Tuesday 28 April 2009
Attila the Hun
WHAT FAMOUS FOR King of the Huns and the scourge of Rome.
BIRTH b406 Hajdúböszörmény in Hungary
FAMILY BACKGROUND Young Attila was a member of the ruling family of the Huns. His warlord dad Rugila was a major factor in the Huns' early victories over the Roman Empire
CHILDHOOD Little is known of Attila's early life.
EDUCATION Attila was illiterate.
CAREER RECORD Here's Attila's CV
434 Attila succeeded his father as joint chieftain. For a time he ruled jointly with his elder brother Bleda but murdered him in 445. Evidently Attila was not a great believer in family values.
451 Attila leads the Huns into Gaul but is defeated by the Roman and Visigoth forces.
452 Attila raids Italy and retreats to Hungary.
Monty Python summed up a typical working day for Attila as follows:
Mr's Attila the Hun: "Have a busy day at the office?"
Attila: "Not at all bad. Another merciless sweep across central Europe."
APPEARANCE The Huns were of Mongol origin and Attila would have been yellow faced, with a thin beard, long and plaited hair and heavy moustache and a face deliberately scarred in boyhood. Priscus, a historian who travelled with Maximin on an embassy from Theodosius II in 448 described Attila as a Hun but no hunk. He said he was: "Short of stature, with a broad chest and a large head; his eyes were small, his beard thin and sprinkled with grey; and he had a flat nose and a swarthy complexion, showing the evidences of his origin." According to an evidently bitter Roman, he was a "hideous dwarf who rolled his eyes fiercely."
FASHION It was customary for Germanic leaders of Attila's day to powder their hair and moustache with gold dust. Others used goats grease and beech timber ashes to give their hair a glowing red colour. Attila probably did this. Attila would have worn short fitted tunics and either short breeches or cross-gartered trousers and crude leather shoes. When cold, he would have covered himself in an animal skin.
Attila was not interested in jewellery himself unlike some of his chieftains.
The Romans complained how much Attila and his fellow Huns smelled. The Barbarians had not got into the Roman habit of bathing.
CHARACTER The scourge of God was not necessarily overcharged in the meathead department. In short, he was a toughie but was kind to women and children. As the Huns were illiterate and his enemies wrote all the accounts of Attila he got a biased anti-Attila press.
So frightening was the the sound of Attila and his fellow Huns approaching that even Daleks would flee under the bed.
SENSE OF HUMOUR Not a fun Hun, the jokes about his height must have got Attila down.
RELATIONSHIPS Despite being short, squat, ugly Attila acquired 12 wives. Among his hunneys was Honoria, the sister of the western emperor Valentinian Honoria, the sister of the western emperor Valentinian III. The story goes that in 450 Attila proclaimed his intent to attack the Visigoth kingdom of Toulouse. Honoria appealed to him in despair to rescue her from an arranged marriage to an elderly Roman senator by marrying her himself. As a dowry he expected half of the western empire. When this was refused Attila stroppily invaded Gaul.
Attila's 12th wife was Ildico, a beautiful German. However he died on their wedding night. Unsurprisingly it was the last of his marriages.
Attila's sons Ellak (his appointed successor), Dengizik, and Ernak fought over his legacy and, were defeated and scattered the following year in the battle of Nedao.
"I want you kids to get a head" Monty Python
MONEY AND FAME Attila lived in relative simplicity. However he regularly extorted vast sums in tribute from the Eastern Roman Empire and won a lot of plunder for his fellow Huns. For example the emperor of the Eastern empire promised to pay 700 pounds of gold each year to Attila and his hordes as payment for not attacking his empire. When the emperor missed some of his payments Attila invaded the region with some devastating consequences. The emperor was forced to increase his tribute.
FOOD AND DRINK According to the Romans the Huns drank blood. In fact Attila and his fellow Huns lived on the roots of such herbs as they could get or on the half-raw flesh of any animal which they merely warmed by rapidly placing it between their own thighs and the backs of their horses.
The historian Priscus was sent as emissary to Attila's encampment in 448. He reported that Attila ate off a wooden plate whilst his chieftains ate off silver plates. Said Priscus: "A luxurious meal, served on silver plate, had been made ready for us and the barbarian guests, but Attila ate nothing but meat on a wooden trencher. In everything else, too, he showed himself temperate; his cup was of wood, while to the guests were given goblets of gold and silver."
As for Attila's drinking habit- put it this way if he was alive today I wouldn't dare offer him a short at the bar.
