Buzz Aldrin

NAME: Buzz Aldrin (born Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr.)

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Second person to walk on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.

Accomplished fighter pilot and astronaut with three spacewalks under his belt.

Advocate for space exploration and STEM education.

BIRTH: January 20, 1930, Montclair, New Jersey

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Father: Edwin Eugene Aldrin Sr., an Air Force colonel and aviation pioneer.

Mother: Marion Moon (maiden name), a homemaker.

Sister: Fay Ann Aldrin (later Dreier)

CHILDHOOD: He was described as bright and athletic, with an early interest in aviation.

Nicknamed "Buzz" by his sister due to her mispronunciation of "brother."

EDUCATION: Graduated from Montclair High School (1946).

Earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (1951).

In 1963, Aldrin wrote a doctoral thesis focused on "Line-of-Sight Guidance Techniques for Manned Orbital Rendezvous," to earn a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This expertise, combined with his work on rendezvous and docking techniques for spacecraft, led his fellow astronauts to give him the nickname "Dr. Rendezvous".

CAREER RECORD: A U.S. Air Force pilot, Aldrin flew 66 combat missions in the Korean War (1952-1953).

Aldrin was selected as a member of NASA's Astronaut Group 3, making him the first astronaut with a doctoral degree.

His first space flight was in 1966 on Gemini 12, during which he spent over five hours on extravehicular activity.

Three years later, Aldrin set foot on the Moon at 03:15:16 on July 21, 1969 (UTC), nineteen minutes after Neil Armstrong first touched the surface, while command module pilot Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit.

Aldrin retired from NASA in 1971 and served as commandant of the Aerospace Research Pilot School.

He retired from the Air Force in 1972 and pursued various business ventures.

APPEARANCE: Tall and athletic, with short brown hair and blue eyes.

FASHION: Practical and professional, favoring suits and casual attire.

 It's worth noting that Aldrin is often seen wearing his iconic space suit or astronaut attire during public appearances.

Aldrin in 1969

CHARACTER: Aldrin is described as intelligent, determined, and adventurous. He is known for his wit and down-to-earth personality.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: Enjoys puns and witty remarks. He is known for his lighthearted demeanor despite his serious accomplishments.

RELATIONSHIPS: He was married four times:

Joan Archer (1954-1974)

Beverly Van Zile (1975-1978)

Lois Driggs Cannon (1988-2012)

Anca Faur (2023-present)

Aldrin has three children: Janice, James, and Andrew.

MONEY & FAME: Aldrin has a comfortable lifestyle due to his career and public appearances.

FOOD & DRINK: He enjoys healthy and varied meals.

MUSIC & ARTS: Aldrin appreciates classical music and enjoys jazz. He has shown interest in space-themed art.

LITERATURE: Aldrin reads biographies, historical accounts, and science fiction. He is the author of several books about his life and experiences.

NATURE: He appreciates the beauty and vastness of space and enjoys exploring natural landscapes.

HOBBIES & SPORTS: He has actively participated in skiing, golf, and swimming and enjoys flying and reading.

SCIENCE & MATHS: Aldrin holds a doctorate in astronautics and has a strong understanding of scientific principles. He continues to advocate for STEM education and space exploration.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: A Presbyterian elder, Aldrin became the first person to hold a religious ceremony on the Moon when he privately took communion.

He is interested in existential questions but focuses more on the practical challenges of space exploration.

SCANDAL: Briefly faced controversy for punching a conspiracy theorist who denied the Moon landing.

MILITARY RECORD: He was commissioned into the United States Air Force and served as a jet fighter pilot during the Korean War, flying 66 combat missions and even shooting down two MiG-15 aircraft.

A distinguished Air Force pilot with numerous medals and commendations.

HEALTH & PHYSICAL FITNESS: Maintains good health and remains active despite his age.

His autobiographies, Return to Earth (1973) and Magnificent Desolation (2009), recount his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism after leaving NASA.

HOMES: Aldrin has lived in various locations throughout his career, including New Jersey, Texas, California, and Florida.

SPACE TRAVEL: Buzz Aldrin's three spacewalks during the Gemini 12 mission in November 1966 were a significant milestone in human spaceflight. These extravehicular activities (EVAs) showcased substantial advancements over previous attempts, laying the groundwork for future missions like Apollo.

The first EVA, a standup EVA on November 12, 1966, lasted 2 hours and 29 minutes. During this time, Aldrin positioned himself outside the spacecraft hatch, mounted a camera, and collected a micrometeorite experiment.

