William Blake

NAME William Blake

WHAT FAMOUS FOR William Blake is renowned as a poet, painter, and printmaker who significantly contributed to the Romantic Age of English literature. 

BIRTH b November 28, 1757 at 28 Broad Street (now Broadwick St) in the Soho district of London.

FAMILY BACKGROUND William's father, James Blake, was a non conformist who owned a clothing shop and was not rich. His mother was Catherine Wright Armitage Blake.

William was the third son of seven children, two of whom died in infancy. Dearest to his heart was his younger brother, Robert, who died very young in 1787.

CHILDHOOD A visionary from early childhood, at the age of four, according to William, the Almighty peered at him through a window and made him cry. Once he told his parents he had seen a tree full of angels and the prophet Ezekiel, which angered his father who thought his son a liar.

As a child he wanted to be a painter and by the age of 12, William was diligently collecting prints. He was also writing poetry; the lyric, “How sweet I roam’d from Field to Field” is thought to have been written before he'd entered his teens.

Blake's Songs of Innocence (1789) and Songs of Experience (1794) provide the first example of literature concerned with the essential goodness of children in the spirit of Rousseau’s educational philosophy. Although not intended for children, they were highly influential; he portrayed childhood as a happy and virtuous time and growing up a saddening and complicated process.

EDUCATION William barely went to school, (only enough to lean to read and write) and was otherwise educated at home by his mother.

In 1779 William became a student at the newly formed Royal Academy located at the Old Somerset House, near the Strand. While the terms of his study required no payment, he was expected to supply his own materials. Throughout his time there, Blake rebelled against the aesthetic doctrines of its president, Sir Joshua Reynolds, an advocate of what he regarded as the unfinished style of fashionable painters such as Rubens. Blake preferred to draw from his imagination.

Later in life, he had a profound contempt for classical education, "I never was sent to school, to be flog'd into following the style of a fool," he Wrote.

CAREER RECORD William began engraving copies of drawings of Greek antiquities at ten years old, a practice that was then preferred to real-life drawing. Four years later he became apprenticed to James Basire of Great Queen Street, London. After two years Basire sent him to draw the monuments in the old churches of London, a task that he thoroughly enjoyed. At the age of twenty-one Blake finished his apprenticeship and studied briefly at the Royal Academy whilst setting himself up as a professional engraver. From then on Blake laboured most days on engraving mainly for book illustrations. He was only able to devote himself to art and poetry in his spare time.

A brief resume:
1783 Blake's first collection of poems, Poetical Sketches, was printed. 1784-87 Started a print shop with another engraver James Parker and Blake’s brother, Robert, at 27 Broad Street, Golden Square, London after his father's death. It failed after three years.

1788 Blake began to experiment with relief etching, a method he would use to produce most of his books, paintings, pamphlets and poems.

1800-03 Blake moved to a cottage at Felpham in Sussex (now West Sussex) to take up a job illustrating the works of his friend and patron William Hayley, who was a mediocre but fashionable poet.

1804-20 Blake could get little work. In the 1820s he produced his beautiful illustrations to the Book of Job.

APPEARANCE Blake was described as having a slight build with expressive features, often lost in contemplation or fervent creativity.

Portrait by Thomas Phillips (1807)

FASHION His fashion sense was simple and practical, reflecting the modest means of his upbringing.

Blake was influenced by the ideals and ambitions of the French and American revolutions and openly wore the red revolutionary bonnet in the streets.

For some mystical reason Blake was not fond of soap - his wife contended that his skin not only did not attract dirt, but positively repelled it.

CHARACTER Amiable and agreeable, single minded, unworldly, maybe mad. Blake was an eccentric, stubborn visionary.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Blake had a playful and mischievous sense of humor, often infusing his work with wit and satire.

In the early 1780s Blake wrote the satirical fragment An Island in the Moon, which made fun of scientific dilettantism.

RELATIONSHIPS The first time Blake met pretty, illiterate Catherine Boucher, the daughter of a Chelsea market gardener, the conviction that this was the man she must marry so overwhelmed her that she fainted. She was a visionary too. Blake, meanwhile was recovering from a relationship that had culminated in a refusal of his marriage proposal. He recounted the story of his heartbreak for Catherine and her parents, after which he asked Catherine, "Do you pity me?" When she responded affirmatively, he declared, "Then I love you."

William married Catherine, who was five years his junior, on August 18, 1782 in St. Mary's Church, Battersea. After the wedding she signed the register with a cross as she couldn't write her name. 

Pencil drawing by George Richmond of Catherine Blake

There were early marital problems such as Catherine's illiteracy and the couple's failure to produce children. At one point, in accordance with the beliefs of the Swedenborgian Society, Blake suggested bringing in a concubine. Catherine was distressed at the idea, and he dropped it. Later Blake taught his wife to read and write. 

Whilst William engraved words and pictures on copper printing plates, Catherine made the printing impressions, hand coloured the pictures and bound the books. She cooked for him and made his clothes never complaining. He was never unfaithful to her despite writing about sexual energy and polygamy and their marriage remained a close and devoted one until his death.

"I have very little of Mr Blake's company. He is always in paradise." Catherine once quipped about her husband's visions.

MONEY AND FAME Blake initially made as much impact as a sponge dropped in a bath. His poetry in picture books did not sell well in his day and his Songs of Innocence earned him little. Neither were his unusual paintings popular. He was considered by many to have been insane and merely an interesting oddity. On the few occasions when critics did notice him, it was because they suspected he was mad. he was known as a lunatic.

At the end of his life Blake enjoyed a little success, particularly with his Bible illustrations when Samuel Palmer and his coterie looked to him as a guru figure for their movement, "The Ancients". He sold a number of works to Thomas Butts, a patron who saw Blake more as a friend in need than an artist. 

Geoffrey Keynes, a biographer, described Butts as, "a dumb admirer of genius, which he could see but not quite understand." Dumb or not, we have him to thank for eliciting and preserving so many works.
By the end of the nineteenth century, he was recognised as the genius he was.

FOOD AND DRINK Blake's diet was simple, reflecting the frugal habits of his upbringing. He enjoyed traditional English fare and was not known for indulging in excess.

If Catherine thought her William was spending too much time with his angels and not enough earning his daily bread at meal time she would place an empty plate at his end of the table.

ART Blake's radical artistic techniques and colour experiments were not appreciated in his time. His figures were usually elongated and heavily muscled and he was poor at painting landscapes and animals. He habitually claimed that the biblical subjects of his paintings were actually present in his studio.

His poetry in picture books featured his great innovative art form, which he called "Illuminated Printing". Blake wrote his texts in reverse and illustrated them on metal plates through a method of relief etching. The pages were then printed and coloured before being bound. His precise method is not known. The most likely explanation is that he wrote the words and drew the pictures for each poem on a copper plate, using some liquid impervious to acid, which, when applied, left the text and illustration in relief. Ink or colour wash was then applied, and the printed picture was finished by hand in water-colours.

Blake shrank from drawing nude bodies because he found them corpse like and "smelling of mortality".

Blake's engraving of 21 pictures to his own Book of Job (1826), is considered by many to be his finest art. He was given the commission by the painter John Cinnell.

Job's Comforters by William Blake

MUSIC Blake had a deep appreciation for music, often incorporating musical themes into his poetry.

Whenever he had the chance Blake would sing his poetry to friends and his wife. Instruments of the day included the church pump organ.

LITERATURE John Milton was Blake's favorite poet, an ever present in the Blake library. William and Catherine liked to sit naked in their summer house being Adam and Eve whilst reciting passages from Paradise Lost.

Blake did all his publishing for his poetry in picture books, even making his own ink, hand-printing the pages and getting Mr's Blake to sew on the covers.
His Three most famous works are:

1789 Songs of Innocence poetry collection, which eloquently explored issues of divine love. Unable to find a publisher for his Songs of Innocence, Blake and his wife engraved and printed them at home.

1794 Songs of Experience , which considered the nature of evil. Amongst the 26 poems are the famous:
"Tyger, Tyger, burning bright
In the forests of the night
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry." 

