrera’s 1983 biography of renowned painter Frida Kahlo, one of the most recognizable names in modern art, has since become the definitive account on her life. And while Kahlo no doubt endured a great deal of suffering (a horrific accident when she was eighteen, a husband who had constant affairs), the focal point of the book is not her pain. Instead, it’s her artistic brilliance and immense resolve to leave her mark on the world — a mark that will not soon be forgotten, in part thanks to Herrera’s dedicated work.

9. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Perhaps the most impressive biographical feat of the twenty-first century, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is about a woman whose cells completely changed the trajectory of modern medicine. Rebecca Skloot skillfully commemorates the previously unknown life of a poor black woman whose cancer cells were taken, without her knowledge, for medical testing — and without whom we wouldn’t have many of the critical cures we depend upon today.

10. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Christopher McCandless, aka Alexander Supertramp, hitchhiked to Alaska and disappeared into the Denali wilderness in April 1992. Five months later, McCandless was found emaciated and deceased in his shelter — but of what cause? Krakauer’s biography of McCandless retraces his steps back to the beginning of the trek, attempting to suss out what the young man was looking for on his journey, and whether he fully understood what dangers lay before him.

11. Let Us Now Praise Famous Men: Three Tenant Families by James Agee

"Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us.” From this line derives the central issue of Agee and Evans’ work: who truly deserves our praise and recognition? According to this 1941 biography, it’s the barely-surviving sharecropper families who were severely impacted by the American “Dust Bowl” — hundreds of people entrenched in poverty, whose humanity Evans and Agee desperately implore their audience to see in their book.

12. The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann

Another mysterious explorer takes center stage in this gripping 2009 biography. Grann tells the story of Percy Fawcett, the archaeologist who vanished in the Amazon along with his son in 1925, supposedly in search of an ancient lost city. Parallel to this narrative, Grann describes his own travels in the Amazon 80 years later: discovering firsthand what threats Fawcett may have encountered, and coming to realize what the “Lost City of Z” really was.

13. Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang

Though many of us will be familiar with the name Mao Zedong, this prodigious biography sheds unprecedented light upon the power-hungry “Red Emperor.” Chang and Halliday begin with the shocking statistic that Mao was responsible for 70 million deaths during peacetime — more than any other twentieth-century world leader. From there, they unravel Mao’s complex ideologies, motivations, and missions, breaking down his long-propagated “hero” persona and thrusting forth a new, grislier image of one of China’s biggest revolutionaries.

14. Mad Girl's Love Song: Sylvia Plath and Life Before Ted by Andrew Wilson by Andrew Wilson

Titled after one of her most evocative poems, this shimmering bio of Sylvia Plath takes an unusual approach. Instead of focusing on her years of depression and tempestuous marriage to poet Ted Hughes, it chronicles her life before she ever came to Cambridge. Wilson closely examines her early family and relationships, feelings and experiences, with information taken from her meticulous diaries — setting a strong precedent for other Plath biographers to follow.

15. The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes

What if you had twenty-four different people living inside you, and you never knew which one was going to come out? Such was the life of Billy Milligan, the subject of this haunting biography by the author of Flowers for Algernon . Keyes recounts, in a refreshingly straightforward style, the events of Billy’s life and how his psyche came to be “split”... as well as how, with Keyes’ help, he attempted to put the fragments of himself back together.

16. Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder

This gorgeously constructed biography follows Paul Farmer, a doctor who’s worked for decades to eradicate infectious diseases around the globe, particularly in underprivileged areas. Though Farmer’s humanitarian accomplishments are extraordinary in and of themselves, the true charm of this book comes from Kidder’s personal relationship with him — and the sense of fulfillment the reader sustains from reading about someone genuinely heroic, written by someone else who truly understands and admires what they do.

17. Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts

Here’s another bio that will reshape your views of a famed historical tyrant, though this time in a surprisingly favorable light. Decorated scholar Andrew Roberts delves into the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, from his near-flawless military instincts to his complex and confusing relationship with his wife. But Roberts’ attitude toward his subject is what really makes this work shine: rather than ridiculing him ( as it would undoubtedly be easy to do ), he approaches the “petty tyrant” with a healthy amount of deference.

18. The Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson IV by Robert A. Caro

Lyndon Johnson might not seem as intriguing or scandalous as figures like Kennedy, Nixon, or W. Bush. But in this expertly woven biography, Robert Caro lays out the long, winding road of his political career, and it’s full of twists you wouldn’t expect. Johnson himself was a surprisingly cunning figure, gradually maneuvering his way closer and closer to power. Finally, in 1963, he got his greatest wish — but at what cost? Fans of Adam McKay’s Vice , this is the book for you.

19. Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser

Anyone who grew up reading Little House on the Prairie will surely be fascinated by this tell-all biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Caroline Fraser draws upon never-before-published historical resources to create a lush study of the author’s life — not in the gently narrated manner of the Little House series, but in raw and startling truths about her upbringing, marriage, and volatile relationship with her daughter (and alleged ghostwriter) Rose Wilder Lane.

20. Prince: A Private View by Afshin Shahidi

Compiled just after the superstar’s untimely death in 2016, this intimate snapshot of Prince’s life is actually a largely visual work — Shahidi served as his private photographer from the early 2000s until his passing. And whatever they say about pictures being worth a thousand words, Shahidi’s are worth more still: Prince’s incredible vibrance, contagious excitement, and altogether singular personality come through in every shot.

21. Radioactive: Marie & Pierre Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss

Could there be a more fitting title for a book about the husband-wife team who discovered radioactivity? What you may not know is that these nuclear pioneers also had a fascinating personal history. Marie Sklodowska met Pierre Curie when she came to work in his lab in 1891, and just a few years later they were married. Their passion for each other bled into their passion for their work, and vice-versa — and in almost no time at all, they were on their way to their first of their Nobel Prizes.

22. Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson

She may not have been assassinated or killed in a mysterious plane crash, but Rosemary Kennedy’s fate is in many ways the worst of “the Kennedy Curse.” As if a botched lobotomy that left her almost completely incapacitated weren’t enough, her parents then hid her away from society, almost never to be seen again. Yet in this new biography, penned by devoted Kennedy scholar Kate Larson, the full truth of Rosemary’s post-lobotomy life is at last revealed.

23. Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay by Nancy Milford

This appropriately lyrical biography of brilliant Jazz Age poet and renowned feminist, Edna St. Vincent Millay, is indeed a perfect balance of savage and beautiful. While Millay’s poetic work was delicate and subtle, the woman herself was feisty and unpredictable, harboring unusual and occasionally destructive habits that Milford fervently explores.

24. Shelley: The Pursuit by Richard Holmes

Holmes’ famous philosophy of “biography as pursuit” is thoroughly proven here in his first full-length biographical work. Shelley: The Pursuit details an almost feverish tracking of Percy Shelley as a dark and cutting figure in the Romantic period — reforming many previous historical conceptions about him through Holmes’ compelling and resolute writing.

25. Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life by Ruth Franklin

Another Gothic figure has been made newly known through this work, detailing the life of prolific horror and mystery writer Shirley Jackson. Author Ruth Franklin digs deep into the existence of the reclusive and mysterious Jackson, drawing penetrating comparisons between the true events of her life and the dark nature of her fiction.

26. The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel

Fans of Into the Wild and The Lost City of Z will find their next adventure fix in this 2017 book about Christopher Knight, a man who lived by himself in the Maine woods for almost thirty years. The tale of this so-called “last true hermit” will captivate readers who have always fantasized about escaping society, with vivid descriptions of Knight’s rural setup, his carefully calculated moves and how he managed to survive the deadly cold of the Maine winters.

27. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

The man, the myth, the legend: Steve Jobs, co-founder and CEO of Apple, is properly immortalized in Isaacson’s masterful biography. It divulges the details of Jobs’ little-known childhood and tracks his fateful path from garage engineer to leader of one of the largest tech companies in the world — not to mention his formative role in other legendary companies like Pixar, and indeed within the Silicon Valley ecosystem as a whole.

28. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

Olympic runner Louis Zamperini was just twenty-six when his US Army bomber crashed and burned in the Pacific, leaving him and two other men afloat on a raft for forty-seven days — only to be captured by the Japanese Navy and tortured as a POW for the next two and a half years. In this gripping biography, Laura Hillenbrand tracks Zamperini’s story from beginning to end… including how he embraced Christian evangelism as a means of recovery, and even came to forgive his tormentors in his later years.

29. Vera (Mrs. Vladimir Nabokov) by Stacy Schiff

Everyone knows of Vladimir Nabokov — but what about his wife, Vera, whom he called “the best-humored woman I have ever known”? According to Schiff, she was a genius in her own right, supporting Vladimir not only as his partner, but also as his all-around editor and translator. And she kept up that trademark humor throughout it all, inspiring her husband’s work and injecting some of her own creative flair into it along the way.

30. Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare by Stephen Greenblatt

William Shakespeare is a notoriously slippery historical figure — no one really knows when he was born, what he looked like, or how many plays he wrote. But that didn’t stop Stephen Greenblatt, who in 2004 turned out this magnificently detailed biography of the Bard: a series of imaginative reenactments of his writing process, and insights on how the social and political ideals of the time would have influenced him. Indeed, no one exists in a vacuum, not even Shakespeare — hence the conscious depiction of him in this book as a “will in the world,” rather than an isolated writer shut up in his own musty study.

If you're looking for more inspiring nonfiction, check out this list of 30 engaging self-help books , or this list of the last century's best memoirs !

Continue reading

More posts from across the blog.

Kindle Cloud Reader 101: What It Is and How to Use It

Much has been made of the eBook’s rise this decade. More of them are being published than ever, and the vast majority are sold through Amazon, the dominant player in online book and eBook retailing. From self-published titles to New York Times bestseller...

How to Get Started on Bookstagram in 2024

If you love to read, love a gorgeous book cover, or just love giving your opinion on what you’ve read, there’s no better place to be on than Bookstagram!

The 53 Best Book Series of All Time

With new books being published every single day, figuring out your next read can be a daunting task. Lucky for you, we’ve created a list of the 53 best book series of all time — ranging from fantasy and science fiction to romance and thriller — to keep you occupied for days (o...

Heard about Reedsy Discovery?

Trust real people, not robots, to give you book recommendations.

Or sign up with an

Or sign up with your social account

• Submit your book
• Reviewer directory

Biographies generously sponsored by Susan D. Whiting.

Biographies

Women have always played an active role in history. explore some of the historical women and contemporary newsmakers that continue to impact the world. new biographies are added regularly, so check back to discover inspiring new stories, featured biographies.

Gerda Lerner

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Lillian Wald

Stacey Abrams

Abigail Smith Adams

Jane Addams

Toshiko Akiyoshi

Louisa May Alcott

Sonita Alizadeh

June Almeida

Asieh Amini

Maya Angelou

Susan B. Anthony

Corazon Aquino

Josephine Baker

Lucille Ball

Penelope Barker

Clara Barton

Charlotta Spears Bass

Daisy Bates

Catharine Beecher

Regina Benjamin

Celebrities

Children of u.s. presidents.

.css-16fg1hg{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Gilroy-roboto,Gilroy-local,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-16fg1hg:hover{color:link-hover;}} Barron Trump

Sasha Obama

Malia Obama

Jenna Bush Hager

.css-1dmjnw1{position:relative;}.css-1dmjnw1:before{content:"";position:absolute;} .css-13il6b0{display:block;font-family:Ramillas,Ramillas-weightbold-roboto,Ramillas-weightbold-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;font-size:2rem;font-weight:800;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-13il6b0:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-13il6b0{font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.1;}} Philippe Petit: The True Story Behind the Daredevil's World Trade Center Wire Walk .css-ha23m7{position:relative;}.css-ha23m7:after{content:"";position:absolute;}

Famous chefs.

Julia Child

Julie Powell

José Andrés

Jacques Torres

.css-1ymvwpa{display:block;font-family:Ramillas,Ramillas-weightbold-roboto,Ramillas-weightbold-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;font-size:2rem;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1ymvwpa:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1ymvwpa{font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.1;}} 10 Black Models Who Owned the Runway

Bella Hadid

Naomi Campbell

Gisele Bündchen

More celebrity coverage.

.css-43q7z5{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Gilroy-roboto,Gilroy-local,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#ffffff;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-43q7z5:hover{color:link-hover;}} Priscilla Presley’s Net Worth Is Quite Complicated

Riley Keough’s Net Worth Quadrupled in Just a Year

Where Is Blake Fielder-Civil Now?

Beyoncé and Blue Ivy Essentials Before Mufasa

Is Zendaya in Her ‘Ballet Flats’ Era? Shop Now

Who Killed Harry Houdini?