The second EVA, on November 13, 1966, was the most extensive, lasting 2 hours and 6 minutes. This EVA marked a significant step forward in spacewalking techniques. Aldrin completely exited the spacecraft, tethered by a 9-meter umbilical cord. He installed a handrail, moved along it to the adapter section, and performed various tasks using foot restraints and tethers. Notably, he attached a 30-meter tether between the Gemini adapter and the Agena target vehicle. To prevent exhaustion, Aldrin took regular rest periods.

The final EVA, another standup EVA on November 14, 1966, lasted 55 minutes. Aldrin conducted photography experiments, performed additional unspecified tasks, and jettisoned unused equipment.

Aldrin's successful EVAs, which overcame the challenges faced in previous missions, demonstrated the feasibility of humans working effectively outside spacecraft with proper preparation and equipment. These achievements were crucial for the success of subsequent space missions, including the historic Apollo program.

Buzz Aldrin's journey to the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission was a historic achievement that solidified his place in space exploration history. As the second person to walk on the lunar surface, Aldrin contributed significantly to one of humanity's greatest endeavors.

The Apollo 11 mission launched on July 16, 1969, from Kennedy Space Center. After a four-day journey, the crew entered lunar orbit on July 19. The following day, Aldrin and Armstrong boarded the Lunar Module Eagle, separating from the Command Module Columbia.

On July 20, 1969, the Eagle landed in the Sea of Tranquility. The descent was fraught with challenges, including overshooting the target landing site and encountering unexpected computer alarms. Armstrong had to manually pilot the lunar module to avoid a hazardous landing site, landing with minimal fuel remaining.

At 2:56 UTC on July 21, 1969, Armstrong became the first person to step onto the lunar surface, followed by Aldrin 20 minutes later. Aldrin's first words on the Moon were, "Beautiful view. Magnificent desolation." 

During their 2-hour and 31-minute moonwalk, they collected rock and soil samples, set up scientific experiments, planted the American flag, unveiled a commemorative plaque, and had a brief conversation with President Nixon.

After 21 hours on the lunar surface, Aldrin and Armstrong rejoined Collins in the Command Module. The crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 1969, concluding their 8-day mission.

Upon returning to Earth, the crew underwent a 21-day quarantine period. Interestingly, Aldrin claimed a modest $33.31 in travel expenses for his journey to the Moon and back.

Buzz Aldrin's lunar journey was a testament to human ingenuity and courage. His contribution to the Apollo 11 mission continues to inspire generations and remains a significant milestone in the annals of space exploration.

Extensive travel during his career, both in the military and as an astronaut. He continues to travel for speaking engagements and advocacy work.

POLAR TRAVEL: Buzz Aldrin added another feather to his cap on November 29, 2016. At the ripe old age of 86, he became the oldest person to set foot on the icy expanse of the South Pole. This audacious adventure, part of a tourist trip organized by White Desert, saw Aldrin journey from the warmth of South Africa to the frigid Antarctic.

However, his polar quest was cut short due to health complications. Aldrin developed fluid in his lungs and experienced symptoms of altitude sickness. As a precaution, he was evacuated from the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and flown to New Zealand for medical treatment.

Despite the setback, Aldrin's achievement was celebrated by his team. His manager, Christina Korp, joked that he'd be "insufferable now," a testament to Aldrin's competitive spirit. The Moonwalker recovered well and returned home, having added another extraordinary chapter to his already legendary life.

This South Pole expedition was not Aldrin's first polar adventure. He had previously visited the North Pole as a tourist in July 1998, making him the oldest person to visit both poles

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Aldrin's iconic image as an astronaut has led to numerous media appearances.

He has been featured in documentaries about the Apollo missions and space exploration.

Aldrin has also made appearances in television shows and films, often portraying himself or characters inspired by his experiences.

He is a popular interview subject and continues to advocate for space exploration in various media platforms.

ACHIEVEMENTS: His remarkable achievements span both space exploration and scientific research.

Aldrin's contributions to space exploration are significant. He made three spacewalks as the pilot of the 1966 Gemini 12 mission  Later, he became the Lunar Module Eagle pilot on the historic 1969 Apollo 11 mission, where he and mission commander Neil Armstrong were the first two people to land on the Moon. 

Beyond his space achievements, Aldrin played a critical behind-the-scenes role in solving some of the thorniest challenges of manned space flight. As the only astronaut with a Ph.D., he calculated complex maneuvers for docking two spacecraft in orbit.