Despite admiring its fearful symmetry Blake appears unable to spell 'tiger.'

In 1794 Blake combined the two sets of poems into a volume titled Songs of Innocence and of Experience Shewing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul. 

Songs of Innocence and of Experience title page

1804 "Jerusalem" Taken from his preface to his long poem, Milton, it was one of the most complicated works Blake ever wrote. A hymn of spiritual power and sexual liberty, Blake wrote Jerusalem whilst living in Felpham, West Sussex despite the fact there are very few dark, satanic mills in that nick of the woods.

NATURE Nature held a profound significance for Blake, who often drew inspiration from its beauty and symbolism in his poetry and artwork.

A lover of animals, Blake used his poetic gift to renounce cruelty to God's creatures. "A Robin Redbreast in a cage. Puts all Heaven in a rage," he wrote in Auguries of Innocence.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Blake's primary hobbies included drawing, painting, and writing, which he pursued with great passion throughout his life.

As a youth, William spent his time on endless walks - and did these feet endlessly trot...

SCIENCE Anti science, Blake preferred an intuitive approach.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Baptised as a child at St James, Piccadilly, William was brought up on the Bible in a non-conformist household. The visionary English artist and poet was known as “barmy” Blake, as he believed he had long conversations with biblical heroes and other famous historic figures. Even as a child he had visions of angels in a tree and the prophet, Ezekiel in a field.

The Non-conformist mystic wanted to escape from puritanical repressive Christianity and had contempt for organized religion. He believed that England had a special relationship with God, having accepted the myth that Christianity had been established at Glastonbury almost in Christ’s own lifetime, by his follower Joseph of Arimethea, and that as the Jews have failed him, God replaced them with the English as his “chosen people.”

Blake's The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (1793) argued that in time evil will be turned into good thus precluding the need for hell.

Blake: "He who would do good must do it in minute particulars. General good is the plea of the scoundrel, hypocrite and flatterer."

POLITICS At weekly dinners Blake met the leading radicals and freethinkers of his age, including Mary Wollstonecraft, Richard Price, Joseph Priestley, William Godwin, Henry Fuseli, and Thomas Paine. He espoused savage anarchy and also peace and love and was an anti monarchist.

SCANDAL Blake's feet in those ancient times, sure trod upon other people's toes.

(1)In the long afternoons Blake spent sketching in Westminster Abbey, during his apprenticeship to James Basire he was occasionally interrupted by the boys of Westminster School, one of whom "tormented" Blake so much one afternoon that he knocked the boy off a scaffold to the ground, "upon which he fell with terrific violence".

(2) During his time at Felpham, Blake was charged with high treason. He'd been overheard by a soldier in his garden uttering such seditious expressions as "D—n the King, d—n all his subjects" and he would "fight for Napoleon sooner than England." Blake maintained that ”the whole accusation is a wilful Perjury“. Found not guilty but a time of great fear for Blake, he felt his whole work was on trial.

(3) Also during his time at Felpham, Blake had a punch up with a soldier whom he'd discovered in his garden.

(4) Blake helped Thomas Paine escape to France when his Rights of Man was deemed too inflammatory in a revolutionary climate.

MILITARY RECORD Blake lived during a time of unrest, war and fear of revolutionary. Living in the capital city he felt it was a maelstrom of uncertainties.

A pacifist, his "Dark Satanic mills" in Jerusalem refer to gunpowder factories.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Though Blake's vast output of visionary art and poetry is revered now, in his own time they were regarded as convincing evidence of insanity. "There is no doubt this poor man was mad, but there is something, in the madness of this man which interest me more than the sanity of Lord Byron and Walter Scott," said Wordsworth said of the "cockney nutcase".

HOMES 1785-90 28 Poland Street, London.
1790-1800 Lived at 13 Hercules Buildings, Lambeth Marsh.
1800-03 Lived at Felpham, West Sussex at what is now Blake House until his arrest for treason. It was a damp, thatched cottage which he rented for £20 a year. It is still a private residence.

The cottage at Felpham By Midnightblueowl at English Wikipedi

1804-21 Lived in one room in grim poverty at 17 South Molton Street, London.
1821-27 Fountain Court off West End of Fleet Street.

TRAVEL Couldn't afford it. He never ventured further than Sussex.

DEATH William Blake passed away on August 12, 1827, in London, at the age of 69. He was buried at Bunhill Fields in East End where traditionally the Non Conformists were buried.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA 1. (a) Richard Ashcroft borrowed the words of William Blake's London for the 1995 Verve single "History".
(b) Jah Wobble's 1996 CD The Inspiration of William Blake is some of his poems set to music.
(c) Frank Turner's 2019 song "I Believe You William Blake" pays tribute to the loyal support Catherine gave to her husband throughout their marriage.

2. "If the doors of perception were cleansed, every thing would appear to man as it is infinite." (The Marriage of Heaven and Hell) 1790-93. From this quote came the title of Aldous Huxley's book, The Doors of Perception. From this book came the name of Jim Morrison's rock band, The Doors.

3. Blake's poem Jerusalem was set to music in 1916 by Charles Parry to beef up British morale during the bleakest days of the First World War. Despite the unorthodox theology of the words it is now one of the most popular hymns in the English language and many of the English population would like this to replace "God Save The King" as their national anthem.

4. The English classical vocal quartet Blake chose their name from a mutual appreciation of the poet and artist's peerless thirst for innovation.

ACHIEVEMENTS Blake's enduring legacy lies in his innovative approach to poetry and art, which challenged the conventions of his time and paved the way for future generations of artists and writers. His contributions to Romanticism continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.

1. Blake created what he himself termed "Republican Art" in which themes of individual liberty and justice were explored. Much of his poetry was an expression of his anti-church brand of mystical religion.
2. Greatly influenced the 1950s Beat Generation.
3. Created a new form of art with his etching technique
4. His later writings such as Jerusalem and Milton (1804-08) were revolutionary in their free verse form having no plot, characters, rhyme nor metre.
4. There is a memorial to Blake in St Paul's Cathedral.
5. Jerusalem is the official hymn of the Woman's Institute.

References
(1) The Oxford Companion to English Literature
(2) Wikipedia

Tony Blair

NAME: Sir Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (known as Tony Blair)

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Tony Blair is renowned for serving as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007, leading the Labour Party to three consecutive general election victories.

BIRTH: Born on May 6, 1953, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Blair's father, Leo Blair, was a barrister and law lecturer, while his mother, Hazel Corscadden, was of Irish descent. Leo Blair's ambitions to become a Conservative MP were thwarted by a stroke. Blair's family background instilled in him the values of education and public service.

CHILDHOOD: Blair spent part of his early childhood in Adelaide, Australia, where his father taught at the University of Adelaide. The family returned to the UK, settling in Durham.

EDUCATION: Tony Blair attended the Chorister School in Durham and later Fettes College, a prestigious independent school in Edinburgh. He studied law at St John's College, Oxford, where he became interested in politics and was influenced by Christian socialism. He graduated with a Second Class Honours BA in Jurisprudence

CAREER RECORD: After graduating, Blair became a barrister. Blair once represented employers in a battle to deny female factory workers holiday pay.

After entering politics, Blair was elected as MP for Sedgefield in 1983. He became the leader of the Labour Party in 1994 and served as Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007. His tenure included significant reforms in public services, the peace process in Northern Ireland, and involvement in the Iraq War.

Tony Blair resigned as British Prime Minister on June 27, 2007 and on the same day he became a Middle East special envoy for the ‘Quartet’ – the USA, European Union, Russia, and the United Nations.

APPEARANCE: Tony Blair is known for his clean-cut, polished appearance, often seen in sharp suits and well-groomed.

Tony Blair By © European Union, 2010, Wikipedia

FASHION: While not known for being a fashion icon, Blair's style was always impeccable, reflecting his professional status.

CHARACTER: Blair is often described as charismatic, ambitious, persuasive, and a skilled orator. His leadership style is characterized by a focus on modernity and progressive policies.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: Blair is known to have a subtle sense of humour, often displayed during parliamentary debates.