MUSIC AND ARTS Attila's hordes massacred and looted and burned their way across Europe. Then they reached the Roman empire. In Italy Attila occupied the Imperial Palace in Milan where he had all the paintings altered to show the Roman Emperor kneeling at his feet. So nah-he was probably not a culture vulture- they weren't called barbarians for nothing. However Priscus reports that Attila and his Huns did enjoy a sing-song: "When evening began to draw in, torches were lighted, and two barbarians came forward in front of Attila and sang songs which they had composed, hymning his victories and his great deeds in war. And the banqueters gazed at them, and some were rejoiced at the songs, others became excited at heart when they remembered the wars, but others broke into tears—those whose bodies were weakened by time and whose spirit was compelled to be at rest."
NATURE Attila and his fellow Huns treated their swift steppe horses well.
HOBBIES AND SPORTS Attila was a skilled archer. He and his fellow Huns shot their arrows from horseback at full gallop with unerring accuracy.
PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Despite not being an obvious candidate for the Nobel peace prize, Attila had a fairly superficial Arian Christian faith which at least helped him to maintain certain high standards of Christian morality. Most of the conquering Barbarian tribes were in fact Arian Christians, so much church property was left unransacked, as they had tremendous reference for Christian relics and treasures.
Attila was referred to as the “Scourge of God” by the Romans, as they believed that he was a punishment sent for sinful Christians by God.
In 451 when Attila was on the march in Gaul the French withdrew more and more inside their country until it seemed Paris would fall. However a Christian girl, Genevieve promised the Parisians that if they prayed to God and didn't flee Attila would not come. He didn't. He was defeated at Châlons-sur-Marne and was forced to retreat. The Parisians rejoiced and Genevieve was canonised.
Attila was an autocratic ruler. He planned his campaigns without the help of any others.
SCANDAL On top of all that rampaging and destructing and being the "Scourge of God" Attila murdered his brother to gain sole control of the Hunnish empire.
MILITARY RECORD Being a Barbarian one pictures Attila being as brain empty as Mother Hubbard's cupboard but he was an astute military leader even though most of his victories were over weaker enemies. (On the massive map opposite, Attila's empire in 450 is marked in yellow).
447 Advanced through Illyria and devastated the whole region between the Black and Mediterranean Seas tearing into the opposing armies like Edward Scissorhands. Constantinople was saved as the Huns were not interested in besieging great cities.
451 Attila and his Huns invaded Gaul but was defeated by the Roman and Visigoth armies at the plains of Châlons-sur-Marne, near Troyes in one of the most terrible, bloody battles in history.
Attila retreated to the Rhine then turned his attention to Italy where after devastating North Italy, Rome was threatened. Only the personal intervention of the charismatic Pope Leo I prevented the sacking of Rome. However Attila's little secret was that he had already made up his mind to withdraw due to epidemics in his army and widespread famine. The timely intervention of the Pope helped him to save face.
HOMES When not ravaging and pillaging Europe, Attila was based in a wooden palace in the tiny village of Tápiószentmárton in central Hungary.
TRAVEL Attila saw a lot of central Europe on horseback.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS In battle the Barbarians made the Romans suffer from whooping goths ho ho.
DEATH d453 on the night of his marriage to the beautiful German Ildico, whilst making plans to invade Constantinople. There are conflicting accounts that he was poisoned, had a severe nosebleed or according to the Roman Count Marcellinus "pierced by the hand and blade of his wife." When Attila died, his troops cut his hair and slashed their faces " to mourn with blood rather than tears." The unfortunate men who buried him and his treasures were put to death so that his burial place would remain unknown.
After the demise of Attila, the Huns were absorbed into the surrounding population. Indeed the Visigoths and Vandals had more permanent impact.
APPEARANCES IN MEDIA 1. Attila was played by that most Hun-like actor Jack Palance in Sign of the Pagan 1954 (see YouTube clip). The same year Anthony Quinn portrayed him in a Franco-Italian movie Attila, with Sophia Loren playing Honoria.
2. Verdi wrote an opera in 1846 called, yep, Attila.
3. The Beach Boys song "Barbara Ann" is about a girl called Barbara Ann not the Barbarians.
ACHIEVEMENTS 1. Attila successfully conquered large areas of territory.
2. Attila indirectly founded a great city. The story goes that families fleeing Attila and his hordes ended up in a series of mudbanks within a lagoon at the head of the Adriatic Sea. They stayed there, the settlement grew and it became Venice.
3. Attila is a national hero even today in Hungary where he is known as Ethele.
4. Margaret Thatcher used to be nicknamed Attila the Hen
Sources (1) Chronicle of the World
(2) 100 Great Kings and Queens and Rulers of the World
(3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attila
Wednesday 8 April 2009
Francis Asbury
NAME Francis Asbury
WHAT FAMOUS FOR Francis Asbury was a prominent figure in early American Methodism and is known for his role as one of the first two bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. He is Often referred to as the "Prophet of the Long Road" or the "Bishop without a Diocese."
BIRTH Francis Asbury was born on August 20, 1745, in Hamstead Bridge, Staffordshire, England.