Buzz Aldrin became the oldest person to ever reach the South Pole, when he visited it in November 2016 at the age of 86. 

Aldrin continues to advocate for space exploration, particularly a human mission to Mars. He even developed the concept of the Aldrin cycler, a special spacecraft trajectory that makes travel to Mars more efficient in terms of time and propellant 

Alcuin of York

NAME: Alcuin of York, also known as Flaccus Albinus Alcuinus, Ealhwine, Alhwin, or Alchoin

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Leading scholar and teacher at the court of Charlemagne, spearheading the Carolingian Renaissance.

Educational reformer, introducing standardized writing and curriculum across Europe.

Theologian and religious advisor, influencing liturgy and church practices.

Prolific writer, leaving behind hundreds of letters, poems, and educational treatises.

BIRTH: c. 735, York, Northumbria (exact date unknown)

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Limited details available. Likely from a modest landowning family.

CHILDHOOD: Alcuin spent his early years in York, likely under the care of his family.

EDUCATION: Alcuin received a top-notch education at the renowned York Minster School under Archbishop Ecgbert. He excelled in Latin, theology, and literature. Alcuin later became a monk and teacher there.

CAREER RECORD Alcuin became the head of the cathedral school of Yorkl in 778.

In 781, while returning from a visit to Rome, Alcuin met King Charles the Great (Charlemagne) in Parma. Charlemagne recognized Alcuin's scholarly abilities and invited him to join the royal court. Alcuin became one of Charlemagne's chief advisers on religious and educational matters. He was appointed head of the palace school at Aachen, attended by members of the royal court and noble families. There, he established a great library, revised church liturgy and the Bible, and helped restore Latin as a literary language .

In 796, Alcuin became abbot of St. Martin's monastery at Tours, where he continued his educational work by establishing a school and library. 

His influence extended beyond scholarly pursuits; Alcuin  acted as an English ambassador at Charlemagne's court, maintaining connections with both secular and ecclesiastical leaders through extensive letter writing. His correspondence addressed social issues, educational matters, and Church reform.

APPEARANCE & FASHION: No known portraits exist. Alcuin was described as tall and thin, with a gentle demeanor. He dressed modestly in clerical garb.

By © Hubertl / Wikimedia Commons

CHARACTER: Deeply religious, intellectually curious, and fiercely devoted to education. Alcuin was known for his humility, wit, and wisdom.

Alcuin was not an innovative thinker but excelled as a teacher and scholar. His ability to guide others through complex spiritual concepts inspired intellectual growth among his students. His writings included educational manuals, poetry, classical text copies, and numerous letters. His correspondence was highly valued and distributed to centers of learning.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: Enjoyed wordplay and riddles, employing humor in his teachings.

RELATIONSHIPS: Alcuin was a close friend and advisor to Charlemagne. He maintained strong connections with other scholars and church officials.

MONEY & FAME: Not interested in personal wealth. Alcuin was more concerned with the pursuit of knowledge and sharing it with others.

FOOD & DRINK: He practiced moderation, adhering to religious dietary guidelines.

MUSIC & ARTS: Alcuin appreciated music and poetry, incorporating them into his educational methods.

LITERATURE: He wrote extensively, including poetry, theology, and educational texts. Alcuin championed the study of classical literature.

NATURE: Alcuin found solace in nature, often using natural metaphors in his writings.

HOBBIES & SPORTS: Alcuin enjoyed reading, writing, and intellectual discourse.

SCIENCE & MATHS: He emphasized the importance of logic and reason in his teachings, but did not engage heavily in scientific or mathematical pursuits.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Alcuin was deeply influenced by Augustine and other Christian thinkers. He focused on practical theology and education rather than abstract philosophical debates.

HEALTH & PHYSICAL FITNESS: He maintained good health throughout his life.

HOMES: York Minster, Charlemagne's court in Aachen, Abbey of Saint Martin in Tours.

TRAVEL: Alcuin traveled extensively across Europe, visiting major centers of learning.

DEATH: Alcuin died  May 19, 804, Tours, France and was buried at St. Martin's Church, Tours.

He  produced the epitaph for his own gravestone, which reads “My name was Alchuine, and wisdom was always dear to me.”

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Featured in historical novels and documentaries.

ACHIEVEMENTS: Played a pivotal role in the Carolingian Renaissance, reviving classical learning and raising educational standards across Europe.

Standardized writing and curriculum, paving the way for improved communication and scholarship.

Influenced religious practices and liturgy, shaping the development of the Catholic Church.

Left a lasting legacy as a scholar, writer, and educator, inspiring generations to come.