RELATIONSHIPS: Tony Blair married Cherie Booth, a fellow barrister, on March 29, 1980. She is the daughter of the late, actor, Tony Booth. The couple has four children: Euan, Nicky, Kathryn, and Leo.

When Leo was born on May 20, 2000, the first child born to the wife of a serving British prime minister since Rollo Russell was born to Lady Frances Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound and Lord John Russell in 1849.

Blair with wife, Cherie Booth, touring the Amber Room during a visit to Russia, 2003

His relationships within the political sphere, notably with his Labour Party colleagues and other global leaders, have also shaped his career, influencing his policies and leadership style.

MONEY AND FAME: Blair's tenure as Prime Minister brought him significant fame, and his post-political career has been lucrative, with various advisory roles and speaking engagements.

During his tenure as prime minister, Blair earned a tidy sum of £163,000 per year, more than any of his successors. Gordon Brown trimmed his own salary to £150,000, while David Cameron, not to be outdone, took a 5 percent pay cut, bringing his earnings to £142,500.

FOOD AND DRINK: Blair once revealed to a Labour Party magazine that his favorite food was good old fish and chips. However, in a culinary twist worthy of Islington, he told the Islington Cookbook that his preferred dish was “fresh fettuccine garnished with olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers.” One might say he was all things to all men, especially when it came to his palate.

MUSIC AND ARTS: Blair has shown an appreciation for rock music. He was the lead vocalist and played guitar in a band called Ugly Rumours while at university. 

On Desert Island Discs Blair chose a guitar as his luxury item.

LITERATURE: Blair has written several books, including his memoir A Journey, which provides insight into his time in office and personal reflections.

NATURE Blair has been involved in environmental initiatives, although his policies on climate change have faced criticism.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Blair enjoys playing guitar and is a fan of sports, particularly football. He has been known to play tennis and enjoys watching cricket.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Blair's government was known for its focus on education and innovation, including in the fields of science and maths.

POLITICS Tony Blair joined the Labour Party shortly after graduating from Oxford in 1975. By 1983, he found himself eyeing the newly created constituency of Sedgefield, a notionally safe Labour seat conveniently located near his childhood stomping grounds in Durham. He was elected as MP for Sedgefield that year, despite Labour’s landslide defeat in the general election.

Fast forward to July 21, 1994, when Blair was chosen as leader of the Labour Party following the untimely death of John Smith. Under his leadership, the party adopted a more centrist position, known as 'New Labour'. 

On May 1, 1997, the voters of the United Kingdom decided they’d had quite enough of the Conservative Party’s 18-year reign and welcomed the Labour Party back to power with Tony Blair at the helm. Blair, at 43 years, 11 months, and 5 days old, became the youngest occupant of Number 10 since Robert Banks Jenkinson, Earl of Liverpool, who took office in 1812 at the sprightly age of 42 years and 1 day.

Blair didn’t just stop at one victory. He went on to win his third general election in 2005, making him the Labour Party’s longest-serving Prime Minister and the only person to have led the party to three consecutive general election victories. Quite the achievement for a lad from Edinburgh.

Tony Blair stepped down as British Prime Minister on June 27, 2007, ending a decade of leadership. 

Blair's tenure as Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007 was marked by significant policy initiatives, including the introduction of the minimum wage and devolution of powers to Scotland and Wales.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Blair's Christian faith, particularly his alignment with Christian socialism, has influenced his political ideology. He converted to Catholicism after leaving office and has engaged in various interfaith and philosophical discussions.

SCANDAL During his boarding school days at Fettes, Blair was arrested. He'd been mistaken for a burglar as he climbed into his dormitory using a ladder after being out late.

His time in office was not without controversy. Blair's decision to support the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 became a defining moment of his premiership, leading to widespread public and political debate. The subsequent issues surrounding weapons of mass destruction and the 'Dodgy Dossier' further complicated his legacy.

MILITARY RECORD While Blair did not serve in the military, his decisions as Prime Minister had profound impacts on the British Armed Forces. His government's involvement in military interventions, most notably in Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, and Iraq, were pivotal moments in his administration.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Blair is known for maintaining good health and physical fitness, regularly exercising and following a balanced diet.

HOMES: Blair has owned several homes, including the notable Connaught Square property in London.

TRAVEL: As Prime Minister, Blair traveled extensively and continues to do so for work and speaking engagements.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Blair has been a prominent figure in media, both during and after his political career. His appearances have ranged from news interviews to more unusual cameos, such as his guest role in an episode of The Simpsons. His memoir, A Journey, and public speaking engagements have kept him in the public eye.

ACHIEVEMENTS: Blair's major achievements include the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, devolution in Scotland and Wales, and significant public sector reforms in health and education. Despite controversies, his impact on modernizing the Labour Party and British politics is widely acknowledged.

Elizabeth Blackwell

NAME Elizabeth Blackwell

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Elizabeth Blackwell is renowned for being the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States and for her pioneering work in promoting medical education for women.

BIRTH Elizabeth Blackwell was born on February 3, 1821, in Bristol, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Elizabeth was the third of nine children in a liberal-minded Quaker family. Her father, Samuel Blackwell, was a sugar refiner and an advocate for social reform, while her mother, Hannah Lane Blackwell, was a supportive and nurturing figure.

Her sister Emily Blackwell  also became a physician

CHILDHOOD Elizabeth's family moved to the United States when she was 11, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, after financial difficulties. Witnessing her father's financial struggles instilled a strong work ethic in Elizabeth.

Her childhood was marked by a strong emphasis on education and social justice, influenced by her father's progressive views.

EDUCATION Elizabeth pursued her early education at home through reading and attending lectures, supplemented by private tutors.

Despite facing numerous obstacles and prejudice, Blackwell was determined to pursue a career in medicine and she wasn't about to let a trifling detail like being a woman stop her from becoming a doctor.  Medical schools across the land slammed their doors in her face with all the enthusiasm of a medieval portcullis, but Blackwell was as persistent as a barnacle on a beached battleship. Finally, in 1847, Geneva Medical College in upstate New York took a chance on her. All 150 male students voted unanimously to accept her, whilst simultaneously treating her application as a joke.

Blackwell tore through her studies like a terrier with a sock, graduating on January 23, 1849 , becoming the first woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S. She then hightailed it to Paris for some extra medical training, only to wind up accidentally squirting infected gunk in her own eye. This mishap dashed her dreams of becoming a surgeon, leaving her with the kind of vision that wouldn't win her any eye tests. 

CAREER RECORD  Elizabeth Blackwell faced significant opposition in her career. Here's her resume:

Graduated from Geneva Medical College in 1849 as the first woman in America to earn a medical degree

Established a successful medical practice in New York City, catering primarily to women and children

Co-founded the New York Infirmary for Women and Children (1857) - the first hospital in the US staffed by women

Opened the Woman's Medical College of the New York Infirmary (1868) to train women doctors

Became a professor of hygiene at the London School of Medicine for Women (1875)

Authored several books on medicine and women's rights, including "Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to Women" (1895)

APPEARANCE Elizabeth was described as having a strong jawline, piercing blue eyes, and dark hair She maintained a professional and commanding presence.

Portrait of Elizabeth Blackwell, c. 1850–1860

FASHION Elizabeth favored practical and modest clothing that wouldn't impede her work as a doctor., often seen in simple, dark-colored dresses.

CHARACTER Elizabeth was known for her determination, resilience, and pioneering spirit. She was a trailblazer who broke through significant societal barriers with grace and tenacity. She was known for her compassion and dedication to her patients

SENSE OF HUMOUR While Elizabeth's work was serious and groundbreaking, she was known to have a dry and occasionally sharp wit, using humor as a tool to disarm and educate.

RELATIONSHIPS Elizabeth maintained close relationships with her family, particularly her sisters, who supported her endeavors as well her sister in law Antoinette Brown Blackwell. 

She never married but had a deep bond with colleagues and friends who shared her vision for women's rights in medicine.

She had close friendships with notable women of her time, including suffragist and abolitionist leaders such as Susan B. Anthony and Lucy Stone.

