William Booth

NAME William Booth

WHAT FAMOUS FOR William Booth is famous for founding The Salvation Army, a worldwide Christian charitable organization known for its social services and evangelical work.

BIRTH William Booth was born on April 10, 1829, in Sneinton, Nottingham, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND William was the only son of four surviving children born to Samuel Booth and Mary Moss. Booth's speculative builder father was wealthy by the standards of the time, but during his childhood, as a result of bad investments, the family descended into poverty and Samuel Booth became an alcoholic. William said of him "He set his heart unduly upon worldly gains and was miserable when his fortune melted away."

CHILDHOOD His father's business failures led to economic difficulties, and his father died when Booth was just 14 years old, forcing him to start working at a young age to support his family.

A "careless" lad up to the age of 15, after a bad illness William's spirit became awakened and he joined a Wesleyan chapel.

EDUCATION In 1842, Samuel Booth, who by then was bankrupt, could no longer afford his son's school fees, and 13-year-old William was apprenticed to a pawnbroker, a job he despised. His lack of formal education did not hinder his self-education; he avidly read and studied the Bible and other religious texts.

CAREER RECORD Two years into his apprenticeship William was inspired by a hellfire preacher from USA. He was converted to Methodism. He then read extensively and trained himself in writing and in speech, becoming a Methodist lay preacher initially in the Nottingham slums and a pawn broker. Booth disliked pawnbroking and considered it ungodly.

1852 On 10 April, his 23rd birthday, Booth left pawnbroking and became a full-time preacher. He travelled through England as an itinerant preacher of the Methodist Reform Church and took on several minister's jobs.
1861 Booth resigned from the Methodist ministry as he was unhappy that the annual conference of the denomination kept assigning him to a pastorate, the duties of which he had to neglect to respond to the frequent requests that he do evangelistic campaigns. Instead he became an independent evangelist.
1865 Began work as unattached evangelist in London's East End heading up 'The Christian Mission.'
1878 Adopted name Salvation Army as churches were reluctant to accept his converts. 1880 William set up first Salvation Army branch in USA.

APPEARANCE William Booth was often described as tall and lean with a commanding presence. He had a prominent beard and intense, expressive eyes, which added to his charismatic and authoritative demeanor.

With his very long beard, the elderly William Booth looked like Uncle Albert in (British comedy show) Only Fools and Horses. 

William Booth By Bain News Service

FASHION Booth typically dressed in clerical attire, reflecting his role as a religious leader. In later years, he was often seen in the uniform of The Salvation Army, which he helped design to promote unity and discipline within the organization.

Booth's Salvation Army adopted their famous uniform including the bonnets which provided protective headgear when the going got rough.

CHARACTER Booth was known for his passionate dedication to social justice and his tireless work ethic. He was deeply compassionate, and driven by a strong sense of moral duty. 

Gruff voiced and a strong disciplinarian. A good orator, miraculously with Booth's beard you wouldn't think he'd be able to speak above a whisper.

SENSE OF HUMOUR While Booth was known for his serious commitment to his work, he also possessed a warm and approachable personality. He had a sense of humor that endeared him to those who worked with him, often using wit to connect with people.

It was William Booth who explained the authoritarian framework of his Salvation Army by remarking that if Moses had operated through committees the Israelites never would have got across the Red Sea."

RELATIONSHIPS William first met Catherine Mumford when he came to preach at her church in 1852. They soon fell in love and became engaged on May 15, 1852. During their three year engagement, Catherine constantly wrote letters of encouragement to William as he performed the tiring work of a preacher. They married on June 16, 1855 at Stockwell Green Congregational Church in London. Their wedding was very simple, as they wanted to use their time and money for his ministry. Even on their honeymoon Booth was asked to speak at meetings.

Catherine was a fervent Methodist of tenderest affection and great force of mind. She started preaching around 1860 and initiated a ministry of women. Catherine bore William eight children and they were reared with an iron disciple. His grand daughter Catherine Bramwell-Booth (1884-1987) was a regular on British chat shows including Parkinson in the 1970s & 80s. His son William Bramwell (1856-1929) succeeded his father as general of Salvation Army.

Catherine Booth

MONEY AND FAME Booth lived modestly despite his fame. He lived on a small income partly settled on him by a friend and partly derived from the sale of his publications. 

Booth devoted his resources to the mission of The Salvation Army. His fame grew as the organization expanded globally, becoming well-known for its charitable efforts.

FOOD AND DRINK Booth was not known for any particular culinary preferences, but he led a relatively simple lifestyle, consistent with his focus on service and mission rather than personal indulgence.

In his book In Darkest England and the Way Out, which contains proposals for the physical and spiritual assistance of the great mass of down and outs, Booth wrote, "A starving man cannot hear you preaching. Give him a bowl of soup and he will listen to every word."

Catherine was a temperance advocate and banned her husband’s medicinal port.

MUSIC AND ARTS Music played a significant role in Booth’s ministry. He believed in using music to attract people to his services and incorporated brass bands into The Salvation Army's activities. The organization became known for its distinctive musical outreach.

Booth's Salvation Army pinched the pop songs of their day and added Christian words. The bearded wonder's reaction to this was "Why should the devil have all the best tunes." Their loud processions with their drums and bass and dancing Christians disrupting the Sunday peace and quiet annoyed a lot of people.

LITERATURE Booth was a prolific writer, authoring several books and pamphlets on religious and social topics.

Booth's 1890 In Darkest England and the Way Out contained proposals for the physical and spiritual assistance of the great mass of down and outs. As a result a scheme was launched the following year for the spiritual and social betterment of the submerged tenth. Booth asked for £100,000 - more than that came in.

 
Booth founded The War Cry, the official organ of The Salvation Army.

ANIMALS Booth once ordered his children's pet dog to be shot when it snapped at a servant. He was surprised when they were heartbroken and retrieved the carcass in order to have the pelt made into a rug. The Sally Army leader was bewildered when they received this with hysteria rather than gratitude.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Booth’s life was predominantly centered around his work and mission, leaving little time for hobbies or sports. His relentless dedication to social reform and evangelism consumed most of his energy.  

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY William Booth experienced religious conversion at the age of 15 through the ministry of an American hellfire preacher and devoted his evenings over the following few years to religious work in the local slums. It is here that became acquainted with conditions of life among the very poor. Later Booth became a full-time travelling evangelist for the Methodist church. Trekking up and down the country by train, the recently married Booth and his wife, Catherine, survived on £2 a week.

 
In 1865 Booth and his wife started their mission aimed at the unprivileged classes that lived in unspeakable poverty in the East End of London. Thirteen years later, the annual Christmas appeal for William Booth’s Mission was drawn up. The circular was in dialogue form and to one of the questions “What is the Christian mission?” the answer was “a volunteer army”. Suddenly Booth seized a pen, crossed out “volunteer” and wrote instead “salvation”, thus coining the title “Salvation Army” for his movement.

The Christian Mission becomes The Salvation Army (May 1878).

His book In Darkest England, and the Way Out (1890) contained proposals for the physical and spiritual redemption of the many down-and-outs Booth ministered to. It was not only a best-seller after its 1890 release, but also set the foundation for the Army's modern social welfare schemes.

 
As a preacher Booth was a populist crowd puller. For example he was known to demonstrate the easy road to Hell by sliding down the stair-rail of his pulpit. A champion of the poor he railed against those who “reduce sweating to a fine art, who systematically and deliberately defraud the workman of his pay, who grind the faces of the poor and rob the widow and the orphan.”

In 1912 Booth, who had been in poor health for several years was dying. When asked what had been the secret of his success all the way through, the General replied “I will tell you the secret, God has had all there was of me!” 

The end of his last speech went as follows: “While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight. While little children go hungry, I’ll fight. While there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, where there remains one dark soul without the light of God- I’ll fight! I’ll fight to the very end!”

SCANDAL In their early days Booth's "hallelujah band" of converted criminals and others met violent opposition. A skeleton army, supported by brewers which opposed Booth's teetotalism as a threat to their trade, was organised to break up meetings and for years the rank and file and the general himself incurred fines and imprisonment for breaches of peace. In 1882, 642 Salvation Army officers including women were assaulted and 60 Salvation Army buildings damaged. Even leading evangelical, Lord Shaftesbury referred to him as "anti-Christ."