Please note: Due to the limited historical information available, some details of Alcuin's life, such as his appearance, fashion, and personal relationships, remain unknown. This biography provides a general overview of his significant contributions and achievements.

Louisa May Alcott

NAME Louisa May Alcott

WHAT FAMOUS FOR A renowned novelist, best known for Little Women and its sequels, capturing the lives and dreams of young women in 19th-century America.

BIRTH November 29, 1832, Germantown, Pennsylvania

FAMILY BACKGROUND Louise's father, Amos Alcott, was a transcendentalist, philosopher and educator. His staunch adherence to his educational theories brought much disappointment and little money, as he couldn't establish a successful school. So Louisa had to work.

Amos Alcott once said "Sloth is the tempter that beguiles and expels from paradise." Also "Debate is angular, conversation circular and radiant of the underlying unity." Er yes... and "To be ignorant of one's ignorance is the melody of the ignorant." I bet he was a hit at dinner parties. Amos Alcott's educational theories were a mish mash of Socrates and Jesus. He established a series of schools aimed at stimulating thought and awakening the soul. One way of doing this was teachers receiving punishment from offending pupils. This apparently resulted in a sense of shame being installed in the errant children. Not surprisingly these innovations were not widely accepted.

After this he had spells working as a handyman. In between of which he had a failed Utopian community, Fruitlands, until Louisa's success brought him financial security. His writings were considered by most as yawnerama city.

Louisa's mother, Abigail May (Abba) was often the breadwinner as a social worker in Boston.

Louisa had one older sister, Anna and two younger, Lizzie and May.

CHILDHOOD Louisa spent her childhood in Boston and Concord, Massachusetts, where she was prone to periods of hyperactivity followed by days of depression and listlessness. A tomboy, Louisa liked climbing trees and leaping fences.

She grew up in the company of her father's friends, the essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson and the naturalist Henry David Thoreau. The future writer liked visiting Emerson's library, excursions into nature with Henry David Thoreau and theatricals in the barn at Hillside.

Emerson said prophetically of young Louisa Alcott's early attempts to write. "She is a natural source of stories... she is and is to be the poet of children."

EDUCATION Louisa was educated until the age of 16 by means of informal schooling from her father with the occasional help of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Her father's controversial conversational method of teaching was successful with Louisa.

CAREER RECORD 1849 Began taking on small jobs to support her impoverished family such as teaching small children and mending and washing laundry.
1852 Louisa Alcott's first poem Sunlight was published in Peterson's Magazine.
1855 Her first book was published, Flower Fables.
1860 Her verses and stories appear in the Atlantic Monthly.
1862-3 Works as a volunteer nurse during the Civil War at Georgetown Hospital
1867 Editor of young girl's magazine- Merrys Museum.

APPEARANCE Described as slender with dark hair and eyes, often wearing simple and practical clothing. Louisa had straight short hair with a v parting on her forehead.

Alcott, c. 1870

FASHION Not preoccupied with fashion, prioritizing comfort and practicality. She addressed as number of women's issues, including protesting against the corset.

CHARACTER Independent, passionate, and outspoken. Devoted to family and friends, known for her kindness and humor.

The heroine of Little Women, Jo, was a partial self portrait.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Witty and playful, enjoyed satire and wordplay

RELATIONSHIPS Louisa was close to her sisters and father, despite financial and philosophical differences. 

She never married, choosing independence and focusing on writing.

When her youngest sister May died in 1879, Louisa took her two year old daughter, Louisa May Nieriker ("Lulu"), into care.

MONEY AND FAME Louisa wrote when young, "I think I shall write books, and get rich and famous; that would suit me, so that is my favorite dream. " She originally turned to writing to support her impoverished family and earned $2,000 with her Hospital Sketches. 

By 1869 Louisa was able to write in her journal "Paid up all the debts thank the Lord." By the time of her death her book sales had reached the one million mark. And she'd realised $200,000 from her fiction.

She was ambivalent towards fame, valuing literary recognition over celebrity status.

INTERESTS FOOD AND DRINK Louisa's father was a pioneering vegan. His diet excluded meat, eggs, and all milk products and he drank only well water. The transcendentalist philosopher exchanged vegetarian recipes with Emerson and Thoreau.

Louisa appreciated simple, wholesome meals. Enjoyed coffee and tea, known to indulge in sweets occasionally.