MONEY AND FAME Elizabeth did not accumulate significant wealth, as much of her earnings were reinvested into her medical practices and educational initiatives. Her fame grew posthumously as her contributions to medicine and women's rights were increasingly recognized.

FOOD AND DRINK Elizabeth adhered to a simple and healthy diet, consistent with her views on maintaining physical well-being.

MUSIC AND ARTS Elizabeth appreciated classical music and the arts, often attending concerts and exhibitions when time permitted.

LITERATURE Elizabeth was a voracious reader, with interests ranging from medical texts to literature on social reform and philosophy.

In 1895, Blackwell published her autobiography, Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to Women. It sold fewer than 500 copies.

NATURE Elizabeth had a profound appreciation for nature, often finding solace and inspiration in outdoor activities and natural settings.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Elizabeth enjoyed walking, which provided her with physical exercise and a mental break from her demanding career. She likely enjoyed intellectual pursuits such as reading and writing.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Elizabeth's contribution to science was significant, particularly in the field of medicine. She was a firm believer in the importance of scientific education for women.

ACTIVISM Blackwell wasn't content with just her own success.  She tirelessly championed women's rights in medicine, fighting for their rightful place in scrubs and stethoscopes.  She even teamed up with her sister, Emily, to co-found a medical college specifically for women.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY In December 1838, Blackwell converted to Episcopalianism.. However, the arrival of a charismatic Unitarian minister, William Henry Channing, the following year, 'changed her mind. Channing introduced the ideas of transcendentalism to Blackwell, who started attending the Unitarian Church. She also attended various religious services in other denominations (Quaker, Millerite, Jewish)

Elizabeth's philosophy was deeply rooted in her Unitarian beliefs, emphasizing moral responsibility, social justice, and the importance of education and self-improvement.

SCANDAL Elizabeth faced many societal and professional scandals due to her gender and unconventional career. However, she managed to navigate these challenges with integrity and resolve.

MILITARY RECORD Elizabeth contributed to the medical field during the Civil War by training nurses and advocating for sanitary conditions.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS  After graduating at Geneva Medical College  Blackwell decided to continue her studies in Europe and went to Paris. In Europe, she was rejected by many hospitals because of her sex. , When she the lost sight in her left eye, leaving her without hope of becoming a surgeon, she went to London, where she was permitted to continue her studies. 

Feeling that the prejudice against women in medicine was not as strong in the United States, Blackwell returned to New York City in 1851, only to be met with more slammed doors from established hospitals.  Being a female doctor, it seemed, wasn't exactly in vogue. So, she did what any self-respecting medical pioneer would do: she started her own darn hospital!  The New York Infirmary for Women and Children, staffed largely by women, became a beacon of hope for those seeking medical care without a side order of sexism.

In 1869 Blackwell set sail for England, where she continued to chip away at the granite wall of medical prejudice for women.  She even managed to snag a spot on the British Medical Register in 1859, becoming Europe's first modern female doctor.   

On November 4, 1849, when Blackwell was treating an infant with ophthalmia neonatorum, she accidentally squirted some contaminated fluid into her own eye and contracted the infection. She lost sight in her left eye, requiring its surgical extraction.

In her later years, she faced health challenges, including a severe stroke that left her partially paralyzed.

HOMES Elizabeth lived in various places throughout her life, including England, Ohio, New York, and later in Hastings, England, where she retired.

TRAVEL Elizabeth traveled extensively, both for education and work, visiting Europe multiple times to further her medical training and to advocate for women's medical education.

DEATH Elizabeth Blackwell died on May 31, 1910, in Hastings, England, after suffering a stroke that had left her mentally and physically weakened.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Elizabeth's life has been the subject of numerous biographies, documentaries, and articles celebrating her contributions to medicine and women's rights.

ACHIEVEMENTS Paved the way for future generations of women in medicine

Championed social reform and women's rights

Established groundbreaking institutions that educated women doctors

Dr. Blackwell was commemorated on an American postage stamp in 1974, designed by Joseph Stanley Kozlowski. 

Antoinette Brown Blackwell

NAME: Antoinette Brown Blackwell

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Antoinette Brown Blackwell was the first woman to be ordained as a mainstream Protestant minister in the United States.

BIRTH: She was born on May 20, 1825, in Henrietta, New York, United States.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Antoinette Brown Blackwell was born the youngest of 7 children into a progressive and intellectually stimulating family. Her parents, Joseph Brown and Abby Morse, encouraged her education and independent thinking.

CHILDHOOD: Antoinette Brown Blackwell grew up in a supportive and nurturing environment that valued education and social justice. Her upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of determination and purpose.

Antoinette was considered a prodigy, showing intellectual curiosity at a young age. She actively participated in her family's Congregational church, even delivering prayers

EDUCATION: She attended her local district school and Monroe County Academy, Despite the limited educational opportunities available to women at the time, Antoinette Brown Blackwell was determined to pursue higher education. She attended Oberlin College, where she studied theology and became involved in the abolitionist and women's rights movements.

CAREER RECORD: After completing her education, Antoinette Brown Blackwell became a prominent advocate for women's rights and social reform. Here's her resume

Ordained as a Congregational minister in South Butler, New York in 1853 (first woman in the U.S.)

Became an itinerant preacher and lecturer on social reform issues

Co-founded the American Woman's Suffrage Association with Lucy Stone in 1863

Authored books and articles on social and philosophical topics

APPEARANCE: Antoinette Brown Blackwell had dark hair. She was described as graceful, with a serene and dignified presence.

Brown before she married.

FASHION: Brown Blackwell's attire reflected her commitment to modesty and practicality, often wearing simple dresses and bonnets suitable for her work as a minister and social reformer.

CHARACTER: Antoinette Brown Blackwell was characterized by her intelligence, compassion, and unwavering dedication to social justice and equality. 

SENSE OF HUMOUR: While Brown Blackwell was known for her serious demeanor, she also had a warm and witty personality that endeared her to those around her.

RELATIONSHIPS: Brown married Samuel Blackwell on January 24, 1856. Their nuptials took place, at the fieldstone house in Henrietta where she had spent her childhood.

Samuel Blackwell was a prominent abolitionist and physician and brother of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman doctor. They both respected each other's work and shared a commitment to social reform. Samuel actively supported Antoinette's endeavors, including her ministry and her involvement in the suffrage movement.  

Together they were a formidable team, raising seven children, two dying in infancy. while Antoinette continued to be a thorn in the side of the status quo.. She was a devoted mother, and her children were an important part of her life. 

MONEY AND FAME: While Brown Blackwell gained recognition for her groundbreaking achievements, she did not seek personal wealth or fame, dedicating her life to serving others and advancing social reform. 

FOOD AND DRINK: Brown Blackwell likely consumed a simple and wholesome diet typical of the time, consisting of fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products.

MUSIC AND ARTS: While Brown Blackwell appreciated the arts, her primary focus was on her work as a minister and social reformer.

LITERATURE: Brown Blackwell was an avid reader and writer, producing numerous essays, articles, and books on topics ranging from theology to women's rights. She also wrote an autobiography titled, The Physical Basis of Immortality.

NATURE: Brown Blackwell had a deep appreciation for the natural world and often found solace and inspiration in the beauty of the outdoors.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: In her limited free time, Brown Blackwell may have enjoyed activities such as gardening, writing, and spending time with her family.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: While Brown Blackwell did not have a formal education in science and mathematics, she recognized their importance in understanding the world and advocating for social change.

ACTIVISM Antoinette Brown Blackwell was a tireless activist who dedicated her life to fighting for social justice. 

Inspired by the preaching of evangelist Charles Finney,  Brown set her sights on Oberlin College, a bastion of progressive thought where women were actually allowed to, you know, learn stuff.  Imagine the scandal! Poverty, ridicule, and good old-fashioned sexism were her constant companions for three long years, but graduate she did, though the uptight college wouldn't give her a proper degree because, well, ovaries.  Undeterred, Antoinette took her fiery intellect and righteous indignation on the road, lecturing on the hitherto controversial topic of women's rights and occasionally sneaking in a sermon at a particularly progressive church.  Finally, in 1851, the Congregational Church coughed up a preaching license

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY:  Raised in a Congregational church, Blackwell held a deep personal faith that guided her actions. She firmly believed that women should have equal rights within the church, including the right to be ordained as ministers. This belief clashed with the traditional patriarchal structure of many denominations at the time.

