Katharine Hepburn

Katharine Hepburn (1907 – 2003) Multiple Oscar winning American actress, Hepburn starred in many successful films including The African Queen (1951) The Rainmaker (1956) and On Golden Pond (1981)

Chairman Mao Zedong

Chairman Mao was the charismatic and brutal leader of Communist China. Leading the Communist party to power in 1949, Chairman Mao set about establishing his unquestioned authority and power, sending China into turmoil. Millions suffered in his schemes and cultural revolution of the 1950s and 1960s.

Born in the village of Shaoshan in Hunan Provence, 1893, he started life as a humble farm worker. But, he rebelled against his father and went to Changsa to gain an education. After drifting through different careers he joined the fledgling Communist party in 1921 and rose through its ranks becoming leader by the 1940s. Mao was ruthless in his quest for power, willing to poison and kill rivals – whoever they may be.

He wrote his Little Red Book (1964)

“Every Communist must grasp the truth: Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.”

He later showed no mercy in turning on old comrades from the Great March. In the late 1940s, Mao Zedong led the Communist party on the long march south and eventually defeated the nationalistic troops on Chiang Kar Chek.

More and source: http://www.biographyonline.net/politicians/asia/chairman-mao.html

Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1939) – Austrian neurologist who is credited with developing the field of psychoanalysis.

Freud was born 6 May 1856  in Freiberg in Moravia, Austrian Empire
(now Příbor, Czech Republic) to Hasidic Jewish parents.

Freud was brought up in Leipzig and Vienna, he attended a prominent school, where Freud proved an outstanding student, excelling in languages, and English literature. He developed a love for reading Shakespeare in original English, something he kept up throughout his life.

At the age of 17, Freud joined the medical facility at the University of Vienna to study a range of subjects, such as philosophy, physiology and zoology.

Freud graduated in 1881 and began working at the Vienna General Hospital. He worked in various departments, such as psychiatric clinic and also combined medical practise with research work – such as an influential paper on aphasia (1891) and the effects of cocaine (1984). Freud was initially an advocate of using cocaine for pain relief, though he later stopped advocating its use – as its dangers became increasingly known. Freud was also an early researcher into the field of cerebral palsy.

Whilst working in different medical fields Freud continued his own independent reading. He was influenced by Charles Darwin’s relatively new theory of evolution. He also read extensively Friedrich Nietsche’s philosophy. Other influences on Freud included works on the existence of the subconscious, by writers such as Brentano and Theodor Lipps. Freud also studied the practise of hypnosis, as developed by Jean-Martin Charcot

In 1886, Freud left his hospital post, and set up his own private clinic, specialising in nervous disorders. An important aspect of Freud’s approach was to encourage patients to share their innermost thoughts and feelings, which often lie buried in the subconscious. Initially, he used the process of hypnosis, but later found he could just ask people to talk about their experiences.

Freud hoped that by bringing the unconscious thoughts and feelings to the surface, patients would be able to let go of repetitive negative emotions and feelings. Another technique he pioneered was ‘transference’ where patients would project negative feelings of other people on to the psycho-analyst. Freud himself wrote about the personal cost of delving into the darker aspects of the subconscious.

More and source: http://www.biographyonline.net/scientists/sigmund-freud-biography.html

Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson was 28th President of the US from 1913 to 1921. He is best remembered for his role in the First World War – keeping the US out of the war, until reluctantly entering in 1917. At the end of the war, Woodrow Wilson formulated his 14 points, which sought to create an international League of Nations and institute principles of self-determination and justice as the basis for the armistice.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919.

Woodrow Wilson was also a progressive with attempts to control big business and end elitism in universities.

Life of Woodrow Wilson

He was born in December 28, 1856 in Staunton Virginia. His father identified with the confederacy and defended slavery. However, Woodrow Wilson did not share his father’s views on this, later writing.

Because I love the South, I rejoice in the failure of the Confederacy. March 1880).

In 1885, he married Ellen Louise Axon and together they had three daughters. Wilson studied at John Hopkins University and gained a PhD in history and political science. He went on to have a distinguished academic career becoming the principle of Princeton.