MUSIC AND ARTS At the age of 15 Louisa was writing and producing amateur theatricals, which they performed in the barn at Hillside. After they'd moved to Orchard House in Concord, the family performed the plays, using the dining room as their stage while guests watched from the adjoining parlor. Later some of her melodramas were produced in Boston.

Louisa enjoyed playing the piano and attending theater performances. She supported other artists and advocated for arts education.

LITERATURE Louisa was a voracious reader and prolific writer across various genres. She drew inspiration from personal experiences and contemporary social issues.

Louisa, who could write with both her left and right hand, penned over 300 books in different genres. These included several racy pot boilers under a pseudonym A. M. Barnard, such as A Long Fatal Love Chase and Pauline's Passion and Punishment. These adult novels were of the type referred to in Little Women as "dangerous for little minds," so many decided to skip Lou's racy works.

Amongst her best known books are:
1854 Flowers Fables These were fairy stories Louisa made up to tell the pupils that she was teaching. She wrote a year later: "My book came out and people began to think that topsy-turvy Louisa would amount to something after all."
1863 Hospital Sketches. While serving as an army nurse during the American Civil War, Louisa wrote letters to her family that were later published as Hospital Sketches. This was her first book which got critical recognition.
1868 Little Women Louisa was urged by her publishers to write a book for girls. This largely autobiographical novel was penned in 6 weeks at Orchard House during the summer of 1868. The story about four teenage sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March growing up in a Victorian New England village was based on Louisa and her sisters coming of age. Jo March, who was a partial self portrait, was the first American juvenile heroine to be shown acting from her own individuality. An immediate success, the book instantly sold more than 2,000 copies and soon made her famous. It has since been translated into 20 languages.
1869 Little Women Part 2 The catchy titled sequel, which showed what happened to the March sisters when they reached adulthood (and weren't little women any longer). In Britain it was more logically titled Good Wives.
"Girls are so queer you never know what they mean. They say no when they mean yes and drive a man out of his wits for the fun of it." Little Women Part 2
1871 Little Men This book, which Louisa wrote in three weeks, whilst on vacation in Rome, continues the story of Jo.
1886 Jo's Boys. This completed the saga of the March girls.
1995 A Long Fatal Love Chase One of Louisa's more adult offerings, which I mentioned earlier, it was rejected by her publishers for being too racy. The manuscript lay undiscovered for a century only to be rediscovered and published in 1995.

NATURE The Alcott family took part in an experimental communal village known as Fruitlands. Here Louisa's father wanted to bring his daughters a greater understanding of nature.

Louisa found solace in nature, enjoying walks and appreciating the beauty of the outdoors.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Louisa loved writing, acting, and spending time with friends and family. She enjoyed hiking, dancing, and playing with children.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: Less inclined towards these subjects, though her writing touched on scientific advancements and societal progress.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Louisa devoted herself to social reform, temperance and women's suffrage movements.

She was influenced by transcendentalist values, emphasizing self-reliance, individualism, and spiritual connection. The American poet and humorist Richard Armour quipped in American Lit Relit that, "The Transcendentalists were a group of New Englanders who looked upon themselves as mystics and were looked upon by others as queer."

SCANDAL Some critics of Louisa who were put out by her progressive views claimed that she didn't want to write Little Women. Others maintained that the authoress despised young girls and wrote the best seller for the money.

MILITARY RECORD Louisa served as a nurse during the civil war in a union hospital at Georgetown, now part of Washington DC. 

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Louisa served as a military nurse during the Civil War and contacted typhoid pneumonia from the unsanitary conditions in the union hospital. The doctors used calomel, a drug laden with mercury to cure her. A side effect of her treatment was losing her hair and numerous mouth sores. 

Louisa never fully recovered her health and after returning home to Concord, Massachusetts, she suffered mental depressions and hallucinations in which a Spaniard clad in black leaps through her bedroom window at night. For the rest of her life, she was consistently tired and in constant pain caused at least partially by the demands of her family.

HOMES Louisa spent her childhood in Boston. She spent much of her life in Orchard House, Concord (not the plane but the place in Massachusetts). In her later years Louisa suffered ill health and she rented a room away from family home in order to be able to sleep without the use of drugs. Orchard House was made a memorial in 1911.