 
When King Edward VII invited Booth to be officially present at his 1902 coronation ceremony, the public changed their views. By 1905 he was the cat's whiskers. The Salvation Army General went on a tour of the country and was received in state by many mayors and corporations.

MILITARY RECORD Booth had no military record. The military structure and terminology used in The Salvation Army were metaphorical, intended to emphasize discipline and organization.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Booth remained active and vigorous well into his later years. Although his relentless work pace often took a toll on his health, but he maintained his duties as long as possible.

Booth discovered in 1909 that he was blind in his right eye and the sight in his left eye was dimmed by cataracts. On August 21, 1909 a surgeon at Guy's Hospital removed his right eye.

HOMES Booth lived in various locations throughout his life, often moving to areas where he could best serve his mission. In his later years, he resided in Hadley Wood, North London.

TRAVEL Booth traveled extensively to promote The Salvation Army, visiting the United States, Canada, Australia, and several European countries to establish and support the organization’s international branches.

In 1904 Booth took part in a 'motorcade' when he was driven around Great Britain, stopping off in cities, towns and villages to preach to the assembled crowds from inside his open-top car.

DEATH William Booth was 83 years old when he died on August 20, 1912 at his home in Hadley Wood, London. He had been in poor health for several years. 

At the three day lying in state at Clapton Congress Hall 150,000 people filed past his casket. 

On August 27, 1912, Booth's funeral service was held at London’s Olympia where 40,000 people attended, including Queen Mary, who sat almost unrecognised far to the rear of the great hall.

The following day Booth's funeral procession set out from International Headquarters. As it moved off 10,000 uniformed Salvationists fell in behind. Forty Salvation Army bands played the ‘Dead March’ from Handel’s Saul as the vast procession set off. He was buried with his wife Catherine Booth in the main London burial ground for 19th century non-conformist ministers and tutors, the non-denominational Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Booth has been featured in various biographies, documentaries, and films about The Salvation Army. His life and work continue to inspire portrayals in media focused on social justice and religious history.

ACHIEVEMENTS (1) Booth founded the Salvation Army. By the time of his death his activities for the down and outs had extended all over the world.

(2) Booth's Salvation Army learnt that Under 16-year-old girls were being exploited as prostitutes. They were trapped and lured into brothels in London by adverts in county newspapers requesting "domestic help needed." Lured inside, drugged, raped and shipped off in caskets to Brussels and Antwerp, they were delivered to businessmen who had put in orders. The Salvation Army exposed this trade in a series of articles in the Pall Mall Gazette in the mid 1880s. As a result a 400,000 petition persuaded Parliament to change the age of consent from 12 to 16.

 
(3) His book In Darkest England And The Way Out not only caused a sensation after its 1890 release, but it set the foundation for modern social welfare schemes.

Source Food For Thought by Ed Pearce

John Wilkes Booth

NAME John Wilkes Booth. He was named after English radical politician John Wilkes, a distant relative.

WHAT FAMOUS FOR John Wilkes Booth is infamous for assassinating President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865.

BIRTH John Wilkes Booth was born on May 10, 1838, in Bel Air, Maryland, United States.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Booth came from a prominent theatrical family. His father, Junius Brutus Booth, was a renowned British actor, and his mother, Mary Ann Holmes, was his father's mistress before they emigrated to the United States and married.

Booth’s brother, Edwin Booth, was the greatest American actor of the nineteenth century. 

CHILDHOOD Booth grew up on the family farm in Maryland, known as Tudor Hall. He was the ninth of ten children and was reportedly a spirited and often rebellious child.

EDUCATION Booth received his early education at private schools in Maryland and later attended the Milton Boarding School for Boys. He was known more for his athleticism and charm than his academic achievements.

CAREER RECORD Booth followed in his father's footsteps, becoming an actor. He made his stage debut at the age of 17 in Baltimore. Over the next decade, he gained fame for his performances in Shakespearean plays, particularly for his portrayal of characters such as Romeo and Brutus.

APPEARANCE He stood 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) tall, had jet-black hair, Booth was described as strikingly handsome, with a well-groomed mustache, and expressive eyes. His physical appeal contributed to his popularity on stage.

John Wilkes Booth

FASHION Booth was known for his elegant and fashionable attire, often wearing well-tailored suits that highlighted his charismatic stage presence.

CHARACTER Booth was charismatic and passionate but also deeply impulsive and hot-tempered. He held strong political beliefs, particularly in favor of the Southern cause during the Civil War.

SENSE OF HUMOUR He was known to be charming and engaging, with a sharp wit and a talent for mimicry.

RELATIONSHIPS Booth was romantically involved with several women throughout his life, though he never married. His relationships were often intense but fleeting.

Booth had a whirlwind romance with Lucy Lambert Hale, daughter of Senator John P. Hale of New Hampshire, They became secretly engaged in early 1865 and Booth composed a handwritten Valentine card for his fiancée on February 13, 1865, expressing his "adoration". 

Contemporary accounts from Washington society in the 1850s–60s frequently describe Lucy Hale as exceptionally attractive, charming, and socially magnetic. Being the daughter of a US Senator also placed her in prominent social circles where her looks and charisma were openly noted.

Biographers note that by her early teens she was already receiving poems and letters from young men infatuated with her.

She was unaware of Booth's deep antipathy towards Lincoln. A photo of Hale was found on Booth's body.

MONEY AND FAME Booth dabbled in oil during the Pennsylvania boom. In late 1863, he partnered with Cleveland's Academy manager and a gambler to form the Dramatic Oil Company. They leased land and drilled a well, but inexperience and a risky attempt to boost production led to disaster. The company folded, leaving Booth with a failed business venture before his even more infamous act.

By the time of his death, Booth had achieved considerable fame and wealth as an actor, earning substantial sums for his performances.

FOOD AND DRINK As a man of his era and social standing, he likely enjoyed the finer things, including rich meals and spirits.

Booth spent the afternoon drinking before assassinating Lincoln, so was quite drunk when he pulled the trigger during the third act.

MUSIC AND ARTS Booth was deeply immersed in the arts, particularly theater. He was known for his dramatic interpretations of Shakespearean roles and had a passion for performance and dramatic expression.

Booth made his stage debut on August 14, 1855, in the supporting role of the Earl of Richmond in Richard III at Baltimore's Charles Street Theater.  His debut was about as smooth as a greased pig wrestling competition. The Baltimore audience weren't shy about hissing at the young actor when he fumbled his lines in Richard III. 

But Booth persevered. He honed his craft, eventually charming audiences and critics alike. The man became a box office magnet, raking in a cool £20,000 a year – a king's ransom in those days.

Then came a truly bizarre coincidence. Just days before delivering his immortal Gettysburg Address, President Lincoln caught Booth onstage, chewing the scenery as some villain in a play. Apparently, Booth delivered his lines with such venom, someone quipped to Lincoln, "He almost seems to be reciting these lines to you."" Lincoln, ever the picture of stoicism, just chuckled and said, "He does talk very sharp at me, doesn't he?" Little did he know how prophetic that would be.

Boston Museum playbill advertising Booth in Romeo and Juliet, May 3, 1864

LITERATURE Booth was well-read, particularly in Shakespearean literature, which influenced his acting career and perhaps his dramatic worldview.

NATURE Booth enjoyed outdoor activities and was known for his physical vigor, often engaging in horseback riding and hunting.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS His primary hobby was acting, but Booth also loved fencing, a skill that added to his on-stage presence. He also enjoyed horseback riding and other outdoor activities.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Booth was a staunch supporter of the Confederacy and held strong beliefs in states' rights and Southern honor. He viewed Lincoln's policies as tyrannical and felt a deep sense of mission in opposing him.

SCANDAL On April 14, 1865. Booth was picking up his mail at Ford's Theater when he overheard a juicy tidbit – President Lincoln planned to catch a show that very night! Now, Booth knew this particular play, Our American Cousin, like the back of his hand. A truly terrible play, by all accounts, but perfect for Booth's nefarious plans.

What unfolded next is the stuff of history books (and, unfortunately, some truly terrible movies). Booth hatched a harebrained scheme to assassinate not just Lincoln, but the entire cabinet .  He snuck into the presidential box during a particularly hilarious bit – apparently, the audience roared with laughter after a line about a "sockdologizing old man-trap." It was then, under the cover of guffaws, that Booth did the unthinkable.