Blackwell's theology was informed by her belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, as well as the importance of compassion, justice, and equality.

On September 15, 1853, Antoinette Brown became the first woman in the United States to be ordained as a minister.  Can you hear the fainting couches collapsing in unison?  She served her flock in South Butler, New York, for a glorious nine months before theological disagreements sent her packing (turns out you can't win 'em all).  But ordination, even a short-lived one, was a shot across the bow of the good ship Patriarchy, and Antoinette wasn't done rocking the boat.

SCANDAL: Her ordination as a minister was controversial and challenged traditional gender roles

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Brown Blackwell maintained good health throughout much of her life, allowing her to continue her work as a minister and social reformer well into old age.

Antoinette Brown Blackwell wasn't just about pulpits and women's votes. Her own experiences, let's just say childbirth wasn't a picnic for her, drove her to champion women's health issues. She wasn't shy about talking about the realities of childbirth, a radical idea at the time, and fought for women to have more control over their bodies. This included advocating for better access to medical care and reproductive rights. It all stemmed from her unwavering belief in equality, and let's face it, women shouldn't have to suffer in silence.

HOMES: Blackwell lived a relatively modest life and moved throughout her life in support of her activism and family. Here's a brief overview of her residences:

New York: Born and raised at 1099 Pinnacle Road in Henrietta, New York, she likely lived there until attending college in Ohio.

Antoinette Louisa Brown's childhood home By Ammodramus Wikipedia

Ohio: While studying at Oberlin College, she resided in student housing or with local families.

New York & New Jersey: After ordination and marriage to Samuel Blackwell, the couple lived in various locations throughout New York and New Jersey, likely following preaching opportunities and raising their family.

TRAVEL: Brown Blackwell traveled extensively hroughout the Northeast and possibly further. during her life, speaking at conferences, attending meetings, and advocating for social reform across the country.

DEATH: Antoinette Brown Blackwell passed away on November 5, 1921, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, aged 96, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering achievement and social activism. She was the only surviving participant of the 1850 Women's Rights Convention that took place in Worcester, Massachusetts, to see the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which gave women the right to vote.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Media during Blackwell's lifetime was limited compared to today. Here are some possibilities for her media appearances:

Newspapers: Her ordination and activism likely generated coverage in local and national newspapers.

Abolitionist Periodicals: Publications supporting the abolition movement may have featured her writings or speeches.

Women's Rights Publications: Early publications advocating for women's suffrage might have included her work.

Today, Brown Blackwell's life and accomplishments have been celebrated in numerous books, articles, and documentaries, ensuring her legacy as a trailblazer for women's rights and social justice continues to inspire future generations.

ACHIEVEMENTS: Antoinette Brown Blackwell's groundbreaking ordination as a minister paved the way for future generations of women in the clergy, while her tireless advocacy for women's rights and social reform left an indelible mark on American history

Blackbeard

NAME: Blackbeard (Edward Teach or Thatch)

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Infamous pirate known for his fearsome appearance, ruthless tactics, and exploits as a pirate captain during the Golden Age of Piracy.

BIRTH: The exact date and place of Blackbeard's birth are uncertain, but it is believed he was born around 1680 in Bristol, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Little is known about Blackbeard's family background, but it is speculated that he may have come from a middle-class family in England.

CHILDHOOD: Blackbeard's early life and childhood remain shrouded in mystery, with few details available about his upbringing.

EDUCATION: It is unlikely that Blackbeard received a formal education, as he is believed to have started his career as a sailor at a young age.

CAREER RECORD: In 1716, Blackbeard signed on as a lowly deckhand with Captain Benjamin Hornigold, a pirate who operated out of New Providence like a Caribbean timeshare gone rogue. Blackbeard, however, was a quick study in the art of swashbuckling and skullduggery. He rose through the ranks faster than a parrot with a head cold, earning a fearsome reputation for, well, being rather fearsome. Blackbeard became one of the most notorious pirates of the Caribbean, terrorizing ships and coastal communities with his crew. He captured numerous vessels and amassed a fortune in stolen goods. Here's his resume;

Operated throughout the Caribbean and the American colonies from 1716 to 1718.

Captured several ships and amassed a significant amount of plunder.

Blockaded the port of Charleston, South Carolina, in 1718.

APPEARANCE: Blackbeard was described as a large man with a thick black beard, which is where his nickname originated. He had an imposing and intimidating appearance, often adorned with weapons and accessories to enhance his fearsome image.

Blackbeard the Pirate by Joseph Nicholls (fl. 1726–55) 

FASHION: Blackbeard dressed in typical pirate attire of the era, likely including loose breeches and a long coat, and a hat. He favored extravagant clothing and accessories, often wearing rich fabrics, jewelry, and ostentatious hats adorned with feathers and other decorations.

CHARACTER: Blackbeard was characterized by his ruthlessness, cunning, and fearlessness in battle. He struck terror into the hearts of his enemies and was known for his brutal tactics.

Some historians paint Blackbeard as a bloodthirsty monster who reveled in violence. Others argue he was more nuanced, using brutality only when absolutely necessary.

There's evidence for both sides. Blackbeard's fearsome appearance was part of his act, a way to strike fear into the hearts of his enemies (and probably his barber). But there are also stories of him showing surprising mercy, even letting captured crews keep their belongings and giving them supplies. Maybe he was just a softie at heart, or maybe he just knew a happy crew was a more productive crew.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: While Blackbeard was not known for his sense of humor, he was said to have a charismatic and persuasive personality that allowed him to command the loyalty of his crew.

RELATIONSHIPS: Blackbeard had numerous relationships with fellow pirates, crew members, and allies throughout his career. He was also rumored to have multiple wives and mistresses.

MONEY AND FAME: Blackbeard amassed a considerable fortune through piracy, plundering ships and coastal towns for treasure and valuable goods. His exploits made him one of the most feared and infamous pirates of his time.

FOOD AND DRINK: As a pirate, Blackbeard likely ate and drank the typical fare of sailors of the era, including hard tack, salted meat, rum, and ale.

MUSIC AND ARTS: While Blackbeard's life was filled with adventure and excitement, there is little evidence to suggest he had a particular interest in music or the arts.

LITERATURE: Blackbeard's life and exploits have been the subject of numerous books, movies, and other forms of popular culture, cementing his place in pirate lore.

NATURE: Blackbeard spent much of his life at sea, navigating the treacherous waters of the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean in search of treasure and adventure.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Blackbeard and his crew would lock themselves in the hold of the ship and light pots of sulphur to see who could last the longest without suffocating.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: Blackbeard needed a basic understanding of navigation and sailing.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Blackbeard's beliefs and philosophies are largely unknown, but his actions suggest a pragmatic and self-interested approach to life.

SCANDAL: Blackbeard's life was filled with scandal and controversy, as he was responsible for countless acts of piracy, violence, and plunder.

In November 1717. Blackbeard, by now a rising star in the pirate world, snagged a French slave ship, the La Concorde. Now, this wasn't your average Tuesday afternoon carjacking. This was a heavily-armed merchant vessel, the kind that could hold its own in a good old-fashioned sea brawl. Blackbeard, ever the pragmatist (or maybe just a sucker for a good cannon), saw potential. He gussied up the La Concorde, adding enough firepower to make even a Spanish galleon nervous, and christened her the Queen Anne's Revenge – not exactly a name that inspires warm fuzzies. This became Blackbeard's mobile base of operations, a pirate palace on the high seas.

Here's the twist: when Blackbeard captured the La Concorde, there were hundreds of enslaved Africans on board. Now, piracy wasn't exactly a career path known for its stellar employee benefits, but for many of these folks, it sure beat the alternative. Quite a few of them chose to join Blackbeard's crew, trading the shackles of slavery for the slightly looser shackles of piratical life. By the time Blackbeard met his watery demise, his crew was nearly a third former slaves – a fact that tends to get glossed over in all those Johnny Depp movies.