FAMILY BACKGROUND He was born into a working-class family, with his father Joseph Asbury working as a gardener and his mother Elizabeth Asbury taking care of the household.
CHILDHOOD Asbury grew up in humble surroundings in England, where he developed a strong sense of religious devotion from a young age.
EDUCATION He had a limited formal education due to working as a blacksmith's apprentice. Despite his limited formal education, Asbury was a voracious reader and self-taught scholar, with a particular interest in theology and Christian literature.
CAREER RECORD Asbury's career was devoted to spreading Methodism in the American colonies. He arrived in America in 1771 as a Methodist preacher and spent the rest of his life traveling extensively throughout the country, preaching, establishing churches, and organizing Methodist societies.
His resume reads:
Licensed Methodist preacher at 18
Became an ordained traveling preacher (circuit rider) at 21
Volunteered for missionary work in America in 1771
Appointed joint superintendent of Methodist work in America in 1774 (later became the sole superintendent)
Elected the first Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America in 1784
APPEARANCE Asbury was described as having a slender to medium build, with a plain and unassuming appearance that reflected his humble nature. Of average height , Asbury had piercing blue eyes and a strong jawline.
John Paradise - Francis Asbury |
FASHION Asbury dressed modestly, typically wearing plain and practical clothing befitting his role as a preacher travelling long distances on horseback
CHARACTER Asbury was known for his piety, dedication, and unwavering commitment to his faith. He was also admired for his humility and selflessness.
SENSE OF HUMOUR While Asbury was deeply serious about his religious mission, he also had a warm and approachable demeanor. He was known to use humor in his sermons to make a point or connect with his audience.
RELATIONSHIPS Asbury formed close friendships with fellow Methodist leaders, including John Wesley and Thomas Coke, with whom he worked closely to establish and expand Methodism in America.
Asbury was celibate and devoted his life to his ministry.
MONEY AND FAME Asbury lived a simple and frugal lifestyle, with any money he received typically being used to support his missionary work and the Methodist cause.
He refused to accept a salary and traveled on horseback, often staying with families along the way.
Famous for his dedication and leadership, but not interested in personal wealth or recognition.
FOOD AND DRINK Asbury adhered to a simple diet, often subsisting on basic fare such as bread, vegetables, and tea.
MUSIC AND ARTS He appreciated music as a means of worship but did not have a particular interest in the arts beyond their role in religious expression. Hymns played a significant role in Methodist worship services.
LITERATURE Asbury was well-versed in the Bible and other theological works, which formed the basis of his preaching and teaching.
NATURE Asbury found solace and inspiration in the natural world, often incorporating references to nature into his sermons and writings.
HOBBIES AND SPORTS Asbury's primary focus was on his religious duties, leaving little time for leisure activities or hobbies.
SCIENCE AND MATHS While not his area of expertise, Asbury recognized the importance of education and intellectual inquiry, particularly within the context of religious study.
PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Asbury was a devout Christian who firmly believed in the principles of Methodism. He emphasized personal conversion, evangelism, living a holy life and social justice.
When Francis Asbury rolled into the colonies in 1771, je was a man with a mission and a horse with serious wanderlust. He wasn't there for sightseeing or sipping tea with the Boston Brahmins. No, Asbury had a far more ambitious plan: to spread Methodism across the sprawling frontier like wildfire.
His weapon of choice? Circuit riding. Think of it as the Uber of evangelism. Asbury would pick a region, then gallop from town to town, preaching the Methodist message with the fervor of a tent revivalist on a triple espresso. Thousands of miles he clocked each year, a tireless circuit rider crisscrossing the colonies like a spiritual Pony Express.
Now, Asbury wasn't a dictator. He wasn't some power-hungry bishop lording over his flock. He empowered local preachers, these lay folks who shared his passion. But Asbury wasn't handing out participation trophies. These weren't your leisure-suit-wearing preachers. No sir, Asbury demanded dedication. Up at 4 am for Bible study, hitting the streets by 5 am to catch folks on their way to work – that was the life of a Methodist lay reader. Talk about hardcore.
By 1784, things were getting official. Methodism was booming, but there was a bit of a snag. The American Revolution had severed ties with the Church of England, leaving American Methodists without the sacraments – baptism, communion, the whole shebang. Enter John Wesley, Methodism's founding father, who decided enough was enough. He ordained his buddy Thomas Coke, a Church of England priest, to ordain Asbury and be his co-superintendent for the American Methodists. With a laying on of hands (very official-sounding), Methodism in America got its long-awaited legitimacy.
The Ordination of Bishop Asbury, an engraving of an 1882 painting of the scene |
And then came the boom. The 1784 Christmas Conference marked the birth of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a homegrown American denomination. With Asbury at the helm, Methodism exploded. From a measly 500 or so members, the church ballooned to over 200,000 by the time Asbury shuffled off this mortal coil in 1816.