With a bang that silenced the merriment, Booth pumped a bullet into Lincoln's head.  Then, in a move that would make any self-respecting thespian cringe, he shouted a triumphant line (presumably not from the play) and leaped from the balcony like a deranged acrobat.  He landed with a sickening thud, breaking his leg in the process, but managed to hobble out on his trusty steed and disappear into the night.

Booth ended up holed up in a barn, where a Union soldier named Boston Corbett, in a moment of questionable aim, shot him. Let's just say Booth's curtain call came a bit sooner than he anticipated.

The assassination of Lincoln was a national tragedy. Even newspapers that had previously criticized the president condemned the act. Sure, some folks in the South might have secretly cheered, but most people, North and South alike, were just plain horrified. Booth's actions not only ended a life, but cast a long shadow over a nation still reeling from the Civil War.

MILITARY RECORD Booth did not serve in the Confederate Army, though he was a strong supporter of the Southern cause. He acted as a spy and courier for the Confederacy and briefly considered a plot to kidnap Lincoln to aid the Confederacy..

POLITICAL BELIEFS Booth became politically active in the 1850s, joining the Know-Nothing Party, a group that wanted fewer immigrants to come to the United States.

A strong supporter of the Confederacy and the Southern way of life, Booth deeply resented President Lincoln and his abolitionist policies. His political views ultimately led to the assassination of Lincoln.

Five weeks before assassinating the President, Booth attended Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration on March 4, 1865.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Booth was in good physical shape, known for his athletic build and vigorous activity level, which included horseback riding and fencing.

Booth was known for his dangerous style of acting, and injuries were not uncommon. During his 1860 Southern tour, a fellow actor accidentally shot him in the thigh during a performance, forcing a weeks-long recovery. Despite this, the tour was considered a great success and elevated him to national stardom. (1)

HOMES Booth grew up on a 150-acre (61 ha) farm near Bel Air, Maryland, Booth's father built Tudor Hall on the Harford County property as the family's summer home in 1851, while also maintaining a winter residence on Exeter Street in Baltimore. 

Booth lived in various places throughout his acting career, including Baltimore, New York, and eventually Washington, D.C.

TRAVEL As an actor, Booth traveled extensively across the United States, performing in numerous cities and theaters.

DEATH John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, died on April 26, 1865, at the age of 26. After twelve days on the run, Booth was tracked to the Garrett farm near Port Royal, Virginia, by Union cavalry. Booth and his accomplice, David Herold, were found hiding in a tobacco barn. Herold surrendered, but Booth refused to come out, declaring, "I prefer to come out and fight." The soldiers set the barn on fire to flush him out. As Booth moved inside the burning barn, Sergeant Boston Corbett shot him through the neck. The bullet severed Booth’s spinal cord, paralyzing him. He was dragged from the barn to the porch of the farmhouse, where he died about three hours later. His last words, spoken while looking at his hands, were reportedly, "Useless, useless". (2)

The killing of Booth (Frank Leslie's Illustrated News)

Booth’s body was shrouded in a blanket and transported by wagon to Belle Plain, then by boat to the Washington Navy Yard. There, his body was identified by more than ten people who knew him, using features such as a tattoo of his initials "J.W.B." on his hand and a distinctive scar on his neck. An autopsy was performed, during which three vertebrae were removed to extract the bullet; these bones were later displayed at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington, D.C.

The handling of Booth’s remains was shrouded in secrecy to prevent his grave from becoming a shrine or being disturbed by sympathizers. Initially, Booth was buried in a gun box beneath the floor of a storage room at the Arsenal Penitentiary in Washington, D.C., where some of his co-conspirators were also interred. In 1867, his remains were moved to a warehouse on the Arsenal grounds.

In 1869, President Andrew Johnson authorized the release of Booth’s remains to his family. Booth’s brother, the famous actor Edwin Booth, arranged for his burial in the family plot at Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland. The burial ceremony was conducted by Fleming James, minister of Christ Episcopal Church, in the presence of more than 40 people. Booth’s grave is unmarked within the family plot, a decision made by his family-especially Edwin Booth-to avoid attracting attention or vandalism. Today, visitors often leave pennies on the presumed grave marker, symbolically giving Lincoln "the final word." (3)

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Booth has been portrayed in numerous films, television shows, and books, often focusing on his role in the assassination of Lincoln and his life as an actor and Confederate sympathizer. They include:

Movies: The Birth of a Nation (1915), Prince Of Players (1955), The Lincoln Conspiracy (1977) , The Conspirator (2010), Killing Lincoln (2013).

TV:  Apple TV+ miniseries Manhunt (2024)

Documentary: American Experience: John Wilkes Booth (2011)

Books: John Wilkes Booth : A Sister's Memoir by Asia Booth Clarke (1938), Manhunt: The Twelve-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson (2006)

ACHIEVEMENTS Booth achieved considerable acclaim as an actor and was well-regarded in theatrical circles. However, his lasting legacy is overwhelmingly overshadowed by his act of assassinating Abraham Lincoln, an event that profoundly impacted American history.

Sources (1) Baltimore Magazine (2) American Battlefield Trust (3) Atlas Obscura

Daniel Boone

NAME Daniel Boone

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Daniel Boone is famous for his exploration and settlement of Kentucky, his role as a pioneer and frontiersman, and his exploits in the American wilderness during the 18th century.

BIRTH Daniel Boone was born on November 2, 1734, in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Boone was the sixth of eleven children born to Squire Boone, a weaver and blacksmith, and Sarah Morgan, who was of Welsh descent. The Boone family were Quakers who emigrated from England to America.

CHILDHOOD Boone spent his early years in the wilderness of Pennsylvania, where he received his first rifle at the age of 12.  The young Daniel learned hunting, trapping, and survival skills. His family later moved to the Yadkin Valley in North Carolina, which further fueled his love for exploration.

EDUCATION Daniel Boone received little formal education, but he was literate and educated himself through practical experience in the woods and by reading.

CAREER RECORD Boone's career as a frontiersman began in earnest when he led a group of settlers through the Cumberland Gap to Kentucky. He helped establish the settlement of Boonesborough in 1775 and played a crucial role in the westward expansion of the United States. 

Boone wasn't just a hunter, trapper, guide, and adventurer. He saw military action in the American Revolution, French and Indian War, and was also a tavern owner, surveyor, land speculator, legislator, horse trader, and slave owner.

APPEARANCE Daniel Boone was described as being of medium height with a sturdy, athletic build. He had fair skin, blue eyes, and sandy hair. Below is an 1820 portrait of Boone by Chester Harding, the only known portrait of him made during his lifetime.

FASHION Boone was known for his practical frontier attire, which typically included buckskin clothing, moccasins, and a coonskin cap, though the latter was more of a myth popularized by later stories. He is reported to have said that he found them to be unstylish and instead donned hats made from beaver.

CHARACTER Boone was known for his bravery, resourcefulness, and pioneering spirit. He was also considered honest, kind-hearted, and a natural leader.

SENSE OF HUMOUR There is little specific documentation of Boone's sense of humour, but his ability to tell stories and entertain others suggests he had a lively and engaging personality.

RELATIONSHIPS Daniel Boone married Rebecca Bryan (January 9, 1739 – March 18, 1813) on August 14, 1756, and they had ten children together. Rebecca was nearly as tall as her husband and was very attractive with black hair and dark eyes. Their marriage was strong and supportive, despite the many hardships they faced.

Rebecca's life as a frontier wife was marked by constant challenges and frequent relocations. Over the first 25 years of their 57-year marriage, she moved at least 10 times and gave birth to 10 children. In addition to raising her own children, Rebecca took in and cared for eight nephews and nieces, effectively raising 18 children.

Daniel Boone, the quintessential frontiersman, turns out to have had a family life more befitting a daytime soap opera than a history book. Turns out, his daughter Jemima, well, wasn't exactly his. Historians now suspect she was the product of a little fraternization between Rebecca, and Boone's own brother, Ned. Seems Boone was off on a two-year hunting trip when this little bit of frontier whoops-a-daisy happened. Boone just raised Jemima as his own, adding her to the already bustling Boone brood.