With the Queen Anne's Revenge as his fearsome chariot, Blackbeard became a legend in his own Jolly Roger.  He wasn't just good, he was ruthless, terrorizing merchant ships and coastal towns from the Caribbean all the way up the American coast. He even managed to pull off a real estate coup, blockading the port of Charles Town, South Carolina, with a motley crew of pirates. After a good old-fashioned ransoming (because, pirates!), he settled down for a bit in a place called Bath Town. It didn't last. The call of the open ocean, or maybe just the realization that his neighbors probably weren't thrilled about having a notorious pirate living down the street, lured Blackbeard back to his swashbuckling ways.

MILITARY RECORD: Blackbeard wasn't a military man in the traditional sense, but his entire career revolved around armed conflict. Here's a breakdown of his piratical exploits:

Early Days He served on privateer ships during Queen Anne's War. He honed his combat skills and leadership during this period, participating in raids and ship captures.

Captain Blackbeard (1717-1718): After taking command of his own ship, Blackbeard established himself as a ruthless pirate. He engaged in numerous battles against merchant vessels and even some fortifications. His most notable victory was the capture of the French slave ship La Concorde, which he renamed Queen Anne's Revenge and turned into his fearsome flagship.

The Blockade of Charles Town (1718): Blackbeard's most audacious act was blockading the port of Charles Town, South Carolina. He held the city hostage for weeks, demanding medical supplies and safe passage. While he eventually left without major bloodshed, the incident cemented his reputation as a formidable pirate.

Blackbeard would go into battle with anywhere from six to ten pistols on his person, and multiple blades. His fighting style with a cutlass was meant to be intimidating as well as effective.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Despite the rigors of life at sea, Blackbeard was known for his robust health and physical prowess, which served him well in battle.

HOMES: Blackbeard never had a permanent home. His life was spent on the move, constantly seeking plunder and evading capture. His primary residence was his ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge. This heavily armed vessel served as his base of operations, housing his crew and storing his loot. After Blackbeard ran the ship aground near North Carolina, he abandoned it and moved to a small island for a brief period before his final confrontation.

TRAVEL: Blackbeard's piratical career was defined by his extensive travels. He operated primarily in the Caribbean Sea and along the eastern coast of North America, from the Bahamas to the Carolinas. His travels were dictated by opportunities for plunder and the need to stay ahead of authorities. He likely visited numerous ports and islands, encountering a diverse range of people and cultures during his pirating days.

DEATH: Blackbeard's death was as dramatic as his life. On November 22, 1718, Lieutenant Maynard's forces surprised Blackbeard on Ocracoke Island off the coast of North Carolina. A brutal fight ensued, and Blackbeard is reported to have taken multiple cutlass wounds and gunshots before finally being subdued. His head was later displayed as a warning to other pirates.

Capture of the Pirate, Blackbeard, 1718, Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, painted in 1920

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Blackbeard's infamy has transcended the centuries. He remains one of the most recognizable pirates in popular culture. Here are some examples of his appearances in media:

Literature: Blackbeard features in countless pirate novels and historical fiction works, often portrayed as a larger-than-life villain.

Film and Television: From swashbuckling classics to modern-day action films, Blackbeard has been a popular character on the big and small screens.

Video Games: Blackbeard is a playable character or antagonist in several video games, adding to his enduring appeal in the digital age.

ACHIEVEMENTS: While Blackbeard's actions were often ruthless and violent, his legacy as one of history's most notorious pirates has left an indelible mark on popular culture and pirate lore.

Georges Bizet

NAME: Georges Bizet

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Composer, particularly known for his opera "Carmen."

BIRTH: Born on October 25, 1838, in Paris, France.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Georges Bizet was born to musical parents. His father, Adolphe, was a singing teacher and composer, while his mother, Aimée, was a pianist. His musical upbringing greatly influenced his future career. He was an only child.

CHILDHOOD: Bizet showed musical talent from an early age, composing his first piece at the age of nine. He was enrolled in the Paris Conservatoire at the age of 9 on October 9, 1848, where he studied piano, harmony, and composition.

EDUCATION: Bizet received a comprehensive musical education at the Paris Conservatoire, studying under renowned composers such as Jacques Halévy and Charles Gounod. He rapidly developed there into a brilliant pianist.

CAREER RECORD: Bizet's career was marked by both successes and struggles. While he achieved some recognition during his lifetime for his operas and orchestral works, he faced financial difficulties and struggled to gain widespread acclaim. Here's his resume:

Won several prizes at the Paris Conservatory, including the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1857.

Composed numerous operas throughout his career, but faced challenges achieving success before "Carmen."

Also composed orchestral suites, songs, and a symphony.

APPEARANCE: Bizet was described as having a somewhat disheveled appearance, with unkempt dark hair, dark eyes and an intense gaze.

Georges Bizet in 1875

FASHION: Bizet was not particularly concerned with fashion and tended to dress conservatively, focusing more on his music than his appearance.

CHARACTER: Bizet was known for his passionate and determined nature. He had a strong sense of artistic integrity and a sometimes critical nature.

Bizet was known for his meticulous attention to detail in his compositions. He would revise and refine his works extensively, sometimes even to the point of self-doubt and frustration.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: While Bizet was known to have a serious demeanor, he also had a witty and playful side, particularly among close friends and colleagues.

RELATIONSHIPS: Bizet married Geneviève Halévy, the daughter of renowned librettist Eugène Scribe, on June 3, 1869. They had one son together, Jacques, but Bizet's marriage was reportedly strained due to his demanding career and financial troubles.

Rumors swirled about Bizet's friendship with a singer named Léontine – was it just a meeting of the minds, or something more? The world may never know.

Bizet wasn't your typical buttoned-down composer. He enjoyed a good laugh and hobnobbed with the coolest artists and musicians around. Imagine hanging out with Camille Saint-Saëns – that's the kind of crowd Bizet ran with.

MONEY AND FAME: Despite his talent, Bizet struggled financially throughout his career. He never achieved significant wealth or widespread fame during his lifetime.

FOOD AND DRINK: Bizet enjoyed French cuisine, particularly traditional dishes like coq au vin and boeuf bourguignon. He also had a fondness for fine wine.

MUSIC AND ARTS: As a composer, Bizet was deeply influenced by the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and his contemporaries. He had a keen interest in both classical and folk music, which is reflected in his compositions.

By nine, Bizet was already causing a stir at the prestigious Paris Conservatory of Music, tickling the ivories like a seasoned pro. It wasn't long before this pint-sized Mozart was dazzling everyone with his brilliance.

At 19, Bizet struck gold with the Grand Prix de Rome, a government scholarship that basically meant free rent and fancy dinners in Italy for three years. During his Roman holiday, he churned out an opera, Don Procopio, (not heard until 1906),), and a Te Deum.

Back in Paris, forget stuffy teaching gigs or concert halls filled with coughing audiences. Bizet craved the thrill of composing, of weaving stories through music. He poured his heart into romantic, dramatic pieces – symphonies, piano stuff, the whole shebang. But success, that fickle mistress, remained stubbornly out of reach. His bank account, you might say, wasn't exactly overflowing with joy.

Inspiration struck from all corners for Bizet. French Romanticism? Check. Spanish folk music with its spicy rhythms? Absolutely. He even dabbled in Eastern European and Middle Eastern influences, a musical magpie collecting shiny bits from everywhere.

Then came the glimmer of hope – Bizet finally scored a hit with his opera, "The Pearl Fishers." Not a bad way to break the ice, right? But it was his last work, "Carmen," that would etch his name in musical history.

This opera wasn't your typical night at the ballet. It was a full-blown, flamenco-fueled story of a fiery gypsy named Carmen, a jealous soldier with a temper, and a love that went south faster than a dodgy soufflé. Based on a scandalous novella, "Carmen" pushed the boundaries of what audiences thought opera could be.