SCANDAL There are no known scandals associated with Asbury's life or ministry.
MILITARY RECORD Asbury was not involved in the American Revolution.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Asbury's rigorous travel schedule and demanding preaching itinerary took a toll on his health, but he remained committed to his work despite physical challenges.
HOMES Asbury lived a nomadic lifestyle, often staying in the homes of fellow Methodists or in rudimentary accommodations while traveling.
TRAVEL Asbury wasn't picky about his pulpit. Courthouses, taverns, tobacco barns – wherever he could find a crowd, Asbury would preach. He was a circuit-riding dynamo who rode an average of 6,000 miles a year, spreading the Methodist message to remote areas and pioneer new church communities.
DEATH Francis Asbury passed away on March 31, 1816, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, United States.
APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Asbury's life and legacy have been celebrated in numerous books, articles, and documentaries, highlighting his pivotal role in the expansion of Methodism in America.
ACHIEVEMENTS Asbury's most significant achievement was his instrumental role in establishing Methodism as a major religious movement in the United States.
Ordained thousands of preachers and helped spread Methodism westward across the frontier.
Championed social justice and spoke out against slavery.
Tuesday 7 April 2009
King Arthur
King Arthur by Charles Ernest Butler (1903) |
Arthur receiving the later tradition's sword Excalibur in N. C. Wyeth's illustration for The Boy's King Arthur (1922), |
The Round Table experiences a vision of the Holy Grail, an illumination by Évrard d'Espinques (c. 1475 |
(b) Camelot (1960). The film version of the 1960 musical with Richard Harris as the king.
Sunday 5 April 2009
Chester A. Arthur
NAME Chester A. Arthur
WHAT FAMOUS FOR Chester A. Arthur was the 21st President of the United States, serving from 1881 to 1885. He is known for his efforts to reform the civil service system and for his role in advocating for civil rights for African Americans.
BIRTH Chester Alan Arthur was born on October 5, 1829, in Fairfield, Vermont, United States. He was named "Chester" after Chester Abell, the physician and family friend who assisted in his birth, and "Alan" for his paternal grandfather.
FAMILY BACKGROUND Arthur was the son of William Arthur, an abolitionist preacher in the Free Will Baptists denomination, a group of people that believe in free grace, free salvation and free will, and Malvina Stone Arthur. His father immigrated to the United States from Ireland, while his mother was born in Vermont. Arthur's family had modest means but placed a strong emphasis on education and moral values.
CHILDHOOD Arthur spent his childhood in Vermont, where he was raised in a household deeply involved in community affairs and the anti-slavery movement.
EDUCATION He attended Union College in Schenectady, New York, where he excelled academically and developed an interest in law.
CAREER RECORD After completing his education, Arthur moved to New York City to pursue a career in law. After a detour into education, where Arthur briefly held the grand title of Principal at the rather modestly sized North Pownal Academy (think classrooms in his dad's church basement), destiny took a turn. Arthur, by some twist of fate, ended up as the lawyer for Elizabeth Jennings Graham, a Black woman who simply wanted a seat on a segregated streetcar. Arthur, to everyone's surprise, won the case, and poof! Desegregated streetcars for all of New York. Not a bad first foray into law.
Roscoe Conkling, a powerful senator who took Arthur under his wing. Soon, Arthur found himself as the Collector of the Port of New York, a fancy way of saying he raked in the big bucks for the government. But then came reform and a new president, Rutherford B. Hayes, who gave Arthur the boot. Ouch.
Luckily, political fortunes can change faster than a New York minute. James Garfield, the next Republican nominee for president, needed a vice president to balance the ticket. Enter Arthur, somewhat reluctantly. Then, tragedy struck. Garfield got shot, succumbed to his wounds, and before you could say "constitutional crisis," Chester A. Arthur, the man who once brawled over politics, was sworn in as the 21st president.
President Arthur, it turned out, was a bit of a reformer himself. He championed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, which aimed to take the patronage (read: political bribery) out of government jobs. He also oversaw a Navy revival, which was good, because let's face it, a country needs a decent Navy. But he wasn't everyone's cup of tea. The ever-growing federal budget surplus? Not tackled to everyone's satisfaction. And then there was the Chinese Exclusion Act, a law that slammed the door shut on Chinese immigration for decades – a real black mark on his record.
His resume is as follows:
Lawyer in New York City
Quartermaster General of New York during the Civil War
Collector of the Port of New York (1871-1878)
20th Vice President of the United States (1881)
21st President of the United States (1881-1885)
APPEARANCE Arthur was known for his distinctive appearance, and fashionable attire. He was tall and distinguished with a neatly groomed beard, mustache and sideburns.
