Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) is one of the greatest composers in history. His work marked a turning point for composers, who had previously written primarily for religious services, to teach, or to entertain at social functions. But Beethoven’s …[Continue]
Biographies Resources
Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini (March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1926) was a legendary twentieth-century American magician, escape artist, contortionist and showman. Born Erich Weiss in Budapest, Hungary, he immigrated to the U.S. with his parents in 1878. Here’s where his spirit …[Continue]
Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth (born Isabella Baumfree) was one of the best-known abolitionists of the nineteenth century. Born a slave in New York in approximately 1797, she was freed in 1828. She took the name Sojourner Truth in 1843 when she began …[Continue]
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was a leading Austrian composer of the late eighteen century. He was only five years old when he wrote his first minuet, six when he performed before royalty, and eight when he wrote his first symphony. …[Continue]
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was an American poet and short-story author, known as a master of the macabre, but also credited with pioneering work in the detective genre and science fiction. Born in Boston, MA, Poe was orphaned at an …[Continue]
Mark Twain
Mark Twain (born Samuel Langhorne Clemens on November 30, 1835) is one of America’s greatest authors and humorists. He was celebrated in his time, and despite being frequently banned, is still read on campuses today. Of “The Adventures of Huckleberry …[Continue]
Wright Brothers
On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers made the world’s first flight in a power-driven, heavier-than-air machine that cost about $1000 to build. With Orville at the controls and Wilbur on the ground, the plane flew 120 feet in twelve …[Continue]
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein, known as one of the greatest scientists of all time, was born on March 14, 1879 in Ulm, Germany. The following sites explore his life and his work. I was struck by how accessible Einstein’s theories can be …[Continue]
Susan B. Anthony
Susan Brownell Anthony (1820-1906) was a tireless leader of the women’s rights movement, fighting over fifty years for women’s suffrage (the right to vote), equal education, property rights and even dress reform. In 1851, she met Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who …[Continue]
Carter G. Woodson
Despite his humble beginnings, historian Carter G. Woodson (1875 – 1950), the son of slaves, earned a Ph.D. from Harvard. He is known as the father of Black History Month and for his scholarly work promoting the accomplishments of African …[Continue]
