Anténor Firmin: Haitian anthropologist
Joseph Auguste Anténor Firmin (1850-1911), better known as Anténor Firmin, was a remarkable Haitian intellectual whose contributions to anthropology, journalism, and politics remain influential today. …
People in history
Mata Hari: The life and times of a legendary spy
Mata Hari, born Margaretha Geertruida Zelle, is one of history’s most enigmatic and controversial figures. Known primarily for her role as an exotic dancer and a World War I spy, her life was a …
The Moors: A confluence of Arab and Berber heritage
The term “Moor” evokes images of Islamic rule in medieval Spain and North Africa, yet it is a designation that encompasses a rich tapestry of cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity. The …
Trial of Lizzie Borden
Lizzie Borden’s name is synonymous with one of the most sensational and mysterious murder cases in American history. On 4 August 1892, the brutal murders of Andrew and Abby Borden in Fall River, …
Tippu Tip: The controversial life of a 19th-century slave trader
Tippu Tip, born Hamad bin Muhammad bin Juma bin Rajab el Murjebi around 1832, remains a contentious figure in African and world history. He was a notorious Zanzibari slave trader, plantation owner, …
Sandra Bland: A life and legacy in the fight for racial justice
On 13 July 2015, Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old African American woman, was found dead in her jail cell in Waller County, Texas. Her death, ruled a suicide by local authorities, came just three days …
Franz Ferdinand: The assassination that shook Europe
Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria-Este, was born on 18 December 1863 in Graz, Austria. As a member of the House of Habsburg, Franz Ferdinand held a significant position within the Austro-Hungarian …
George Armstrong Custer and his complex legacy
George Armstrong Custer is one of American history’s most controversial and enigmatic figures. His life, filled with dramatic highs and lows, left an indelible mark on the nation’s memory. …
The unstoppable Wilma Rudolph: A legacy of speed and resilience
Wilma Glodean Rudolph, an American sprinter born on 23 June 1940 in Saint Bethlehem, Tennessee, remains one of the most inspiring figures in athletics history. Her story is not just one of athletic …
Profile on Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell stands as one of the most complex and polarising figures in British history. As a military leader and later as Lord Protector, Cromwell’s influence during and after the English …
The legendary Jesse Owens: Triumphing against all odds
In the records of sports history, few names shine as brightly as that of Jesse Owens. His story is not just one of athletic prowess but of profound human spirit triumphing against the odds. At the …
Lynn Ann Conway: A pioneering spirit in science and transgender advocacy
Lynn Ann Conway’s life story is a remarkable testament to the power of resilience, brilliance, and transformation. Born in 1938, Conway’s journey from a curious and bright young girl …