Chester A Arthur |
FASHION Arthur was known for his impeccable fashion sense, often seen wearing tailored suits and stylish accessories. earning him the nickname "Elegant Arthur." He had an ahem, extensive pants collection. 80 pairs! The man had more trousers than a haberdashery.
CHARACTER Arthur was described as affable, charming, and diplomatic, with a knack for building consensus and maintaining good relationships with colleagues and political allies.
SENSE OF HUMOR Arthur was known to possess a dry humor, which he often used to diffuse tension in political situations. He was a witty storyteller
RELATIONSHIPS Arthur married Ellen "Nell" Herndon on October 25, 1859, at Calvary Episcopal Church in New York City. Their place on Lexington Avenue became famous for the shindigs they threw. Big social gatherings were their thing.
They had three children together, though tragedy struck early on when one, poor little William, died at just two and a half from convulsions. A terrible blow.
Sadly, Nell never got to see Chester take the big seat. Pneumonia took her before he even became vice president in 1880.
With Nell gone, Chester's sister, Mary, stepped in as the White House hostess during his presidency. But Chester never forgot his wife. Every single day he was in the White House, he had fresh flowers placed in front of Nell's portrait.
MONEY AND FAME Arthur enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle but was not excessively wealthy. His fame came primarily from his political career and his tenure as President of the United States.
Arthur had a taste for the finer things. He brought in Louis Comfort Tiffany, the Tiffany guy, to redecorate the White House. To fund this fancy makeover, he even held a White House yard sale (or, as they delicately called it, a "public auction"). Imagine Abraham Lincoln's pants going up for grabs!
FOOD AND DRINK Arthur was known to enjoy fine dining and appreciated gourmet cuisine.
MUSIC AND ARTS He had a fondness for classical music and supported the arts during his presidency.
LITERATURE Arthur was an avid reader and had a particular interest in history and political philosophy.
NATURE He enjoyed spending time outdoors and was known to appreciate the natural beauty of the American landscape.
HOBBIES AND SPORTS Arthur enjoyed horseback riding and billiards and was an enthusiastic supporter of various sports, including baseball.
SCIENCE AND MATHS While not a scientist or mathematician himself, Arthur supported initiatives to advance scientific research and education during his presidency.
PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Arthur's political philosophy was rooted in the principles of liberty, equality, and justice. He was a firm believer in the Constitution and the rule of law.
Arthur taking the oath of office at his home |
A moderate abolitionist, as a lawyer, Arthur defended several runaway slaves and was an early activist in the New York Republican party.
Arthur was raised in a religious household, but his personal beliefs are not well documented
SCANDAL Arthur's presidency was overshadowed by accusations of corruption and cronyism, particularly regarding his involvement in the New York City Customs House.
MILITARY RECORD The Civil War saw Arthur as a quartermaster general, a title that sounds ripped from the pages of a Tolkien novel but basically meant he wrangled supplies for the state's troops. He did this with surprising efficiency and honesty, which wasn't always a given in those days. This earned him a coveted spot in the New York Republican organization, a stepping stone to bigger things.
He worked to modernize the U.S. Navy and improve infrastructure during his presidency.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Arthur struggled with health issues in his later life, including Bright's disease, a kidney ailment that eventually led to his death.
HOMES Arthur lived in various residences throughout his life, including in New York City, Albany, New York and Washington, D.C.
TRAVEL As president, Arthur traveled extensively throughout the United States, visiting various states and participating in ceremonial events.
LAST YEARS AND DEATH Chester A. Arthur battled Bright's disease, a nasty kidney ailment, throughout his presidency, keeping it all under wraps. He even made a half-hearted run for reelection in 1884, but ill health and, let's be honest, a lack of enthusiasm, put the kibosh on that.
Leaving office in 1885, Arthur retreated to New York, a respected but not exactly beloved figure. By 1886, his health had deteriorated further, and on a fateful November day, he ordered a bonfire of his personal and political papers. The next day, a stroke robbed him of consciousness, and the following day, November 18, 1886, at the young age of 57, Chester A. Arthur passed away.
APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Arthur has been depicted in various films, television shows, and literature, often as a supporting character in stories about American history and politics.
ACHIEVEMENTS Signed the Pendleton Civil Service Act, reforming the federal employment system.
Oversaw a period of economic growth and naval expansion.
Championed civil rights for African Americans.
Friday 3 April 2009
Benedict Arnold
NAME: Benedict Arnold
WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Benedict Arnold is most famous for his role as a traitor during the American Revolutionary War, when he conspired to surrender the American fort at West Point to the British.
BIRTH: Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticut, British America.
FAMILY BACKGROUND: Benedict Arnold was the second of six children born to Benedict Arnold III and Hannah Waterman King. His father was a successful businessman and his family was prominent in the community.
He was named after his great-grandfather Benedict Arnold, an early governor of the Colony of Rhode Island, and his brother Benedict IV, who died in infancy.