Kelsea Ballerini’s $12 Lip Gloss

9 Chic Jeans Inspired by Beyoncé’s All Denim Looks

Why Priscilla Presley Never Remarried After Elvis

10 Black Models Who Owned the Runway

Shop Billie Eilish’s Oscars Chanel Bag

Emma Stone’s Oscars Beauty Products Are 20% Off RN

Shop Taylor Swift's Handbag Dupe 2024

Shop Taylor Swift's Mejuri Heirloom Ring

The 10 Most Famous Mouseketeers

Riley Keough, Priscilla Presley Attend the Emmys

A List of All 19 EGOT Winners

The People You’ll Know in 2024

Advertisement

Free Newsletters

Sign up now

Spring Fund Drive

New Teilhard de Chardin film produces thoughtful, inspiring biography

A bust at China's Nihewan Museum celebrating Jesuit Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin overlooks the vast valley still under excavation. Teilhard — among other things a paleontologist and geologist — is the subject of a new documentary that will be available on the PBS app May 20. (Courtesy of  Frank and Mary Frost)

by Rose Pacatte

View Author Profile

Follow on Twitter at @srrosemovies

Join the Conversation

In "Teilhard: Visionary Scientist," a new documentary to be broadcast on PBS, four key ideas emerge from the life and mind of Jesuit Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955): evolution, integration, fire and passion. 

The fascinating visionary, paleontologist, theologian, geologist, philosopher, evolutionary theorist and mystic provides ample subject matter for a two-hour documentary. In an exclusive interview for NCR, producer Mary Frost told me the film had taken 13 years to accomplish — shot in four countries on three continents (France, China, England and the U.S.) in 25 locations. 

French Jesuit Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin is seen in this 1947 photo. (CNS/Public domain/Archives des Jesuits de France) 

Mary and her co-producer husband Frank Frost made seven research trips to prepare for the film, followed by seven shooting trips. They interviewed 30 experts and banked 200 hours of video material that took them two years to edit. Jesuit Fr.  Eddie Siebert of Loyola Productions did the cinematography and Taiwan-based Jesuit Fr. Jerry Martinson (who consulted on Martin Scorsese’s 2016 film " Silence ") was their Mandarin interpreter on shoots in China. Sadly, Martinson passed away in 2017, before "Teilhard" was completed.

Born and educated in France,  Teilhard de Chardin was introduced to the study of stones and rocks by his father, Emmnuel, and to the life of faith by his mother, Berthe-Adele. While still a young boy, Teilhard had an existential crisis about the impermanence of matter, but as he matured spiritually, he began to understand that spirit and matter, the divine, the world, the universe, humanity and all creation are connected. He entered the Jesuits just before his 18th birthday and began to express these ideas in his writing from the front during World War I, during which he served as a medic.

Documentary debuts

"Teilhard: Visionary Scientist" debuts on  PBS Maryland on May 19 at 4 p.m. Beginning on May 20, you can watch the documentary streaming on the  free PBS app .

Teilhard believed in evolution, and at his death he continued to believe that the world was still "becoming" under God’s creative action. While his influence on the Second Vatican Council is well documented, anyone who has read and studied " Laudato Si', on Care for Our Common Home " will recognize Pope Francis' own high regard for Teilhard's vision of God, respect for creation and the transforming power of love.

American Catholic novelist Flannery O'Connor described  Teilhard's words as the work of an artist, saying, "Teilhard's view of evolution as the spiritualizing of matter is close to the poet's." 

The producers of "Teilhard: Visionary Scientist," interviewed Pierre Teilhard de Chardin's great-nephew, a parish priest in Paris. Fr. Olivier Teilhard de Chardin's church houses World War I memorials that list two of Teilhard's brothers as killed in action. (Courtesy of  Frank and Mary Frost) 

As a film, "Teilhard: Visionary Scientist" accomplishes two goals. First, it is an exceptional narrative made from documentary footage, recent interviews with key experts and Teilhard’s relatives in the United States, France and China; old photographs and new photos taken during the filming; and the select use of the Jesuit's writings. From these, a substantive, thought-provoking and inspiring biography emerges.

Second, the film introduces Teilhard's ideas — such as the " noosphere ," a term he coined that refers to the interconnected realm of human thought and consciousness evolving toward collective spiritual unity. This profound film reveals much about a man whose life, work and ideas are only becoming more relevant to science, philosophy and theology. "Teilhard" never loses you.

Biographer  Ursula King 's contributions — as well as those of others — help develop the portrait of a man who was at once prophet, priest, Jesuit, scientist and mystic. Their research is keenly evident in the choice of Teilhard's words, voiced by Frank Frost, and the smooth tenor of narration by media producer (and Franciscan friar) Greg Friedman. 