He felt the University of Princeton was underachieving – being held back by elitism and laid back standards. This led to a stand of with Wilson trying to tackle the elitist traditions of Princeton. This proved to be a bruising encounter and was a key factor in encouraging Wilson to turn to politics. He ran for governor of New Jersey in 1910 as a progressive candidate and he was nominated as the Democratic candidate at the 1912 Democratic convention. Winning the Presidency, Wilson embarked on a series of progressive legislation. This included:

• Graduated income tax.
• Anti trust legislation against big business and vested monopoly powers.
• Greater protection for labour, e.g. new restrictions on child labour.
• Federal Reserve act creating greater ability to increase money supply.

No country can afford to have its prosperity originated by a small controlling class.

The New Freedom, 1913.

Despite progressive social and economic policies, he expanded a policy of segregation and disappointed many African Americans who switched allegiance to the Democrat party who voted for Wilson on promises of equal rights. Wilson said on segregation:

“segregation is not a humiliation but a benefit, and ought to be so regarded by you gentlemen.”

In 1916, he narrowly won re-election campaigning on an anti-war stance.

However, after 1916, public opinion hardened against Germany. Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare, such as the sinking of the Lusitania, led to serious American casualties. Then in January 1917, the publication of the Zimmerman Telegram suggested Germany was willing to help Mexico regain territory in Southern US. By April 1917, Wilson had overcome his deep reluctance to go to war and asked congress to declare war on the government of Germany. Congress overwhelmingly supported the decision.

In 1917, the US army was very small, and to the Allies disappointment, it took time for the US army to make a difference on the western front. However, by 1918, the steady increase in number of American troops was beginning to make a difference, and helped to swing the balance against Germany. By November 1918, the Germans surrendered.

At the end of the war, Woodrow Wilson presented his 14 points to the Allies as a basis for a just armistice. 

More and source: http://www.biographyonline.net/nobelprize/woodrow-wilson.html

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States, serving from Jan 1981 to 1989. He was a Republican and was credited with a resurgence of American conservatism. He pursued a policy of neo-liberal economics – pursuing tax cuts, reduced government spending, and de-regulation. Towards the end of his presidency, he was involved in negotiations with Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev, which led to treaties reducing the nuclear capabilities of both countries and the ending of the Cold War. He also took an activist approach to protect US interest abroad including controversial decisions such as the bombing of Libya and the invasion of Grenada to reverse a Communist coup.

Early Life

Ronald Reagan was born 6 February 1911 in Tampico, Illinois. He attended Dixon High School where he gained an interest in acting and sports. He then attended Eureka College where he was elected president of the student body.

In the 1930s, Reagan gained work as a radio presenter commenting on baseball games. He made a strong impact because of his clear presentation and engaging voice. By 1937 he had moved to Hollywood where he gained a contract with Warner Brothers. He was a prolific actor appearing in 19 films by the end of 1939. Reagan later commented that with many films he worked, on directors were keen to get the film finished as quickly as possible.

In 1942 he starred in ‘Kings Row’ – a film about a double amputee. His performance received critical acclaim and it made him quite famous as a Hollywood actor. But, shortly after he was drafted into active service in the the U.S. Army. During the war, poor eyesight meant he was excluded from serving overseas. He worked in public relations and made several propaganda films and helped in the War loan drive to raise money for the war.

Reagan married for the first time in 1940, to actress Jane Wyman, having two children. Wyman later filed for divorce in 1948, not wishing to support Reagan’s political ambitions.

After the war, Reagan became president of the Screen Actors Guild. This involved representing actors in labour disputes; he also gave information to the FBI about actors with potential Communist sympathies.

It was as president of SAG that he met Nancy Reagan – ironically because Nancy had been mistakenly put on the list of ‘Communist sympathisers’. They married in 1952 and had two children – Patti and Ron.

Political career

Reagan began his political career as a Democrat. He supported Harry Truman in the 1948 election. However, his wife Nancy was a Republican, and in the 1950s, he drifted towards the Republican party. He supported the Presidential campaigns of Eisenhower (’52 and ’56) and Richard Nixon (1960)

In 1962, he formally joined the Republican party, stating that he didn’t leave the Democrat party, but the party left him.