CHILDHOOD: Arnold's childhood was marked by financial instability following his father's death when he was young. He worked various odd jobs to help support his family.
EDUCATION: Arnold received a basic education in Norwich, but his formal schooling was limited. He learned much of his trade and military skills through practical experience.
CAREER RECORD: Benedict Arnold initially pursued a successful career as a merchant and later became involved in the militia during the American Revolutionary War. He distinguished himself in several battles before his betrayal.
Forced to leave school after his father's death in 1761, Benedict Arnold found himself apprenticed to an apothecary in New Haven, Connecticut. His days were spent mixing medicines and selling books. Back in the colonies, he ended up running a pretty successful pharmacy and shipping business.
Arnold was a skilled and respected military leader, known for his bravery and tactical acumen. An early hero of the American Revolution, capturing Fort Ticonderoga and playing a key role at Saratoga.
His later career was marred by suspicion of misconduct and battlefield injuries that hampered his effectiveness.
Arnold defected to the British side in 1780, attempting to surrender West Point.
APPEARANCE: Benedict Arnold was described as having a commanding presence, with sharp features and a stern countenance. He was athletic and energetic, with piercing blue eyes. Injuries sustained during the war likely took a toll on his physical appearance.
FASHION: He dressed in the typical style of a military officer of the time – powdered wigs, tricorn hats, and military uniforms.
As a military officer, Arnold would have worn the standard uniform of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
CHARACTER: Benedict Arnold was known for his bravery and military skill, but he was also ambitious, hot-headed, and prone to resentment, which ultimately contributed to his decision to betray the American cause.
SENSE OF HUMOUR: Arnold was not known for his sense of humor, particularly in the later stages of his life when he became embittered by perceived slights and grievances.
RELATIONSHIPS: Benedict Arnold's relationships were complicated. He had several failed business ventures and his personal relationships were often strained.
Arnold's first wife, Margaret Mansfield, was the daughter of the sheriff in New Haven. They tied the knot in February of 1767, but sadly, she died young in 1775. Fast forward a few years, and Arnold, now a big cheese in Philadelphia (commander, that is), meets Peggy Shippen. Half his age and the daughter of a wealthy judge with a direct line to the British (awkward!), Peggy was the socialite of Philadelphia. Despite the raised eyebrows, love (or maybe ambition?) blossomed, and they were married on April 8, 1779 at the Shippen mansion on Fourth Street.
MONEY AND FAME: Arnold's betrayal brought him temporary financial gain and a measure of infamy, but ultimately he was reviled by both sides of the conflict.
FOOD AND DRINK: Arnold likely consumed typical colonial American fare, including meat, bread, and vegetables. Alcohol, particularly rum, was a common beverage of the time.
MUSIC AND ARTS: There is little record of Arnold's interest in music and the arts.
LITERATURE: Similarly, Arnold does not appear to have had a notable interest in literature.
NATURE: Arnold's military career often took him into the wilderness, where he demonstrated skill in navigating and surviving in rugged terrain.
HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Arnold was an avid horseman and enjoyed hunting and outdoor pursuits.
SCIENCE AND MATHS: Arnold would have possessed practical knowledge of mathematics and engineering relevant to his military career.
PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Arnold's religious beliefs are unknown, but likely influenced by the prevailing Protestantism of the time.
MILITARY RECORD: Teenage Benedict wasn't exactly thrilled about a life measuring out potions behind a counter. He yearned for the battlefield, not bottles of dubious cures. So, off he went to fight in the French and Indian War, a whole lot more exciting than, say, explaining the finer points of elixirs to bored housewives.
Then came the American Revolution. Arnold, ever the ambitious fellow, saw his chance to shine. He joined up with the militia, eventually teaming up with Ethan Allen to pull off a surprise attack on Fort Ticonderoga, a win that gave the ragtag American forces a much-needed boost. Arnold went on to lead a daring (though ultimately unsuccessful) attack on Quebec City, solidifying his reputation as a brave and imaginative leader.
Here's where things get a bit murky. Arnold, it seems, had a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He felt like he wasn't getting the recognition he deserved, which, to be fair, might have been a little true. He even got into a shouting match with a superior officer! Despite the drama, Arnold still managed to be a key player in the Battles of Saratoga, even disobeying orders to lead a crucial charge.
Thanks to his second wife's fancy family connections, Arnold was living a rather extravagant lifestyle in Philadelphia. The problem? He wasn't exactly rolling in dough, and his flashy lifestyle was starting to raise eyebrows. To make matters worse, he got tangled up in a couple of court-martials over accusations of misuse of funds. Not exactly the PR boost he was hoping for.