Teilhard was a controversial theologian. When he tried to reconcile science and faith by questioning whether humanity descended from Adam and proposed another way original sin may have entered the world, he was obliged to affirm six doctrinal teachings or risk being expelled by the Society of Jesus. Though he did affirm the teachings, he lost his position as a teacher and was exiled to China, where he worked as a paleontologist (and is still revered today).

In November 1957, after his death, the church decreed that his books could not be held in libraries of seminaries and religious institutes, nor carried in Catholic bookstores. It is interesting, however, that none of his books were ever placed on the  Index of Forbidden Books , which until 1962 was still adding titles, in whole or in part, that were deemed dangerous or against faith and morals. 

But the filmmakers find little, if anything, to critique in Teilhard's life or writings, though they are open about the doctrinal issues with his Jesuit superiors and the somewhat controversial influence that women had in his life as a celibate religious.

What would Pierre Teilhard de Chardin think about the experimentation with evolution happening today? For example, the genetic editing and DNA technology being used to "de-extinct" the  woolly mammoth ? I asked Mary Frost this question and she admitted we cannot know for sure, though she pointed out that he "said in his later years that he was not interested so much in the past but in the future, particularly the evolution of consciousness."

Most important, Frost emphasized, is that those interested in the work of Teilhard de Chardin "not shut down medical or scientific research because it seems beyond the pale, but do be concerned that the most important choices we make are furthering the evolution of union and love."

Most Read Stories

#1 Vatican cracks down on 'supernatural' occurrences in new apparition rules

#2 Catholic trad wives pose a formidable political and religious force

#3 'Stay in your lane!' says KC football player far outside his lane

#4 Editorial: Is the US church really taking 'a step back in time'?

Latest news.

In God's waiting room, creatures great and small cultivate hope together

To live authentically, look to the paramount example: Jesus

New book examines Christianity during 'the plague that shook the Roman world'

Baltimore Archdiocese finalizes plan that will reduce city parishes by half

Subscribe to ncr's free newsletters.

Select any of the newsletters below, then enter your email address and click "subscribe"

This page uses frames, but your browser doesn't support them.

The History

Find out significant events in South Africa history; apartheid, online, archive, biography, festival, timeline, pictures.

• Biographies

Ftarget Biography, Origin, Age, Career, Sampled Song Controversy, & More

Table of Contents

Who Is Ftarget?

The internet has been entertaining over the last few decades. People and various misconceptions have been the focal point of these entertainments. Recently, Ftarget has been the one to make waves on the net, but who is he? Ftarget is a Nigerian-born artist and performer.  His original name is Kingsley Ugwoke Chukwujekwu  and  he hails from  the  eastern  part of  Nigeria.

Want to know more about the artist and why he is trending? Read this article to get your answers.

Related Posts:

• Kool and the Gang Net Worth
• Whitney Houston Net Worth - Net Worth Post
• Hilary Duff Biography, Age, Height, Husband, Net…
• Kim Carnes Net Worth - Net Worth Post
• Wayne Brady Net Worth - Net Worth Post
• Natalie Portman Biography, Age, Height, Husband, Net…

Ftarget’s Biography

Born Kingsley Ugwoke Chukwujekwu, Ftarget is a Nigerian Afro-fusion singer and songwriter. He hails from the Eastern region of Nigeria but was born and raised in Lagos State  Nigeria , where he also resides currently.

He started singing  way back  in 2017 but only recently came under the spotlight. Sadly, he came under the spotlight for a reason that is not so good. In the next section, I will shed more light on this.

Ftarget’s Top Songs

• Mumu Button

Ftarget Sample Song Conspiracy

In 2024, Ftarget made waves after the release of his hit song “No Gree”. The song had a vibe that many Nigerians found matching the  popular  “no gree for anybody” anthem for 2024.

However, recent events have seen the artist  questioned   for  the originality of his song.  It is believed that he sampled an old song and has failed to give credit or request permission from the owner  of the  song  he sampled .

Following this, he has been given several warnings to do the needful before thing escalates. Ftarget  however , remains silent on the issue.

How old is Ftarget?

His actual age is unknown, but he  is believed  to be in his 20s .

Where is Ftarget from?

He hails from the eastern region of Nigeria but was born and raised in Lagos State, Nigeria.

What is Ftarget’s real name?

He was born Kingsley Ugwoke Chukwujekwu .

I hope you found this article interesting , do  visit Kobiwrites today for more interesting content.

Thanks for reading.