Well, they weren't exactly thrilled at first. Picture this: premiere night, Paris Opera on March 3, 1875. The audience – a bunch of stuffy so-and-sos – gets all ruffled by the plot's grittier aspects. Smokes! Gypsies! Robbers! Apparently, it was all a bit too much to handle. By the end, the theater was practically giving tickets away just to fill seats. Ouch.

Sadly, the flop of "Carmen" left him heartbroken. Just three months later, at the tragically young age of 37, a massive heart attack stole Bizet away. Ironic, isn't it? The opera that would become a worldwide sensation wouldn't even achieve success until after his death. Talk about a posthumous party.

Since the 1880s, "Carmen" has become one of the most beloved operas ever written

LITERATURE: Bizet had a great appreciation for literature and often drew inspiration from literary works for his operas and other compositions.

NATURE: Bizet found solace and inspiration in nature, often taking long walks in the countryside to clear his mind and stimulate his creativity.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: In addition to music, Bizet had a passion for literature and was an avid reader. He also enjoyed playing billiards and spending time outdoors.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: While Bizet did not have a formal education in science and math, he had a curious mind and was interested in various intellectual pursuits.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Bizet's music often explored philosophical and theological themes, reflecting his contemplative nature and spiritual beliefs.

SCANDAL: There were no major scandals associated with Bizet's personal or professional life.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Bizet struggled with poor health throughout his life, suffering from chronic respiratory problems and other ailments.

HOMES: Bizet lived in various apartments throughout Paris during his lifetime, but he also spent time in the countryside to escape the city's hustle and bustle.

TRAVEL: While Bizet primarily lived and worked in France, he traveled occasionally for performances and other professional engagements.

DEATH: Bizet tragically passed away on June 3, 1875, at the age of 36, just three months after the premiere of his most famous work, "Carmen." His death was attributed to a heart attack, possibly exacerbated by his poor health and the stress of his career.

Bizet may not have lived to see his masterpiece take flight, but his music continues to enthral audiences to this very day. Now that's a legacy worth singing about.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Bizet's life and works have been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries, ensuring his legacy endures in popular culture.

ACHIEVEMENTS: Despite facing adversity during his lifetime, Bizet's contributions to music, particularly his operas like "Carmen," have cemented his legacy as one of the most important composers of the 19th century. His works continue to be performed and celebrated worldwide.

Otto Von Bismarck

NAME Otto Edward Leopold Von Bismarck also known as the Iron Chancellor.

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Otto von Bismarck is famous for being the architect of German unification and the first Chancellor of the German Empire.

BIRTH Otto was born on April 1, 1815 on his family estate at Schönhausen, a village on the Elbe, north west of Berlin.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Otto came from a family who belonged to the Prussian Junker (landowner) class. From his birth he held the title Graf (Count). Otto's father, Ferdinand Von Bismarck, was a landowner and a former Prussian military officer; his mother, Wilhelmine Mencken, originally belonged to a prosperous bourgeois family. Otto had several siblings, but only an elder brother (Bernhard) and a younger sister (Malvina) survived into adulthood.

CHILDHOOD Bismarck spent his childhood on the family estate in Schönhausen, where he received a conservative upbringing typical of the Prussian aristocracy. He developed a strong sense of duty and loyalty to the Prussian state from a young age.

A very mischievous child, as a youth Otto was an indefatigable duellist. He was known as the mad Junker.

EDUCATION Otto was more cosmopolitan and highly educated than was normal for men of his background, speaking and writing English, French and Russian. He was educated at the Friedrich Wilhelm and the Grauen Kloster Secondary schools. 

Thereafter, at the age of seventeen, he joined the Georg August University of Göttingen, where he spent only a year before enrolling in the Friedrich Wilhelm University of Berlin. Desirous of joining the civil service, he studied law and despite devoting little time to study, he passed his examinations in 1835.

Bismarck in 1836, at age 21

His brain weighed 4lb 3oz.

CAREER RECORD 1836 Bismarck entered government service but could only obtain minor administrative positions in Aachen and Potsdam. As his work proved monotonous and uninteresting, he soon resigned as a civil servant.
1839 Upon his mother's death in 1839, Bismarck took over the management of his family's run-down estates at Schönhausen and restored their profitability.
1844 Had another go in the civil service but resigned after a month as he was unable to put up with his superiors.
1847 Entered Prussian parliament emerging as a rigid conservative. In the year of his marriage, Bismarck was chosen as a representative to the newly created Prussian legislature, the Vereinigter Landtag.
1851-59 Appointed Prussian representative to the Germanic Confederation, a league of the 39 German states at the Diet of Frankfurt.
1859-62 In St Petersburg as Prussian ambassador to Russia
1862 Offered a place in the Russian diplomatic service after the Czar misunderstood a comment about his likelihood of missing Saint Petersburg. Bismarck courteously declined the offer and instead was made sent to Paris to serve as ambassador to France. Returned to Berlin three months later and appointed Prime Minister and minister for foreign affairs
1871 Proclaims the German empire and becomes the first Chancellor.
1878 Presides over the international Congress of Berlin.
1890 When Kaiser Wilhelm II came to the throne in 1888 it was bad news Munchengladbach for Bismarck as Willy considered the Iron Chancellor's era to be over. In 1890 he forced him to resign over a quarrel about the rights of a minister to advise the emperor and the abolition of anti socialist legislation. He spent his last years in retirement looking after the family estates.

APPEARANCE Bismarck was ungainly, physically dominating, stern in expression, prematurely bald. Small hands and feet, clear and ruddy complexion, sparkling eyes, bushy eyebrows. He had a bushy upside v moustache.

Bismarck in 1873

He spoke with great vivacity, mellow and sonorous.

 
"Bismarck from the outlook of political actualities he was the greatest man of his century. I have never thought of him as merely the comic figure with three hairs on his bald head and a heavy football." Said Mussolini who himself was unable to part with a comb from an early age.

FASHION Bismarck liked to wear informal, simple Prussian country gentleman attire, with a soft hat, neckerchief, coat, trousers and double soiled boots. His formal uniform was that of a Prussian military officer.

CHARACTER Intelligent, perceptive, charming, straight forward, honest, stickler for formality, wily and calm. On one occasion in the Prussian Diet Bismarck was howled down. He calmly leant against the tribune, took out a newspaper from his pocket, read it and everything was calm.).

SENSE OF HUMOUR The original Herr Fun, when younger Otto got up to mischievous tricks such as releasing a fox out of a bag in a drawing room. 

He developed into a great wit and teller of anecdotes especially at the enormous dinners he threw.

RELATIONSHIPS Bismarck placed his civil service career in jeopardy after falling in love with an English heiress in Leicester and outstaying his leave trying to win her.

 
Bismarck married the noblewoman Johanna von Puttkamer (1824–1894) in 1847 on July 28, 1847 in Alt-Kolziglow, near Reinfeld. Their long and happy marriage produced three children, Herbert (b. 1849), Wilhelm (b. 1852) and Marie (b. 1847). 

Johanna was a shy, retiring and devout Lutheran. She helped iron out some of his madder tendencies.

MONEY AND FAME Bismarck established his popularity in Prussia by whipping up nationalistic fervour and advocating his blood and iron policy-military power to achieve prosperity.

 
He introduced a single currency and central bank plus national accident and health insurance.

 
Bismarck also introduced an innovative pension scheme by which all workers earning over 2,000 marks a year aged over 16 contributed equal amounts and it was payable when they reached 70.

FOOD AND DRINK In his younger days, gastronomy was Bismarck's ruling passion. Once he started attending the Diet his intake increased even more. 

In 1878 Bismarck presided over the division of Africa by the colonial powers at the Conference of Berlin while eating pickled herrings with both hands. 

By 1883 he was very bloated, over 17 stone, which made him ill and very bad tempered so for months he lived on a diet of herrings. By 1885 he was down to 14 stone. So the lesson that can be learnt from this is, if at first you don't recede diet, diet again.

A chronic insomnia sufferer, the Iron Chancellor would nightly devour caviar to give him a thirst for strong beer to help him to sleep. 