Feeling humiliated and bitter, Arnold made a monumental decision. He decided to switch sides. In a move that would forever tarnish his legacy, he opened up secret communication with the British, plotting to hand over the crucial Fort West Point. Luckily for the American cause, the whole scheme got foiled when a British officer carrying incriminating documents was captured. Arnold, exposed, fled to the British side.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: The pivotal Battles of Saratoga in 1777 weren't just a turning point in the war; they were also a turning point in Arnold's health. He took a nasty leg wound that sidelined him for months. Now, proper medical care was a bit of a gamble back then, and instead of a spiffy new prosthetic leg, they just, well, patched him up as best they could. The result? A leg two inches shorter than the other, which must have made waltzing a real challenge.
But leg woes weren't his only battle. By 1775, gout, that delightful condition that feels like tiny gnomes are stomping around in your joints, had become a regular visitor. Fast forward to 1801, and poor Arnold was hobbling around with a cane, thanks to a diagnosis of dropsy. Not exactly the picture of a vigorous traitorous mastermind.
HOMES: Arnold owned several homes throughout his life, including a mansion in New Haven, Connecticut.
TRAVEL: Arnold traveled extensively during his military career, participating in campaigns throughout the American colonies.
DEATH: Benedict Arnold died on June 14, 1801, in London, England a broken man, largely ostracized and disgraced by both his former countrymen and his new British allies.
APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Benedict Arnold has been depicted in numerous books, films, and television shows, often portrayed as a complex and tragic figure whose betrayal altered the course of American history.
ACHIEVEMENTS: Despite his betrayal, Benedict Arnold's early military successes and contributions to the American cause cannot be overlooked. He played a significant role in several key battles during the Revolutionary War before his fall from grace.
Wednesday 1 April 2009
Neil Armstrong
NAME Neil Alden Armstrong
WHAT FAMOUS FOR Neil Armstrong is most famous for being the first person to set foot on the moon during NASA's Apollo 11 mission in 1969. His words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," have become iconic in the history of space exploration.
BIRTH Neil Alden Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio, United States.
FAMILY BACKGROUND Neil Armstrong was the son of Stephen Koenig Armstrong and Viola Louise Engel. His father worked as an auditor for the state government, and his mother was a homemaker. Neil had two siblings, a younger brother named Dean and a younger sister named June.
CHILDHOOD Growing up in Ohio, Neil Armstrong developed a fascination with flight and space exploration from a young age.
He developed a passion for aviation at a young age and earned his pilot's license at 16
His first taste of flight came at the ripe old age of five, courtesy of a Ford Trimotor – a rickety contraption also known as the "Tin Goose." Sounds about as safe as balancing on a washtub full of pigeons, but hey, it sparked a lifelong love affair with aviation in young Neil.
Young Neil achieved the rank of Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
EDUCATION Neil Armstrong attended Blume High School in Wapakoneta, where he excelled in science and mathematics. He later studied aeronautical engineering at Purdue University on a Navy scholarship.
CAREER RECORD After completing his studies at Purdue University, Neil Armstrong joined the United States Navy and became a naval aviator. After achieving interstellar fame, Armstrong wasn't one for basking in the spotlight. He got his Master's degree in engineering (because, you know, walking on the Moon wasn't enough), became a teacher, and even helped design an artificial heart-lung system based on Apollo technology. Talk about your transferable skills! Here's his resume:
U.S. Navy pilot (Korean War)
Test pilot at NACA/NASA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics)
Astronaut (NASA's second astronaut class)
Commander of Gemini VIII (first docking of two spacecraft in space)
Commander of Apollo 11 (first lunar landing mission)
Professor of Aerospace Engineering at University of Cincinnati
APPEARANCE Neil Armstrong had an average height and build, with a calm and composed demeanor. He had short brown hair (turning gray later in life) and blue eyes.
FASHION Armstrong was known for his practicality and professionalism. He primarily wore military uniforms, and academic attire.
As an astronaut, Neil Armstrong typically wore the iconic white spacesuit during missions.
Photo of Neil Armstrong, July 1969, in space suit with the helmet off |
CHARACTER Neil Armstrong was known for his humility, intelligence, and bravery. He was described as a quiet and reserved individual who remained grounded despite his historic achievements.
SENSE OF HUMOR While Armstrong was known for his seriousness and focus during missions, he also had a subtle sense of humor that he occasionally displayed among colleagues and friends.
RELATIONSHIPS Neil Armstrong was married twice. His first marriage was to Janet Elizabeth Shearon, with whom he had three children: Eric, Karen, and Mark. After divorcing Janet in 1994, Armstrong married Carol Knight the same year.
Armstrong first met Carol Knight, at a golf tournament in 1992. Not exactly the most romantic setting, but hey, love works in mysterious ways. They were stuck at the breakfast table together, probably grumbling about the lukewarm coffee and dodgy scrambled eggs, and next thing you know, sparks were flying.