Speaking of bustling, tragedy wasn't kind to the Boone family. Two of his sons met a gruesome end at the hands of Native Americans, a macabre warning to settlers to hightail it out of Kentucky. Boone, ever the pragmatist, reluctantly agreed, leading the family back east. 

Based on The Rescue, a controversial statue that once stood outside the United States Capitol building

MONEY AND FAME Boone struggled financially throughout his life despite his fame as a frontiersman. Land speculation and legal troubles often left him in debt.

Boone became a folk hero during his lifetime, celebrated for his pioneering spirit.

FOOD AND DRINK As a hunter and trapper, Boone's diet consisted largely of game meat, wild fruits, and vegetables. He was also known to enjoy cornmeal-based foods like cornbread.

MUSIC AND ARTS The frontier life and natural surroundings likely influenced his appreciation for storytelling and folk traditions.

LITERATURE Boone's adventures and experiences were the subject of numerous books, articles, and folklore, contributing significantly to American frontier literature.

The Discovery, Settlement and present State of Kentucke and an Essay towards the Topography, and Natural History of that important Country, a 1784 book by Kentucky school teacher John Filson.  An account of Boone's adventures, it made him famous in America and Europe.

NATURE Boone had a deep connection with nature, spending much of his life in the wilderness and advocating for the exploration and settlement of new lands.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Hunting, trapping, and exploring were Boone's primary activities, which were both his hobbies and means of livelihood.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Boone had a practical understanding of navigation, geography, and survival skills but did not engage in formal scientific or mathematical pursuits.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Raised in a Quaker family with pacifist beliefs, Boone held a strong belief in individual freedom and was known for his tolerance and fairness, though he did not adhere strictly to any one religious doctrine.

SCANDAL Boone faced several controversies, including disputes over land claims and financial difficulties. Despite these challenges, he maintained a reputation for integrity.

MILITARY RECORD Boone served in the French and Indian War and later in the American Revolutionary War. 

When two of his daughters were snatched by a war party, Boone, ever the resourceful fellow, managed to scare them off and bring his girls home safe.

Abduction of Boone's Daughter, painting by Karl Ferdinand Wimar, 

Being captured by Native Americans seemed to be a Boone family tradition. Daniel himself was nabbed a few times. In one particularly bizarre incident, he was adopted by a Shawnee chief in 1775. The chief, clearly a man with a whimsical streak, bestowed upon Boone the name "Shel-tow-ee," which translates roughly to "Big Turtle" – a testament, perhaps, to Boone's impressive pack-carrying abilities and leisurely pace. This forced family bonding lasted five whole months before the ever-restless Boone escaped, swiped a horse, and hightailed it 160 miles back to civilization. By that point, his family, convinced he was pushing up daisies, had already hightailed it back to North Carolina. Talk about awkward family reunions.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Boone's rugged lifestyle kept him physically fit and healthy for most of his life. His survival skills and endurance were legendary.

HOMES Boone lived in various locations throughout his life, reflecting his pioneering spirit and the ongoing struggle to secure land ownership on the frontier.

Born in Pennsylvania, he moved with his family to North Carolina as a young man. In Kentucky, he played a key role in founding Boonesborough, a crucial early settlement. Later in life, land disputes and financial difficulties forced him to move again, eventually settling in Missouri.

TRAVEL Boone was a prolific traveler, exploring vast areas of the American frontier. His journeys took him through uncharted territories, and he played a significant role in mapping and settling new lands.

In 1775, he carved a path through the wilderness known as the Wilderness Road. Imagine hacking your way through dense forests with an ax – that's Boone's idea of a weekend getaway. This path, a crucial artery for westward expansion, allowed settlers to flood into Kentucky and beyond. It was basically the Uber of the 18th century frontier.

Boonesborough, one of the first settlements west of the Appalachians, owes a debt of gratitude to Boone. He played a pivotal role in its establishment, solidifying his association with Kentucky. 

Boone's First View of Kentucky, William Tylee Ranney (1849)

DEATH Daniel Boone died on September 26, 1820, at the age of 85, in Defiance, Missouri. He was initially buried next to his wife, Rebecca, but their remains were later moved to the Frankfort Cemetery in Kentucky.

The singer and entertainer Pat Boone was descended (on his father's side) from Daniel Boone

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Daniel Boone's fame as a frontiersman made him a popular subject in American culture.

Numerous books have been written about his life, fictionalizing and romanticizing his adventures.

He has been portrayed in countless films and television shows, solidifying his image as a quintessential American pioneer. Especially noteworthy was Daniel Boone, an TV series, starring Fess Parker as  Boone, that ran on NBC for six seasons, from 1964 until 1970.

Boone's life has been depicted in numerous books, television shows, and movies. He is often portrayed as the quintessential American frontiersman.

ACHIEVEMENTS Daniel Boone's achievements are multifaceted and left a lasting impact on American history.

He is credited with opening Kentucky for settlement, paving the way for westward expansion.

His pioneering spirit and exploration skills played a vital role in shaping the character of the American frontier.

Boone's contributions to the American Revolution in the West helped secure the region for the newly formed nation.

Beyond his specific actions, he became a symbol of American self-reliance, courage, and connection to the wilderness.

Bono

NAME Paul David Hewson, known professionally as Bono. The name Bono refers to a type of hearing aid and in Latin means "good voice".

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Bono is famous as the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the rock band U2. He is also well-known for his activism in human rights and global poverty issues.

BIRTH Bono was born on May 10, 1960, in Dublin, Ireland.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Bono was born to Brendan Robert "Bob" Hewson, a postal worker, and Iris Rankin Hewson. His father was Roman Catholic, and his mother was Protestant.

CHILDHOOD Bono grew up in the suburb of Finglas, Dublin. He experienced tragedy early on when his mother died of a cerebral aneurysm three days after her father's funeral when he was just 14 years old. The U2 songs "I Will Follow", "Tomorrow" and "Iris (Hold Me Close)" all reference her passing.

EDUCATION Bono attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School, where he met his future U2 bandmates. He did not pursue higher education, choosing instead to focus on his music career.

CAREER RECORD Bono co-founded U2 in 1976. The band achieved global success with albums like The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. Bono has also been involved in various philanthropic endeavors and co-founded the advocacy organization ONE and the (RED) campaign.

APPEARANCE Bono is known for his distinct appearance, often wearing sunglasses due to light sensitivity. He has a prominent jawline and a lean physique.

Bono 2017 By Daniel Hazard - https://u2start.com/photos/view/29157/,

FASHION Bono's fashion style includes a mix of rock star edginess and sophistication. He often wears leather jackets, fitted jeans, and his trademark sunglasses.

CHARACTER Bono is known for his charismatic and passionate personality. He is a driven individual with a strong sense of social justice. The U2 frontman is often described as an intense and complex individual.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Bono has a sharp wit and often uses humor in interviews and public appearances to engage with his audience and make serious points more palatable.

RELATIONSHIPS Bono married Alison Stewart in a Church of Ireland ceremony at All Saints Church in her home area, Raheny on August 31, 1982. They have four children together: Jordan, Eve, Elijah, and John.

Eve is an established actress. Her full name is Memphis Eve Sunny Day Iris Hewson. "I keep asking my parents where the Memphis comes from," she told The Radio Times. "They say, 'you were conceived in Memphis,' or 'It's because you came out with a bunch of hair looking like Elvis.' I don't think they know themselves to be honest."

Eve Hewson in 2016 By The Paparazzi Gamer (TPG) - YouTube: 

Elijah is the lead vocalist and guitarist in the rock band Inhaler.

MONEY AND FAME As of 2024, Bono's estimated net worth is over $700 million. He has amassed wealth through his music career and various business ventures, including investments in technology companies.

FOOD AND DRINK Bono enjoys a variety of foods and is known to appreciate fine dining. He is also a fan of whiskey. 

Bono supports sustainable food practices and has been involved in campaigns to promote food security.

MUSIC AND ARTS Bono's contributions to music are immense, with U2 being one of the world's best-selling music artists. He also collaborates with other artists and is involved in various artistic projects.

U2 began with a notice on a school board pinned on September 25, 1976 by 14-year-old drummer Larry Mullen Jr. He asked for musicians to start a group  and seven boys turned up to their first practice. The final line-up was lead singer Bono (born Paul Hewson), lead guitarist The Edge (born David Evans), bassist Adam Clayton, and drummer Larry Mullen Jr. They've been together ever since. 

