other figures library

 

From artists to philosophers to politicos, check out these articles and learn about Europe's famous and infamous figures.

Featured Article:  How did Rasputin really die?

He'd been shot in the back, had no pulse, and yet those piercing green eyes opened wide when his murderers shook his limp body. Why wouldn't the bearded mystic die? See more »

Francois Noel Babeuf

Babeuf, Francois Noël (1760–1797), a French revolutionary and social philosopher.

See more »

George Jeffreys

Jeffreys, George, First Baron Jeffreys of Wem (1648–1689), an English jurist. Jeffreys became a barrister in 1668.

See more »

Godfrey of Bouillon

Godfrey of Bouillon, (1061?–1100), a French noble and a leader in the First Crusade.

See more »

Henry the Lion

Henry the Lion (1129–1195), a German nobleman. He was duke of Saxony, 1142–80, and duke of Bavaria, 1156–80.

See more »

Hernando Cortez

Cortez, or Cortés, Hernando, Hernán, or Fernando (1484–1547), the Spanish conqueror of Mexico.

See more »

Iron Mask

Iron Mask, Man in the, a mysterious state prisoner of France during the reign of Louis XIV.

See more »

Jack Cade

Cade, Jack (died 1450), the leader of a rebellion in England. Little is known of his origin.

See more »

Jean Lambert Tallien

Tallien, Jean Lambert (1767–1820), a leader of the French Revolution. As a member of the radical Jacobin Club he took an active part in the Reign of Terror under the leadership of Danton and Robespierre.

See more »

Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc (French: Jeanne d'Arc ) (14121431), a French national heroine and a saint of the Roman Catholic church.

See more »

Menendez de Aviles

Menéndez de Avilés, Pedro (1519–1574), a Spanish mariner and colonial official.

See more »

Michael Davitt

Davitt, Michael (1846–1906), an Irish political leader. He was active in a number of groups seeking to gain Ireland's independence from British rule.

See more »

Miklos Horthy

Horthy, Miklós von Nagybáya (1868–1957), regent of Hungary, 1920–44. Horthy was commander in chief of the Austro-Hungarian navy in the latter part of World War I.

See more »

Rob Roy

Rob Roy, the nickname of Robert MacGregor (1671-1734), a Scottish Highlands chief and outlaw.

See more »

Robert Harley

Harley, Robert, First Earl of Oxford (1661–1724), a British statesman. Harley began his career as a Whig and ended as a Tory.

See more »

Rurik

Rurik, (died 879), a Viking chief who was the traditional founder of what became Russia.

See more »

Sebastian de Belalcazar

Belalcázar), Sebastián de, the assumed name of Sebastián Moyano (1495?–1551?), a Spanish conquistador.

See more »

Sir Francis Drake

Drake, Sir Francis (1540?-1596), an English navigator. Drake was the first Englishman to sail around the world, and he was a commander of the English fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada.

See more »

Sir Henry Havelock

Havelock, Sir Henry (1795–1857), a British army officer. During the Indian Mutiny in 1857 Havelock distinguished himself by leading a small force that fought its way through numerically superior enemy forces to reinforce the besieged British garrison at Lucknow.

See more »

Sir Henry Morgan

Morgan, Sir Henry (1635-1688), an English sailor who was a leader of the buccaneers, adventurers who raided Spanish shipping and colonies during the 17th century.

See more »

Sir Samuel Argall

Argall,, Sir Samuel (1580?-1626?), an English adventurer, active in early Virginia.

See more »