Two weeks later, Armstrong, ever the efficient fellow, decided to check in with Carol. "What are you up to?" he asks, his voice likely as dry as a desert wind. "Oh, just chopping down a cherry tree," she replies, probably wielding an axe with the nonchalance of someone buttering toast. And Armstrong, a man of action if ever there was one, didn't hesitate. Half an hour later, he was at her doorstep, ready to lend a hand (and possibly avoid any rogue branches aimed at his head). They were married in Ohio on June 12, 1994, and stayed wed until his death.
MONEY AND FAME As a pioneering astronaut and the first person to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong achieved worldwide fame and received numerous awards and honors throughout his life.
Armstrong lived a modest life despite his fame and donated his time and expertise to various causes.
Apparently, Armstrong wasn't a fan of his signature being plastered on everything from baseball cards to chewing gum, so he shut down the whole autograph racket. A man of principles, that Armstrong.
FOOD AND DRINK Neil Armstrong's favorite foods reportedly included steak and eggs, but as an astronaut, he primarily consumed specially prepared space food during missions.
MUSIC AND ARTS While Neil Armstrong's primary focus was on science and engineering, he appreciated music and the arts as well.
LITERATURE Armstrong enjoyed reading science fiction and technical literature related to space exploration.
NATURE As an aviator and astronaut, Neil Armstrong had a deep appreciation for the beauty and vastness of space and often spoke about the awe-inspiring views he witnessed during his missions.
HOBBIES AND SPORTS In his free time, Neil Armstrong enjoyed flying, sailing, and spending time outdoors. Later in life he flew gliders.
SCIENCE AND MATHS Neil Armstrong had a strong passion for aeronautical engineering and mathematics, which he pursued both academically and professionally throughout his life.
PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Armstrong's experiences as an astronaut led him to contemplate the significance of humanity's place in the universe, but he generally kept his personal beliefs private.
SCANDAL Neil Armstrong was not associated with any scandals throughout his life. He maintained a reputation of integrity and professionalism.
MILITARY RECORD Before strapping on a spacesuit, though, Armstrong was a Navy pilot, serving in the Korean War. He wasn't exactly a weekend warrior – 78 missions over Korea put him firmly in the "gung ho" category. After that, he became a test pilot, a job description that basically translates to "guy who flies incredibly expensive things at terrifying speeds." He earned several awards and commendations for his service.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Neil Armstrong maintained excellent physical fitness throughout his life, which was essential for his career as an astronaut.
Armstrong once got his wedding ring ripped off by a tractor – ouch. But being the resourceful fellow he was, he packed the finger (and the ring!) in ice and drove himself to the hospital. Like a true hero, he didn't even flinch.
HOMES Neil Armstrong lived in various locations throughout his life, including Ohio, Texas, and Ohio again after his retirement.
TRAVEL As an astronaut, Neil Armstrong traveled extensively for training and space missions, including to the moon and back.
His first spaceflight was the NASA Gemini 8 mission, for which he was the command pilot. On this mission, Armstrong performed the first manned docking of two spacecraft with pilot David Scott on March 16, 1966. It was like a celestial game of bumper cars, but with considerably less bumping.
Of course, the big one was Apollo 11. Armstrong wasn't just along for the ride, though. He was the first human to ever set foot on the moon. That's right, the first footprint in lunar dust belonged to this guy from Ohio. You'd think he'd want to take a souvenir, maybe a moon rock or two. Nope. Armstrong actually wanted to bring a football – but NASA, in all its infinite wisdom, said no dice. Party poopers.
He even found time to explore the other end of the Earth, joining Sir Edmund Hillary (the first guy to conquer Everest, no big deal) on a trip to the North Pole. Seems Armstrong just couldn't resist the call of the unknown, no matter which direction it was in.
DEATH Neil Armstrong passed away on August 25, 2012, at the age of 82, following complications from cardiovascular surgery.
APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Neil Armstrong's historic moon landing was widely covered by the media, and he made numerous appearances in documentaries, films, and television programs.
Armstrong's authorized biography, First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong, was published in 2005. A film adaptation of the book, starring Ryan Gosling as Armstrong was released in October 2018.
Armstrong hosted a TV show called First Flights. Imagine it – the first guy on the Moon explaining the history of aviation, from rickety balloons to ear-splitting X-15 rocket planes. The show ran for three seasons, a delightful ode to humankind's never-ending quest to conquer the skies.
One last thing – Armstrong was the great-uncle of Billie Joe Armstrong, the lead singer of Green Day. So, the next time you hear "Basket Case" blasting from your speakers, remember, there's a moonwalker lurking in the family tree.
ACHIEVEMENTS Neil Armstrong's greatest achievement was undoubtedly being the first person to set foot on the moon. His contributions to space exploration have left an indelible mark on human history, inspiring generations to come. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and many other honors