The band achieved global success and Bono's expressive vocal style and grandiose gestures, along with his lyrics often containing social, political, and religious themes, have defined U2's music. Their album The Joshua Tree became the fastest-selling in UK history and the first to sell over a million CDs.

As a member of U2, Bono has received 22 Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band's U2 360° Tour, which took place from 2009 to 2011, broke records as the highest-grossing concert tour of all time.

Bono is also interested in visual arts and poetry.

LITERATURE A voracious reader, Bono is influenced by writers such as James Joyce and Samuel Beckett.

Bono is an avid reader and has often cited literary influences in his songwriting. He has written articles and essays on various topics, including politics and social issues.

Bono's 2022 memoir, Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story is a candid and revealing autobiography. As the title suggests, the book is structured around 40 U2 songs, each serving as a chapter and a touchstone for exploring different periods and themes in Bono's life.

NATURE Bono has expressed a deep appreciation for nature and environmental conservation. He supports various ecological initiatives and has spoken about the importance of preserving the planet.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Bono enjoys cycling and is often seen biking around Dublin. He also has an interest in art and photography.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Bono's advocacy often intersects with science, particularly in areas like health and technology. He supports scientific research in the fight against diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Bono's lyrics often explore philosophical and theological themes. He identifies as a Christian and frequently discusses spirituality and the moral imperatives of his faith. Essentially, he believes Jesus was either divine, demonic, or delusional – and he’s pretty sure it wasn’t the latter two options.

POLITICS Bono is an outspoken advocate for various political causes, including debt relief for developing countries, human rights, and climate change. He has met with numerous world leaders to discuss these issues.

ACTIVISM  Bono is known for his activism for social justice causes. He co-founded DATA, EDUN, the ONE Campaign, and Product Red, focusing on fighting extreme poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa. He was named Time Person of the Year in 2005 and has participated in benefit concerts and lobbied politicians and heads of state for relief.

SCANDAL Bono has generally maintained a positive public image. However, he has faced criticism over U2's tax arrangements and the ethics of his investment practices, as well as bypassing African businesses in his activist efforts.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Bono has had several health challenges, including a serious cycling accident in 2014 and a back injury in 2010. He maintains his fitness through cycling and a balanced lifestyle. In late 2016, Bono had a near-death experience and revealed in his 2022 memoir that he underwent open-heart surgery due to a "blister" in his aorta.

HOMES Bono owns several properties, including a home in Killiney, Dublin, and residences in France and the United States.

TRAVEL Bono travels extensively for both his music career and philanthropic work. He is known for his international advocacy trips and world tours with U2.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Bono has appeared in various media, including documentaries, interviews, and guest spots on television shows. He has also been featured in numerous magazines and articles.

ACHIEVEMENTS Bono has received numerous awards, including the Nobel Man of Peace Award, honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, and multiple Grammy Awards with U2. He is the only person to be nominated for an Oscar, a Grammy, a Golden Globe, and the Nobel Peace Prize. He has been recognized for his contributions to music and global humanitarian efforts.

Bonnie Prince Charlie

NAME Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Sylvester Severino Maria Stuart, commonly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie.

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Bonnie Prince Charlie is most famous for leading the Jacobite uprising of 1745 in an attempt to restore his family, the House of Stuart, to the British throne.

BIRTH Bonnie Prince Charlie was born on December 31, 1720, in the Palazzo Muti in Rome, Italy.

FAMILY BACKGROUND He was the eldest son of James Francis Edward Stuart, the Old Pretender, and Maria Clementina Sobieska, a Polish princess. He was the grandson of James II of England and VII of Scotland, who was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. 

Charles had a younger brother, Henry Benedict, who became a Roman Catholic priest and later a bishop and a cardinal. He was known for his charity and his kindness, and he was a popular figure in Rome. Henry Benedict's death on July 13, 1807 marked the end of the Stuart male line and the Jacobite dynasty. 

CHILDHOOD Charles spent his early years in Italy, growing up in Rome and Bologna, where he was surrounded by a court of Jacobite supporters who nurtured his belief in his family's right to the British throne.

Charles was a bright and curious child, and he loved to learn. 

EDUCATION His education was typical for a prince of his time, focusing on languages, history, military strategy, and the arts. He received instruction from private tutors.

Charles was highly intelligent. At six-years-old, he had more languages under his belt than most diplomats – English, French, Italian, Latin, the whole shebang. Apparently, he could also do math and even knew where all the countries were,.

CAREER RECORD Charles's career is marked by his leadership of the 1745 Jacobite rebellion. Despite initial successes, his campaign ultimately ended in defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

APPEARANCE Contemporary accounts describe Bonnie Prince Charlie as handsome, with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and a distinctive aquiline nose. He was of  above average height and had a strong, athletic build. In later years, he put on weight and his skin became more ruddy. Some people have commented that he looks bloated and gross.

Portrait by William Mosman

FASHION Bonnie Prince Charlie was known for his elegant style, often wearing elaborate Highland dress to symbolize his connection to Scotland and the Jacobite cause. He also wore contemporary European court attire.

Bonnie Prince Charlie wore a tartan coat and trousers during the Battle of Culloden. After the battle many highland traditions were banned such as the wearing of kilts.

CHARACTER He was charismatic, determined, and confident, traits that helped him gain and maintain the loyalty of his followers. However, he was also known for being stubborn and occasionally reckless.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Accounts of Charles’s sense of humour suggest he had a lively wit and enjoyed good-natured banter, often engaging in playful exchanges with his supporters and companions.

RELATIONSHIPS Charles had a number of romantic liaisons but only one legitimate marriage, to Princess Louise of Stolberg-Gedern who he married by proxy on March 28, 1772. The couple met for the first time on  April 14, 1772, when they renewed their marriage vows in person in the town of Macerata, Italy.

The marriage was unhappy and childless. Princess Louise requested from the pope a decree of separation, which she was granted in 1780. 

Princess Louise of Stolberg-Gedern (1752–1824), c. 1772

Charles had an illegitimate daughter, Charlotte, with his mistress Clementina Walkinshaw.

MONEY AND FAME Despite his royal heritage, Charles struggled with finances, especially after the failed rebellion. His fame persisted, however, making him a romantic figure in British history and folklore.

FOOD AND DRINK Charles enjoyed the finer things in life, including good food and wine. However, in his later years, he struggled with alcoholism, which affected his health and relationships.

While fleeing for his life after the Battle of Culloden, Charles befriended a chap named Captain Mackinnon who befriended him. To show his gratitude, Charles offered up the recipe for his favorite tipple – a boozy concoction of whisky, heather, honey, and enough spices to knock a yak off its feet. This secret recipe is still guarded by the Mackinnons like Fort Knox, and is the very same stuff you find in a bottle of Drambuie – "a drink that satisfies" in Gaelic, which is a pretty apt description if you've ever had a taste of the real stuff.

MUSIC AND ARTS He appreciated music and the arts, patronizing musicians and artists. The Jacobite cause inspired a rich tradition of songs and poetry celebrating his efforts.

LITERATURE Charles's life and the Jacobite cause have been subjects of numerous books, poems, and historical novels, cementing his legacy in British literary history.

NATURE His campaigns took him through the rugged Scottish Highlands, fostering a connection with the land.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Charles enjoyed outdoor activities, including hunting and riding. His military training and campaigns also kept him physically active.

Bonnie Prince Charlie was a skilled boxer and crackshot and physically fit, he marched scores of miles each day alongside his men. Whilst living in Avignon, Bonnie Prince Charlie taught the local people how to box.

SCIENCE AND MATHS There is no notable record of Charles having a particular interest or aptitude in science and mathematics.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY As a Catholic claimant to the British throne, religion played a significant role in his life. He was a devout Catholic and believed in the divine right of kings.

SCANDAL Charles's life was marked by several scandals, including his romantic entanglements, struggles with alcohol, and the eventual collapse of his marriage.

MILITARY RECORD Charles’s military record is defined by his leadership in the Jacobite uprising of 1745-46. 