1834 Moved to Hillside in Concord, Massachusetts
1840 Moved to Concord where Ralph Emerson helped the Alcott family set up residence.
1843 Her father set up experimental communal village called Fruitlands in Harvard Massachusetts.
1845 Fruitlands failed. The Alcott family returned to Concord taking up residence at Hillside on April 1, 1845, when Louisa Alcott was 12,  Alcott family's time at "Hillside" was a significant period in Louisa's life, as it was there that she began to develop her love for writing and storytelling. On March 8, 1852, author Nathaniel Hawthorne finalized his purchase of the house for $1,500 from the Alcotts. He renamed it The Wayside.
1849 Moved to Boston
1857 Returned to Concord. Her father had purchased Orchard House (now 399 Lexington Road, Concord). The plot included two early eighteenth century houses on 12 acres of apple trees.
1862 Headed to union hospital at Georgetown, Washington DC to serve as nurse.
1863 Returned to Concord

1880 Moved to Boston with Lulu.
1885 Moved with what remained of her family to elegant Louisberg Square, Boston.

TRAVEL In 1865 Louisa used the proceeds of Hospital Sketches to pay for a trip to Europe. She travelled with a wealthy invalid. By 1870, after the success of Little Women, she was now wealthy enough to make a longer trip to Europe along with her sister, May.

DEATH Louisa died March 6, 1888, at the age of 55, on the day of her father's funeral. She succumbed to the lingering after-effects of mercury poisoning, contracted during her Civil War service. Louisa was buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery at Bedford Street in Concord, Massachusetts. Henry Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau can be found at the same cemetery.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA There have been a number of major film versions of Little Women, including two silent, a 1949 bore and three goodies, 1933 with Katherine Hepburn as Jo, 1995 with Winona Ryder as Jo and 2019 with Saoirse Ronan as Jo,. Ryder was Oscar nominated for her performance.

ACHIEVEMENTS Literary icon celebrated for her timeless novels with enduring themes of family, independence, and self-discovery.

Pioneering voice for women's rights and social justice through her writing and activism.

Inspiration for young readers and aspiring writers for generations.  Little Women and its sequels, Good Wives, Jo's Boys and Little Men were precursors of the Jackie Collins/Barbara Taylor Bradford's mini sagas.

She has a crater on Venus named after her.

Sources Cassells Book of Humorous Quotations (1969), Table Talk by Derek Nimmo, The Independent March 16, 1995, and of course Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisa_Alcott).

Prince Albert

NAME Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Full name Francis Charles Augustus Albert Emmanuel

WHAT FAMOUS FOR The Prince Consort and husband of Queen Victoria
"A is Prince Albert once buxom and keen
Who came from Germany and got spliced to the Queen."
(Alphabetical Song on the Corn Law Bill-anon)

BIRTH Prince Albert was born on August 26, 1819 in the German duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfield.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Albert was the second son of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. His family were connected to many of Europe's ruling monarchs. When Albert was four, his mother ran off with a German Baron. Albert and his elder brother, Ernest, spent their youth in a close companionship scarred by their parents' turbulent marriage and eventual separation; their adored mother, exiled from court and barred from seeing her children again due to her affair, died young, at the age 31, of cancer.

EDUCATION Albert received a good education, before attending the University of Bonn. There he studied natural science, political economy, and philosophy. His teachers included the philosopher Fichte and the poet Schlegel. He also studied music and painting and excelled in sports, especially in fencing and riding. After Prince Albert's death Framingham School in Suffolk was founded as a memorial to him. I know that as my father was educated there.

CAREER RECORD As Prince Consort Albert had no status in the constitution and he occupied a somewhat irregular position. A lacky filling in the census form for the royal family described his job as "husband." However, Albert was a hard worker throughout his time in England, writing endless memos to all and sundry. A more accurate job description would have been Advisor and Private Secretary to the Queen.
Among the entries on his CV would have been:
1841 Appointed Head of Commission to encourage the fine arts in Britain.
1847 Elected Chancellor of Cambridge University.
1851 Planned the Great Exhibition which made a profit of £186,000. It had 13,500 exhibitions and constituted at its time the largest assembly of people collected together for one purpose.

APPEARANCE Moustache and receding hairline. Large blue eyes. Dark hair. Broad shouldered. Victoria described him aged 20 as "beautiful blue eyes, exquisite nose and such a pretty mouth with delicate moustachios and slight but very slight whiskers."

Albert, Prince Consort 15 May 1860 J.J.E. Mayall

FASHION  Albert was a conservative dresser, favoring practicality and tradition. He originated a fashion for wearing a watch chain across a waistcoat from one pocket hole to the other.

The traditional black band on a Panama hat was added in mourning for Prince Albert after he died. Its been retained ever since.

CHARACTER Very sensible, hard working, efficient, attentive, kind, trustworthy and a little bit priggish. Victoria on Albert "He is an angel and his kindness and affection to me is really touching." Aah!