His favorite tipple was Black Velvet, a mixture of champagne and Guinness. He was also partial to burgundy wine.

MUSIC AND ARTS: While not a connoisseur of the arts, Bismarck appreciated classical music and had a keen interest in military history and strategy.

LITERATURE Bismarck was well-read in philosophy, history, and political theory, with a particular fondness for the works of Friedrich Nietzsche and Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck.

Bismarck spent his final years gathering his memoirs Gedanken und Erinnerungen, or Thoughts and Memories. A work of questionable accuracy, in which the former Iron Chancellor increased the drama around every event and always presented himself favorably.

NATURE: Bismarck had a deep appreciation for nature and enjoyed hunting and outdoor pursuits on his family estate.

When Bismarck was Chancellor he had two Danish hounds called Tyras and Tyras 2, a gift from the emperor.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Bismarck was an avid hunter and enjoyed riding and outdoor activities. He also had a passion for politics and diplomacy, which he considered more than just a profession but a lifelong pursuit.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: While not his primary focus, Bismarck recognized the importance of science and mathematics in modern society and supported education and research in these fields.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Bismarck received a humanistic education and was a freethinker in his younger days. 

Around the age of thirty he had an intense friendship with Marie von Thadden, who was newly married to a friend of his. Under her influence, he became a Pietist Lutheran, and he later recorded that at Marie's deathbed (from typhoid) he prayed for the first time since his childhood. 

His Lutheran wife, who was Marie's cousin also helped him to discover the Christian faith.

As Chancellor, he cracked down on Catholics who resisted the power of the new economy. One of Bismarck’s ministers, Adalbert Falf, attacked Roman Catholic freedoms in the Kulturkampf (cultural struggle). It was an attempt to subordinate the Roman Catholic Church in Germany to the state and the laws arising from this prohibited all Catholic religious assemblies. Many members of Catholic religious orders were expelled, including the Jesuits, a thousand priests were imprisoned or exiled and a million Catholics were left without their sacraments.

 
Bismarck said: "We Germans fear God and nothing else on earth and it is with the fear of God and nothing else that we have and cherish peace."

POLITICS Otto von Bismarck's legacy is undeniably tied to his political career. Born into Prussian aristocracy in 1815, he rose through the ranks to become the Minister-President of Prussia (1862-1890) and the architect of German unification. He masterminded a series of wars against Denmark (1864), Austria (1866), and France (1870-71) to consolidate power and establish the German Empire in 1871. As the Empire's first Chancellor (1871-1890), Bismarck dominated European politics for nearly two decades.

His domestic policies were a complex mix of social reforms, including the creation of the world's first comprehensive welfare state, and repressive measures against socialists and Catholics. He skillfully navigated the political landscape, balancing the interests of various factions within the newly formed Empire. However, his later years saw a rise in authoritarian tendencies, which eventually led to his dismissal by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1890.

The phrase ‘Dropping the Pilot’ meaning to dispense with a valued leader originated in Prussia in 1890 when a cartoon showed Kaiser Wilhem II leaning over the side of the ship as Otto Bismarck dressed as a pilot walked down the steps to disembark. The cartoon by Sir John Tenniel (1820–1914), was first published in the British magazine Punch, on March 29, 1890 (see below).

SCANDAL Bismarck was involved in several scandals throughout his career, including allegations of corruption and manipulation of the press. However, his political skill and cunning often allowed him to weather these scandals and emerge with his reputation intact.

Bismarck and  German Emperor Wilhelm I had a love/hate relationship. They had shouting matches which sometimes resulted in tears.

MILITARY RECORD Bismarck nearly enrolled in the British army in India whilst in England but he decided against it as he couldn't work out what the Indians had done to warrant what they had coming. Here's his military resume: 

1862 Bismarck said in a 1862 speech in the Prussian chamber justifying an increase in taxes to pay for a larger army: "The great questions of our day cannot be solved by speeches and majority votes…but by iron and blood."

 
1864 Conquered the Danish duchies of Schleswig-Holstein.

 
1866 Defeated Austrian in the Seven Weeks War. Bismarck had engineered it himself to establish Prussia's position as leader of the German states. He told his general to treat the Austrians as "fellow countrymen homicidally if possible."

During the Battle of Sadowa in 1866, the King of Prussia exposed himself to danger from gunshot and refused to withdraw in spite of military advice. Bismarck (who was not any old iron) remained silent during arguments, but he gave the king’s horse a sharp unnoticed kick in the flank that caused the animal to go back. With victory at the Battle of Sadowa he warded off Austria and allowed Prussia to take an important place in the confederation of North Germany.

 
1870-71 The Franco- Prussian War was engineered by Bismarck by means of an alteration in the famous ems telegram. He tricked the French into this war by altering a telegram from the king of Prussia in which he struck out the king's conciliatory words so that the telegram sounded belligerent. As a result the French declared war.

1890 The idea that the age of 65 is officially "elderly" was originated by Bismarck when he wanted to get rid of some ageing army officers.

 
Bismarck: "As for England and Germany, I regard it as an impossibility that these two countries should ever be at war and as singularly unlikely that they should even quarrel. Seriously were that to happen however it might lead to a continental conflict."

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Bismarck carried a great scar from one of his youthful duels.

 
Bismarck suffered from neuralgia, chronic insomnia, headaches, gall bladder problems and gluttony. His hypochondria led him to wrongly believe he'd had a stroke in 1880.

A pioneer of state socialism, Bismarck managed to get a social insurance system passed by the Reichstag, insuring against illness. Germany was the first European country to establish such a system of health insurance for its workers.

HOMES Bismarck spent his life living in grand estates reflecting his aristocratic background.

Schönhausen: His birthplace in Prussia (present-day Saxony-Anhalt, Germany) remained a cherished family property throughout his life.

Kniephof: An estate in Pomerania (present-day Konarzewo, Poland) where he spent his childhood and later managed the land after his university education.

Friedrichsruh: This estate near Hamburg, acquired in 1867, became his primary residence after his retirement from politics in 1890. He lived there until his death in 1898. Friedrichsruh was 20,000 acres comprising 4,000 farming and 16,000 woodland.

TRAVEL While Bismarck's life primarily revolved around Prussian and German politics, his diplomatic career involved travel to key European capitals.

Frankfurt: He served as Prussia's ambassador to the German Confederation in Frankfurt from 1851 to 1859.

St. Petersburg: He was Prussia's ambassador to Russia from 1859 to 1862, gaining valuable insights into the complexities of European power dynamics.

Paris: As ambassador to France from 1862 to 1862, he observed French politics firsthand, which informed his later decisions in unifying Germany. During his time as a minister in Paris, Bismarck spent as much time as possible in Biarritz as he greatly disliked the French capital city.

DEATH Otto von Bismarck died on July 30, 1898, at the age of 83, at Friedrichsruh where he is entombed in the Bismarck-Mausoleum. He managed one final attack on Wilhelm II by having his tombstone inscribed with the epitaph "Here lies a true servant of the Emperor Wilhelm I".

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Possibly the most famous cartoon of the 19th century was Tennell's drawing of Bismarck having been sacked by Kaiser Wilhelm entitled "Dropping the Pilot".

Numerous paintings and photographs captured Bismarck's likeness at different stages of his life.

 
Curt Jurgens played Bismarck in several episodes of the 1974 BBC TV series Fall of Eagles.

ACHIEVEMENTS 1. Changed Germany from an unruly collection of states dominated by Prussia to a rich powerful country by provoking wars with Denmark, Austria and France. The ensuing patriotic fever united all the states and in 1871 Bismarck struck whilst the iron was hot and founded the new German empire.

2.1878 The Congress of Berlin with Bizzy and Dizzy (Disraeli). His role was the honest broker in recognising independent Romania, Serbia and Montenegro and creating an autonomous Bulgaria.

3. The first leader to introduce between insurance schemes for illness, work related accident and chronic invalidism. In 1889 he introduced pension schemes. A reformer without getting bogged down by too many irons in the fire. (sorry, that's the last of the 'iron' puns)

 
4. Bismarck, the state capital of North Dakota, is named after the famous Prussian.