Now, the Stuarts, his family, weren't exactly the reigning royals anymore, having been booted out a generation or two back. So, Charles, ever the optimist, landed in Scotland with a gaggle of fighters, determined to reclaim the throne. He raised his bulk standard at the head of Loch Shiel on August 19, 1745 and captured a few towns getting as far as Derby on December 4, 1745, by which time he'd ran out of food. It was the furthest point south Charles Stuart and his merry band  reached during the Jacobite rebellion and they were forced to turn back north. 

Things went downhill fast from there. The English Catholics, who Charles was probably counting on for a bit of a rebellion party, decided to stay home and bake scones instead. A £6 million reward was slapped on Charles' head, but bless their kilted hearts, the Scots wouldn't dream of betraying him.

On April 16, 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart met a British government force under Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland at the Battle of Culloden, on Drummossie Moor near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. It was the last pitched battle fought on British soil.

Well, within an hour, things went about as well as a haggis-fueled pillow fight for Charles. The Scots were down a whopping 1,500 men, while the Brits lost a measly 50. Not a good look for Charles. And apparently Charles didn't exactly cover himself in glory either. He saw things going south faster than a kilt in a hurricane he gave the order "Every man for himself" and scarpered like a rabbit. Not the most inspiring leadership, but hey, at least he wasn't stuck around to get his head chopped off.

Painting by David Morier depicting the 1746 Battle of Culloden

So, Charles was now a fugitive, hiding out on some tiny island called Benbecula. Not exactly the Ritz, but it beats being hanged, right? His only hope for escape is to get to the Isle of Skye. Enter Flora Macdonald, a lass with more guts than a haggis-eating champion. She hatches this crazy plan to disguise Charles as her Irish maid, "Betty Burke", and sneak him across the water. Charles thought it was a bit much, but hey, desperate times call for desperate measures, and it actually worked! Prince Charles made it back to France and eventually returned to Italy where he remained for the rest of his life.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Charles experienced various health issues throughout his life. His later years were marked by a decline in health, exacerbated by alcoholism.

HOMES Bonnie Prince Charlie spent his early years in the Palazzo Muti, Rome. His father had been given the residence by Pope Clement XI. 

After his efforts to reclaim the British throne failed, he lived in several European countries before returning to Rome, where he died.

TRAVEL His life was a series of travels, from his birthplace in Rome to France, where he planned an invasion to restore the Stuart monarchy. He also traveled to Scotland to lead the Jacobite uprising of 1745 and made a secret visit to London later in life.

DEATH  On the evening of January 31, 1788, at around 9:30 PM, Bonnie Prince Charlie died from a stroke in his palazzo in Rome aged 67. This was the same city where he had been born 67 years earlier.

He was first buried in the Cathedral of Frascati, where his brother Henry Stuart was bishop. At Henry's death in 1807, Charles's remains were moved to the crypt of Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City where they were laid to rest next to those of his brother and father.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA The Prince's life and the Jacobite cause have been romanticized in various forms of media, including literature, film, and television. His portrayal often reflects a heroic failure and a romantic figure. Here are a few notable ones:

Films Rob Roy (1995): This historical drama film features Bonnie Prince Charlie as a supporting character, played by Rupert Everett. The film follows the story of Rob Roy MacGregor, a Scottish outlaw who becomes entangled in the Jacobite uprising.

Culloden (1964): This British war film depicts the events leading up to the Battle of Culloden, the final confrontation of the Jacobite uprising. The film stars Michael Caine as Captain Nathaniel Yorke, a fictional British officer caught in the conflict.

"The Skye Boat Song" is a popular folk song about Bonnie Prince Charlie's escape to Skye after the Battle of Culloden.

"Bonnie Prince Charlie" is a traditional Scottish folk song that celebrates the charm and charisma of the Jacobite leader.

"Farewell to Glengarry" is another folk song lamenting the defeat of the Jacobites at Culloden.

ACHIEVEMENTS Despite the ultimate failure of the Jacobite uprisings, Bonnie Prince Charlie is remembered for his charismatic leadership and the initial military successes, making it as far south as Derby in England. His legacy continues to influence cultural depictions and the historical narrative of the period.

Norman Borlaug

NAME Norman Borlaug

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Revolutionizing agriculture through the development of high-yielding varieties of wheat, which played a key role in the Green Revolution and saved millions of lives from starvation.

BIRTH March 25, 1914, in Saude, near Cresco, Iowa, USA, in his grandparents' farmhouse.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Norman Borlaug was born to farmer Henry Oliver (1889–1971) and homemaker Clara (Vaala) Borlaug (1888–1972) and was the first of four children. His three sisters were Palma Lillian, Charlotte, and Helen. He was raised on a non-mechanized, subsistence farm without cars, trucks, or electricity

Borlaug was the great-grandchild of Norwegian immigrants to the United States. His great-grandparents, Ole Olson Dybevig and Solveig Thomasdatter Rinde, emigrated from Feios, a small village in Vik kommune, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway, to Dane County, Wisconsin, in 1854. The family eventually settled in the small Norwegian-American community of Saude, near Cresco, Iowa. Borlaug was a descendant of the Borlaug, Vaala, Swenumson, and Landsverk families who immigrated from Norway in the mid-1800. (1)

CHILDHOOD Norman was a high-energy boy with a twinkle in his eye, endowed with great curiosity and a sense of independence. Naturally introverted, he enjoyed spending time by himself exploring woodlots and streams. He was his grandfather Nels' "shadow," following him around and helping with chores like feeding chickens, collecting eggs, and pulling weeds in the garden.

At age five, Norman began attending the one-room New Oregon Rural School Number 8, walking a mile and a half from his grandparents' home. During his first winter, he nearly perished in a snowstorm when he couldn't keep up with the other children walking home and fell down exhausted. His older cousin Sina Borlaug pulled him from a snow bank and helped him home. He also witnessed the deadly influenza pandemic that reached rural Iowa, with some family friends dying and others being quarantined in their homes. (1)

EDUCATION Borlaug's educational journey began with humble roots but culminated in the highest academic achievements. When he applied for admission to the University of Minnesota in 1933, he failed the entrance exam but was accepted at the school's newly created two-year General College. After two quarters, he transferred to the College of Agriculture's forestry program.

His grandfather Nels Olson Borlaug (1859–1935) strongly encouraged his education, once telling him, "you're wiser to fill your head now if you want to fill your belly later on". This advice would prove prophetic for a man who would later help fill the bellies of billions.

Borlaug received his B.S. in forestry from the University of Minnesota in 1937 and later earned a PhD in plant pathology and genetics from the same university in 1942. (2)

CAREER RECORD Research scientist at the Rockefeller Foundation and the Ford Foundation

Director General of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)

Special Envoy of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for agriculture

APPEARANCE Borlaug was a tall and lanky man with a friendly and approachable demeanor. He often wore a straw hat and a white shirt, reflecting his agricultural background.

Norman Borlaug, in 2004.

FASHION His fashion sense was simple and practical, prioritizing comfort and functionality over trends. He was known for his signature straw hat and white shirt, which became a symbol of his agricultural work.

CHARACTER Norman Borlaug was described as dutiful, organized, polite, and respectful of others – traits he learned in childhood and maintained throughout his life. His work ethic became legendary as he spent endless hours in the fields, investigating and hand-breeding tens of thousands of wheat varieties.

Borlaug showed determination and a force of personality that initiated innovative changes to agriculture. When he received news that he had won the Nobel Peace Prize, his initial reaction was skepticism. According to his daughter, Jeanie Laube, when his wife told him, "You won the Nobel Peace Prize," he replied, "No, I haven't," and "It took some convincing... He thought the whole thing was a hoax" (1) (3)

SPEAKING VOICE  His voice was warm and resonant, reflecting his Midwestern roots. He was a skilled communicator, able to convey complex scientific concepts in a clear and engaging manner.

SENSE OF HUMOUR   He had a wry, earthy sense of humor, particularly noted in field interactions, balancing benevolence with assertiveness 

RELATIONSHIPS Norman Borlaug met his wife, Margaret, at the University of Minnesota as he waited tables at a coffee shop in the university's Dinkytown, where the two worked. They were married in 1937 in St Paul's Minnesota in 1941. 