SENSE OF HUMOUR: Dry and intellectual, Albert enjoyed witty conversation and playful debates.

RELATIONSHIPS The idea of a marriage between Albert and his first cousin Victoria had always been cherished by their uncle, King Leopold I of Belgium, as well as Victoria's mother (Leopold's sister), Victoire, Duchess of Kent, and in May 1836 Albert, along with his father and brother paid a visit to Kensington Palace, where Princess Victoria of Kent, as she then was, lived, for the purpose of meeting her.

The visit did not by any means suit Victoria's uncle, King William IV, who disapproved of the match with his heir, and favoured Prince Alexander of Orange. But Princess Victoria knew of Leopold's plan, and William's objections went for naught.

In her diary Princess Victoria noted that she was attracted by his intellect and also by his “exquisite nose and delicate moustachios.” The parties undertook no formal engagement, but privately understood the situation as one which would naturally develop in time.

After Victoria came to the throne on June 20, 1837, her letters show her interest in Albert's being educated for the part he would have to play. In the winter of 1838 - 1839 the prince travelled in Italy, accompanied by the Queen's confidential adviser.

In October 1839 he and Ernest went again to England to visit the Queen, with the object of finally settling the marriage. She summoned Albert one afternoon and with characteristic directness proposed marriage herself as she was sure Albert would never have taken such a liberty as to propose to the Queen of England. They became definitely engaged on October 15th 1839 and the Queen made a formal declaration of her intention to marry to the Privy Council on November 23rd.

They were married in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace on February 10, 1840 and had a two day honeymoon at Windsor Castle.

It proved to be a good match and the couple were devoted to each other. Victoria and Albert had nine children together. 

Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise (1840-1901), Princess Royal

Edward Albert (1841-1910), later King Edward VII

Alice Maud Mary (1843-1878)

Alfred Ernest Albert (1844-1900)

Helena Augusta Victoria (1846-1923)

Louise Caroline Alberta (1848-1939)

Arthur William Patrick Albert (1850-1942)

Leopold George Duncan Albert (1853-1884)

Beatrice Mary Victoria Feodore (1857-1944)

The clip below is taken from ITV's 1975 Emmy winning production of Edward the Seventh.

MONEY AND FAME Albert was astute financially, making a lot of money for the royal family. Their fortune today originated from Albert's efforts. For instance, the estates of the Duchy of Cornwall, the hereditary property of his son, the Prince of Wales, improved so greatly under his father's management that the rent receipts rose from £11,000 pounds to £50,000 per year. 

He wasn't particularly interested in personal fame, prioritizing responsibility over publicity.

FOOD AND DRINK Albert appreciated simple, healthy meals. He enjoyed wine and champagne on special occasions.

Victoria and Albert's wedding cake was 9 feet around, weighed 300 pounds and was 14 inches high. It was served at the wedding breakfast.

A giant wheel of Cheddar cheese was given to the Queen for a wedding gift. It weighed 1,200 pound and two Somerset villages combined to make it.

MUSIC AND ARTS Albert had very good taste in art, far better than his missus. The 1911 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica illustrates his sense of the artistic . "One day the prince had a conversation with a great manufacturer of crockery and sought to convert him to the idea of issuing something better than the eternal willow-pattern in white with gold, red, or blue, which formed the staple of middle and lower class domestic china. The manufacturer held out that new shapes and designs would not sell; but the Prince Consort induced him to try, and he did so with such a rapid success that it revolutionised the china cupboards of Britain."

Albert was also a talented composer of both sacred pieces such as Te Deum in C, which was sang at Victoria's 60th celebration anniversary celebration of her reign and various piano songs that were said to be reminiscent of Mendelssohn and Schubert.

CHRISTMAS Prince Albert introduced the German habit of erecting a Christmas tree. Published pictures, that were featured in the Illustrated London News, of the Royal Family around a Christmas tree draped with candles, presents and sweets, proved influential in igniting the spark of modern Christmas celebration as a family event.
Christmas pudding became a proper tradition in the 19th century when Prince Albert, a fan, introduced it to the royal Christmas.

LITERATURE: Well-read in various languages, with a preference for history, philosophy, and poetry.

NATURE: Albert enjoyed outdoor activities like walking and hiking. Appreciated the beauty and importance of natural landscapes.

Albert and Victoria had a dog called Eos.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Albert enjoyed riding horses and attending shooting events.