Conservative beliefs

His political profile within the Republican movement rose sharply in 1964, when delivering a speech “Time for Choosing” for Presidential hopeful Barry Goldwater. Reagan stressed his philosophy which would characterise his political views. Reagan believed that government needed to be limited to prevent intrusion into individual liberties. Reagan was espousing a conservatism that would become popular in America. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and in the 1960s opposed some civil rights legislation on the grounds that people should have the freedom to discriminate in housing, if they wanted to. However, he claimed it was not from racist motives and when growing up in the segregated south had offered accommodation to black people who were unable to stay at a hotel.

Ronald Reagan later paid credit to Martin Luther King for the peaceful civil rights movement of the 1960s.

More and source: http://www.biographyonline.net/politicians/american/ronald-reagan-biography.html

Steve Jobs

Steven Paul Jobs – (Feb 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011)

Steve Jobs Short Bio

Steve Jobs was an American businessman and inventor who played a key role in the success of Apple computers and the development of revolutionary new technology such as the iPod, iPad and MacBook.

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.”

– Steve Jobs as quoted in The Wall Street Journal (Summer 1993).

Early Life

Steven Jobs was born in San Francisco, 1955, to two university students Joanne Schieble and Syrian born John Jandali. They were both unmarried at the time, and Steven was given up for adoption.

Steven was adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs, whom he always considered to be his real parents. Steven’s father Paul encouraged him to experiment with electronics in their garage. This led to a life long interest in electronics and design.

Steve Jobs attended a local school in California and later enrolled at Reed College, Portland, Oregon. His education was characterised by excellent test results and potential. But, he struggled with formal education and his teachers reported he was a handful to teach.

At Reed College he attended a calligraphy course which fascinated him. He later said this course was instrumental in Apple’s multiple typefaces and proportionally spaced fonts.

More and source: http://www.biographyonline.net/business/steve-jobs.html

Cleopatra

Cleopatra VII Philopator (69 BC – August 12, 30 BC) was an Egyptian Queen and the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Embroiled in the internal politics of the Roman Empire she was the lover of both Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony.

Cleopatra was born in around 69 BC. Her father Ptolemy XII died (in 51BC) when she was 18, leaving Cleopatra and her brother Ptolemy XIII as co-regents. As was the custom of the time Cleopatra married her brother and together they ruled Egypt. However, Ptolemy soon had Cleopatra exiled, leaving him in charge.

In 48 BC, the Roman empire was embroiled in a civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey. When Pompey fled to Alexandria, the capital of Egypt, he was murdered on the orders of Ptolemy.

Soon after, Julius Caesar came to Egypt where he met and fell in love with Cleopatra. With Caesar’s military strength and support, Ptolemy was overthrown, killed and Cleopatra was reinstalled as Queen. In 47BC, Cleopatra gave birth to Caesarion, though Caesar never publicly declared him to be his son.

For a time Cleopatra’s reign brought relatively stability to the region, bringing a degree of peace and prosperity to a country bankrupt by civil war. Although brought up to speak Greek like her family, she made an effort to learn Egyptian and later only spoke only in Egyptian. In 44BC, Julius Caesar was assassinated and the years following Caesar’s death led to a great power struggle between Mark Anthony and Caesar’s adopted son Octavian.

Despite being married to Octavian’s sister (Octavia), Mark Anthony began a relationship with Cleopatra, and together they had three children.  Octavian was able to worry Romans that Mark Anthony would give away Rome to this Egyptian Queen, who seemed to have Mark Anthony under her spell. It was also seen as a family insult that Mark Anthony was married to his sister, but was having an affair with Cleopatra. Together Cleopatra and Mark Anthony had three children.

The antagonism grew into civil war, and in 31BC, Cleopatra joined her Egyptian forces with the Roman forces of Mark Anthony and fought Octavian’s forces on the west coast of Greece.

Cleopatra and Mark Anthony were decisively beaten in battle, and scarcely escaped back to Egypt. However, Octavian’s forces pursued the couple and captured Alexandria in 30BC. With no chance of escape, Mark Anthony and Cleopatra both took their own lives, committing suicide on 12 August 30BC.  Octavian later had their son Caesarion strangled, ending the Cleopatra dynasty. Egypt became a province of the Roman Empire, and Cleopatra proved to be the last of the Egyptian Pharaohs.

More and source: http://www.biographyonline.net/women/cleopatra.html