They had three children: Norma Jean "Jeanie" Laube, William Gibson Borlaug, and a son, Scotty, who died from spina bifida shortly after birth. He had five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren

They were married for 60 years, though according to a comment from Margaret, he had "been home for only four" of those years due to his extensive fieldwork breeding wheat in Mexico. Despite his frequent absences, they maintained a strong family. Margaret supported Norman's passion for helping solve the world's food problems while carrying on much of the necessary work of raising a healthy family.

MONEY AND FAME Despite fame from awards like the Nobel Peace Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and Congressional Gold Medal, Borlaug lived modestly, focusing on his mission rather than wealth. He was little known in affluent countries like the USA but beloved in developing nations, where he was a trusted advisor to farmers and governments 

FOOD AND DRINK During his time leading the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, Borlaug witnessed the transformative impact of regular meals on malnourished workers, which deeply influenced his commitment to combating hunger. 

Borlaug appreciated advancements in food technology, such as the Impossible Burger, which uses genetically engineered wheat—a crop he worked extensively with—to create sustainable alternatives to meat. 

He likely enjoyed simple, practical meals aligned with his agricultural focus.

MUSIC AND ARTS He has been celebrated in creative works such as "The Norman Borlaug Rap" and "Norman Borlaug Polka," which honor his contributions to global agriculture and food security through catchy lyrics and music. (4)

LITERATURE As a scientist, he was immersed in agricultural and scientific literature, particularly in plant pathology and genetics.

NATURE His work and childhood fascination with plants and seasons showed a deep connection to nature, evident in his love for the sound of wheat fields, described as "sweet, whispering music" 

AGRONOMIST CAREER Norman Borlaug's career in agriculture reads like a mix of frontier survival, scientific brilliance, and sheer stubbornness. From 1935 to 1938, before and after earning a Bachelor of Science in forestry, he worked for the United States Forest Service, bouncing between Massachusetts and the remote wilds of Idaho. One summer found him deep in the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, described at the time as "the most isolated piece of wilderness in the nation"—which is to say, if you wanted to find a place more inconveniently located, you'd have to invent teleportation first.

College, however, wasn't cheap, so Borlaug occasionally put his studies on hold to earn money. In 1935, he took a leadership role in the Civilian Conservation Corps, where he supervised unemployed men on federal projects. Many of them were desperately hungry, and he later recalled seeing food transform them: "All of this left scars on me," he said, which—given what was to come—was an understatement of historic proportions.

By 1942, Borlaug had briefly dabbled in the corporate world at DuPont, but in 1944, he found his true calling when he joined the Rockefeller Foundation’s agricultural program in Mexico. It was here that he embarked on an agricultural adventure that would change the course of global food production. His mission? To develop a wheat variety that was high-yielding, disease-resistant, and—critically—short.

This last part was important. Traditional wheat plants had the unfortunate habit of growing tall and then toppling over when farmers applied fertilizers to boost grain production. Using the Norin 10 dwarfing gene from Japan (a botanical gift post-World War II), Borlaug set out to breed a wheat variety that could hold up under the weight of its own success—literally.

His other major battle was against wheat rust, a pesky fungal disease that had been tormenting farmers for millennia. Borlaug’s response was nothing short of ingenious: he bred "composite varieties" that looked identical but had different genetic makeups, making it much harder for rust pathogens to adapt and attack. He also used a technique called 'gene pyramiding' to stack multiple resistance genes in a single plant, and 'gene deployment' to keep pathogens guessing. Essentially, he played an elaborate game of genetic chess against fungi—and won.

By 1963, Mexico had gone from a wheat importer to a net exporter, thanks almost entirely to Borlaug’s efforts. When famine loomed in South Asia in the 1960s, he turned his attention there, introducing his high-yield wheat to Pakistan and India. Between 1965 and 1970, wheat production in both countries nearly doubled, pulling millions back from the brink of starvation.

Later in life, Borlaug set his sights on Africa, partnering with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and the Sasakawa Africa Association to bring his agricultural methods to the continent. Though the challenges were different, Borlaug’s approach remained the same: figure out what’s killing the crops, outsmart it, and, above all, feed as many people as possible.

All in all, not bad for a guy who started out planting trees in the Idaho wilderness.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS hile at the University of Minnesota, Borlaug was a member of the football, baseball, and wrestling teams. As a wrestler, he reached the Big Ten semifinals and promoted the sport to Minnesota high schools in exhibition matches around the state. His wrestling coach, Dave Barthelma, continually encouraged him to "give 105%".

Borlaug later reflected on the impact of wrestling in his life: "Wrestling taught me some valuable lessons... I always figured I could hold my own against the best in the world. It made me tough. Many times, I drew on that strength. It's an inappropriate crutch perhaps, but that's the way I'm made".

His contributions to wrestling were recognized when he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Outside of wrestling, Borlaug also helped introduce Little League baseball in Mexico.

Borlaug wrestling at the University of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Department of Plant Pathology 

SCIENCE AND MATHS His expertise lay in plant pathology and genetics, applying scientific methods to enhance crop yields, a cornerstone of his career. Borlaug was a skilled experimenter and a keen observer of plant behavior.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Borlaug believed deeply in the vital role of agriculture and food production in creating a world that was hungry for both bread and peace. This was reflected in his Nobel Lecture, where he speculated that the Nobel Committee was "selecting an individual to symbolize the vital role of agriculture and food production in a world that is hungry, both for bread and for peace".

While Borlaug recognized the tremendous potential of agricultural innovation, he also understood its limitations in the face of population growth. In his Nobel Lecture, he stated: "The green revolution has won a temporary success in man's war against hunger and deprivation; it has given man a breathing space. But the frightening power of human reproduction must also be curbed; otherwise, the success of the green revolution will be ephemeral only".

He believed humans were "potentially rational" and would eventually recognize the "self-destructive course" of irresponsible population growth. His approach to agriculture was also shaped by his early training in forest ecology, fostering productivity-based agriculture to avoid converting forest land to farming. (5)

Norman Borlaug was a devout Christian. He was raised in a Lutheran family and was baptized and confirmed at Saude Lutheran Church in Iowa. His Christian faith significantly influenced his worldview and humanitarian efforts, particularly his dedication to alleviating hunger and poverty. 

Borlaug explicitly credited God for inspiring his innovative thinking and described creative work as "the best medicine that God has given to men and women to work for the benefit of the family, community, nation, and lastly the world at large". His faith shaped his philosophy of science and his commitment to improving human well-being through agricultural advancements. (6)

POLITICS While not politically active, Borlaug worked with governments to implement agricultural policies, advocating for fertilizers and modern techniques against environmental critiques, cautioning, "There are no miracles in agricultural production"

SCANDAL There were no major scandals associated with Borlaug's life or career.

MILITARY RECORD During World War II, Borlaug worked for DuPont on scientific projects, deemed too valuable to enlist, developing adhesives and materials.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Living to 95, Borlaug maintained good health, likely due to his active fieldwork, with no major health issues documented until his lymphoma diagnosis.

HOMES Born in Iowa, he spent significant years in Mexico for his wheat program, and later resided in Texas as a professor at Texas A&M University.

TRAVEL His work as an agricultural scientist took him to many countries like Mexico, Pakistan, India,  to assess agricultural needs and provide technical assistance.

DEATH Norman Borlaug died on September 12, 2009, in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 95 due to complications from lymphoma. His last spoken words on the night of his death were reportedly: "Take the tracer to the farmer," after a scientist had shown him a nitrogen tracer developed for measuring soil fertility. These final words reflected his lifelong dedication to bringing scientific innovation directly to farmers without delay.

A portion of Borlaug's ashes was interred in a monument built in the Yaqui Valley of Sonora, Mexico—a place he deeply loved and where he carried out much of his groundbreaking agricultural research. The monument includes a bronze statue of Borlaug among wheat plants and an urn vault containing his ashes. Surrounding the site are flags from 24 nations that benefited from his work. The dedication ceremony for this international monument took place on March 25, 2010, which would have been Borlaug's 96th birthday.

In accordance with his wishes, other portions of his ashes were also interred in Minnesota, where he earned his academic degrees, and Iowa, where he was born and where the World Food Prize Foundation is located. These final resting places honor Borlaug's profound connection to the regions that shaped his life and career.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Borlaug's life and work have been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and articles. 

Dr. Leon Hesser's 2006 book The Man Who Fed the World: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Norman Borlaug and His Battle to End World Hunger received the 2006 Print of Peace award, as part of International Read For Peace Week. 