Albert had a special interest in education and science and was the inspiration behind the Science Museum in London. His interest in applying science and art to manufacturing industry bore fruit in the 1851 Great Exhibition. The surplus of £186,000 that the Great Exhibition raised, resulted in a number of educational and cultural institutions. These included what would later be named the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Albert Hall, which was originally conceived by him as a hall of art and sciences. The latter was officially opened by Queen Victoria on March 29, 1871.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: Albert was deeply interested in scientific advancements and technological innovations. He supported scientific research and exploration.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Albert had a non denominational, relaxed attitude to religion. He stressed good works rather than professions of faith.

Many credit Prince Albert with introducing the principle that the British Royal Family should remain above politics. Before his marriage to Victoria the Royal Family supported the Whigs; early in her reign Victoria managed to thwart the formation of a Tory government by Sir Robert Peel by refusing to accept substitutions which Peel wanted to make among her ladies-in-waiting.

SCANDAL Originally British people were suspicious of Albert because of his German connections. A satirical verse at the time went:
"I am a German just arrived
With you to be mingling
My passage it was paid
From Germany to England
To wed your blooming Queen
For better or worse I take her
My father is a duke
And I'm a sausage maker."

Later on opinion was divided between those who regarded him as a meddling foreigner and those who valued his hard work.

Though rumors of infidelity existed, they were never confirmed, and his reputation remained mostly untarnished.

MILITARY RECORD: Albert held honorary military positions but did not actively participate in warfare.

Though the English parliament refused to give the German Prince Consort a rank in the army, he did help reorganise the army training plan during the Crimean War and played a principal part in averting war with the USA in 1861.

He showed his bravery by shielding the Queen when an assassin shot at her in an open carriage.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Generally healthy throughout life, though suffered from typhoid fever in his youth. However, Albert drove himself too hard trying to win over the public and he became physically weaker towards the end of his life

He had a chronic inability to stay awake once it got to late evening, which lead to a number of embarrassing incidents at various public functions.

HOMES Albert grew up Ehrenburg Palace in Coburg, Germany. Once married to Victoria they lived primarily at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle

Their winter home was Osbourne Castle on the Isle of Wight. Albert designed it, together with Thomas Cubitt, as an Italian villa.

TRAVEL Traveled extensively across Europe, visiting various countries and meeting foreign dignitaries.

Albert and Victoria loved the Highlands of Scotland and brought Balmoral Castle rebuilding it in Scottish baronial style. The British Royal Family still spend some time each year there.

DEATH Prince Albert died on December 14, 1861 of typhoid fever at Windsor Castle. He had gone up to Cambridge to admonish the future Edward VIII against laziness and fell ill there. The Queen’s court physician, Sir James Clarke, originally diagnosed no more than a nasty cold. It was only after the death of the Prince Consort that Clarke admitted that in hindsight maybe there were typhoid symptoms.

Every day for 40 years after his death, Victoria ordered that Albert's clothes be laid afresh on his bed in his suite at Windsor Castle. Queen Victoria never really recovered from his death and was in continual mourning. The Albert memorial is a shrine to his memory at Windsor Castle. Later Victoria was buried alongside him at Frogmore, Berkshire.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Among the films in which Prince Albert has been portrayed are: Victoria the Great 1937 Played by Anton Walbrook
Sixty Glorious Years 1938 Played by Anton Walbrook (again)
The Lady with a Lamp 1951 Played by Peter Graves
Young Victoria 2009 Played by Rupert Friend

In the 1975 Emmy winning TV drama series Edward the Seventh, he was played by Robert Hardy. In the 2016-19 British historical television drama series Victoria he was played by Tom Hughes

ACHIEVEMENTS Modernized and reformed aspects of British society.

Promoted peace and diplomacy on the international stage.

Played a pivotal role in the Great Exhibition and other cultural advancements.

Left a lasting legacy as a dedicated and influential Prince Consort.

The title of Prince Consort of Great Britain was conferred in 1857 on Albert.
Albert is the only British Consort to have had a memorial (Albert Memorial) and a public building (Royal Albert Hall) dedicated to his name.
Prince Albert in Central Saskatchewan, Canada, was named after him, as was Lake Albert in Africa .
The Albert is a short kind of watch, which was named after Queen Victoria's hubby.

Sources The Faber Book of English History in Verse by Kenneth Baker, People's Almanac Presents the Book of Lists #3 by Amy Wallace, David Wallechinsky and Irving Wallace, The Daily Mail December 23, 2008, Food For Thought (Extraordinary Little Chronicles of the World) by, erm, me and a few bits were nicked from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Albert)