Related posts:

BOY SPYCE Biography, Real Name, Top Songs, Net Worth, & More

Austin Eguavoen Biography – Age, Origin, Education, Career, Net Worth, & More

Lucky Adaghe Biography – Origin, Age, Education, Career, Net Worth, & More

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Biography Online

Martin Luther King Biography

Early Life of Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta on 15 January 1929. Both his father and grandfather were pastors in an African-American Baptist church. M. Luther King attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, (segregated schooling) and then went to study at Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania and Boston University. During his time at University Martin Luther King became aware of the vast inequality and injustice faced by black Americans; in particular, he was influenced by Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent protest. The philosophy of Gandhi tied in with the teachings of his Baptist faith. At the age of 24, King married Coretta Scott , a beautiful and talented young woman. After getting married, King became a pastor at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

It began in innocuous circumstances on 5 December 1955. Rosa Parks, a civil rights activist, refused to give up her seat – she was sitting in a white-only area. This broke the strict segregation of coloured and white people on the Montgomery buses. The bus company refused to back down and so Martin Luther King helped to organise a strike where coloured people refused to use any of the city buses. The boycott lasted for several months, the issue was then brought to the Supreme Court who declared the segregation was unconstitutional.

Civil Rights Movement.

After the success of the Montgomery bus boycott, King and other ministers founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). This proved to be a nucleus for the growing civil rights movement. Later there would be arguments about the best approach to take. In particular, the 1960s saw the rise of the Black power movement, epitomised by Malcolm X and other black nationalist groups. However, King always remained committed to the ideals of non-violent struggle.

Martin Luther King and Malcolm X briefly meet in 1964 before going to listen to a Senate debate about civil rights in Washington. (image Wikicommons )

Speeches of Martin Luther King Jr

Martin Luther King was an inspirational and influential speaker; he had the capacity to move and uplift his audiences. In particular, he could offer a vision of hope. He captured the injustice of the time but also felt that this injustice was like a passing cloud. King frequently made references to God, the Bible and his Christian Faith.

“And this is what Jesus means when he said: “How is it that you can see the mote in your brother’s eye and not see the beam in your own eye?” Or to put it in Moffatt’s translation: “How is it that you see the splinter in your brother’s eye and fail to see the plank in your own eye?” And this is one of the tragedies of human nature. So we begin to love our enemies and love those persons that hate us whether in collective life or individual life by looking at ourselves.” – Martin Luther King

His speeches were largely free of revenge, instead focusing on the need to move forward. He was named as Man of the Year by Time magazine in 1963, it followed his famous and iconic “ I Have a Dream Speech ” – delivered in Washington during a civil rights march.

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.” I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood”

– Martin Luther King

The following year, Martin Luther King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work towards social justice. King announced he would turn over the prize money $54,123 to the civil rights movement. With the prestige of the Nobel Prize, King was increasingly consulted by politicians such as Lyndon Johnson .

However, King’s opposition to the Vietnam War did not endear him to the Johnson administration; King also began receiving increased scrutiny from the authorities, such as the FBI.

On April 4th, 1968, King was assassinated. It was one day after he had delivered his final speech “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”

In his honour, America has instigated a national Martin Luther King Day. He remains symbolic of America’s fight for justice and racial equality.

Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan . “ Martin Luther King Biography” , Oxford, UK.  www.biographyonline.net , 11th Feb 2008. Last updated 2 March 2018.

The Autobiography of Martin Luther King

The Autobiography of Martin Luther King at Amazon.com

Strength to Love – The Speeches of Martin Luther King at Amazon

Related pages

• Martin Luther King Quotes
• Martin Luther King Speeches
• Martin Luther Biography

Famous Americans – Great Americans from the Founding Fathers to modern civil rights activists. Including presidents, authors, musicians, entrepreneurs and businessmen.

18 Comments

just because people are colored they should not be treated differently they are also gods creation who he love more than anything

• February 27, 2019 5:11 PM
• By brieanna

Both of martin luther king jr father and grandfather were pastors in an african american baptist church.

• January 15, 2019 6:55 PM

colored does not have a u

• September 28, 2018 6:38 PM

It does in British-English

• October 07, 2018 7:53 AM

it is very use for projects

• August 28, 2018 1:55 PM

Thank you for all of your help this helped me build and essay.

• May 01, 2018 3:55 PM

this also really helped me with a very important project

• April 12, 2018 4:40 PM

This helped me with a project of mine.

• April 06, 2018 12:20 AM
• By Emiliano Carrera