In 2014, a statue of him was placed in the National Statuary Hall of the United States Congress, where he is the sole scientist represented. 

Borlaug was the subject of the documentary film The Man Who Tried to Feed the World which first aired on American Experience in 2020.

His life and work have also inspired creative tributes like "The Norman Borlaug Rap (Thank You, Norman)," which celebrates his contributions to fighting world hunger

ACHIEVEMENTS Nobel Peace Prize (1970)

Presidential Medal of Freedom (1991)

Congressional Gold Medal (2006)

Considered one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century, saving an estimated one billion lives through his work on the Green Revolution.

Sources (1) University of Minnesota (2) Encyclopedia of Britannica (3) Science Heroes (4) Agbio World (5) World Food Program USA (6) Jesus Skeptic

Saint Boniface

NAME Saint Boniface His original name was Winfrid or Wynfrith, meaning "friend of peace". He was given the name of Boniface by the Pope when he was sent to evangelize the Germans.

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Saint Boniface is famous for his missionary work in Germany, where he played a key role in the Christianization of the region. He is known as the "Apostle of the Germans" and for his reform of the Frankish church.

BIRTH Saint Boniface was born around 675 AD in Crediton, Devon, in the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Wessex (modern-day England).

FAMILY BACKGROUND Boniface was born into a noble and devout Christian family. His father was a Saxon war leader,  and his mother was a British chieftain’s daughter. 

CHILDHOOD Boniface grew up in a pious environment that nurtured his early interest in the church. He showed a strong inclination towards religious life and education, which led him to pursue monastic life, somewhat against his father's wishes.

EDUCATION Boniface received his education at the monasteries of Exeter and Nursling (also known as Nutshalling), where he excelled in his studies, particularly in Latin and the scriptures. He became a monk and later a teacher at the Nursling monastery.

CAREER RECORD Boniface was ordained at an early age and initially worked in England. Here's his resume:

Joined the Benedictine order and became a monk

Traveled to Frisia (modern-day Netherlands) as a missionary in 716 AD, but faced challenges

Returned to England and became an abbot

Received papal approval for missionary work in Germania in 718 AD

Preached and converted many pagans in Hessen, Thuringia, Bavaria, and Franconia

Founded the monastery at Fulda, which became a major center of learning

Appointed Archbishop of Mainz by Pope Gregory III in 745 AD

Continued missionary work and oversaw Church organization in Germania

APPEARANCE Boniface is often depicted in religious art as a robust, mature man with a beard, dressed in the bishop's garb, and often holding a book or an axe, symbolizing his missionary work and the felling of the Donar Oak, a sacred tree to the pagans.

Saint Boniface felling Donar's Oak Bernhard Rode - Self-photographed

FASHION As a bishop and missionary, Boniface wore traditional ecclesiastical attire, including the cassock, mitre, and crosier, reflecting his high rank within the church.

CHARACTER Boniface was known for his strong character, unwavering faith, and organizational skills. He was a zealous missionary, dedicated to his work, and courageous in the face of opposition and danger.

SENSE OF HUMOUR There is little documentation on Boniface's sense of humor, but his writings and letters suggest a person deeply committed to his mission, leaving little room for levity in his recorded legacy.

RELATIONSHIPS Boniface had close relationships with other church leaders, including Popes Gregory II and Gregory III, who supported his missionary activities. He also maintained correspondence with various monasteries and church figures across Europe.

MONEY AND FAME Boniface was not wealthy; he lived a life of monastic simplicity and used any resources at his disposal for his missionary work and church reforms. His fame grew posthumously as his legacy as the "Apostle of the Germans" took hold.

FOOD AND DRINK As a monk and missionary, Boniface would have adhered to a diet typical of monastic communities, which was simple and frugal, consisting mainly of bread, vegetables, and water or ale.

Boniface convinced the Pope to ban horsemeat for Christians as he regarded it as a pagan residue that was tinged with barbarism.

MUSIC AND ARTS Boniface appreciated sacred music, which played a role in his liturgical reforms. He promoted the use of Gregorian chant and other forms of liturgical music in the churches he established.

LITERATURE Boniface was a learned man, well-versed in the scriptures and ecclesiastical writings. He contributed to Christian literature through his letters, sermons, and the establishment of scriptoria in monasteries where manuscripts were copied and preserved.

Boniface wrote a textbook on Latin grammar – the Ars Grammatica – that became a student staple for centuries. Who knew Saint Boniface was such a stickler for proper verb conjugations?

His other works include a treatise on verse, the Caesurae uersuum, and a collection of twenty acrostic riddles, the Enigmata, containing many references to works of Virgil

NATURE Boniface had a profound respect for nature, which is reflected in his missionary work, particularly his famous act of cutting down the Donar Oak, a sacred tree worshipped by pagans. Boniface decided to prove the superiority of the Christian God with a little public demonstration. He grabbed his trusty axe and, with a dramatic flourish, whacked away at the oak and a great wind, as if by miracle, blew the ancient oak over. When the god did not strike him down, the Germans, suitably impressed by this display of divine tree-felling, promptly converted to Christianity. 

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Boniface’s life was primarily focused on his missionary work and religious duties, leaving little time for hobbies or sports. His leisure activities likely included reading and contemplative prayer.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Boniface’s theology was rooted in orthodox Christian doctrine. He was a proponent of the papal authority and worked to align the practices of the Frankish church with those of Rome. His philosophical outlook emphasized the importance of education, discipline, and adherence to Christian morals and practices.

Boniface set off for the continent in 716 his sights set on converting the pagans of Frisia. He teamed up with another missionary named Willibrord, who'd already been chipping away at the pagan population for a while. Boniface learned the ropes from Willibrord, but his ambitions were bigger than Frisia. Germany, with its deep pagan roots, was calling.

Knowing he needed some papal muscle behind him, Boniface hotfooted it to Rome in 719. Pope Gregory II gave him the thumbs up and a fancy papal commission, basically saying, "Go forth and Christianize!" So, Boniface spent the next few decades crisscrossing Germany, preaching the gospel and setting up churches and monasteries He never looked back at England, though he kept in touch with his countrymen.

In 732, Saint Boniface made another trip to Rome where he reported on his missionary work. This time, Pope Gregory III upped the ante, making Boniface an archbishop with a big ol' chunk of Germany under his jurisdiction. 

SOCIAL REFORM Boniface was a champion for women in the Church, one of the first to actively recruit them for missionary work. He bought over nuns from Britain to teach the Germans education and domestic science.

SCANDAL There are no significant scandals associated with Boniface. His life was marked by dedication and piety, although he faced opposition and hostility from pagan tribes and local leaders resistant to his missionary efforts.

MILITARY RECORD His mission was religious, and although he sometimes worked with Frankish rulers who provided protection, he himself did not engage in military activities.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS His extensive travels and active missionary work suggest he maintained good physical fitness for most of his life.

HOMES Boniface lived in various monasteries throughout his life. He founded and resided in several monastic communities in Germany, including the monastery at Fulda, which became an important religious and educational center.

TRAVEL Boniface traveled extensively across Europe, particularly within the Germanic regions, to evangelize, establish churches, and reform ecclesiastical practices. His travels were arduous and often dangerous.

DEATH Saint Boniface was martyred on June 5, 754, near Dokkum in Frisia. He was killed by a band of pagan raiders while preparing to confirm a group of converts. 

Boniface was buried in the monastery at Fulda, which he had founded. But his tomb got so swamped with pilgrims wanting to see his final resting place that they had to build a whole new basilica, Ratgar Basilica to accommodate them. These days, you can find his tomb in the Fulda Cathedral crypt. (The cathedral was built in the early 18th century on the foundation of Ratgar Basilica).

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Saint Boniface has been featured in numerous hagiographies, historical texts, and religious studies. His life and work are often depicted in Christian educational media and he is venerated as a saint in both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions.

ACHIEVEMENTS Considered the "Apostle to the Germans" for his lasting impact on Christianization

Established a strong foundation for the Catholic Church in Germany

Promoted education and cultural exchange between England and Germania

Advocated for Church reforms and helped to unify Christian practices

Saint Boniface's feast day is celebrated on June 5 in the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, the Anglican Communion and the Eastern Orthodox Church.