People

Maurice Sendak, author of “Where the Wild Things Are,” is considered a visionary and even an activist for children. He sees himself quite differently, however.

Derided by some, held up as a technological savior by others, Steve Jobs helped launch a wave of personal computer use that has redefined the world’s economy and the way people interact, and he started it all from the comfort of his parents’ garage.

Barack Obama made history when he was elected the 44th president of the United States, becoming the first black man to hold the nation’s highest office.

Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer and one-term Georgia governor who unexpectedly ascended to the presidency in 1980. Taking office during a turbulent time in the nation’s history, Carter served just one ineffective term, but in his post-presidency life he has become a respected humanitarian and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Theodore Roosevelt was a larger-than-life figure with varied interests, working as a politician, soldier, hunter and naturalist. He greatly expanded the powers of the presidency, employing a strong hand in foreign affairs, taking on big business and introducing a wide range of conservationist policies.

When Robert E. Lee accepted command of the Confederate Army, he “believed he was defending Virginia, not slavery.” He has been considered one of the greatest heroes of the South and an icon of American military leadership.

Rebel, patriot and politician Samuel Adams helped organize protests against the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Tea Act of 1773 and developed a base of resistance that would eventually lead to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

In 2004, Wangari Muta Maathai became the first African Woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Maathai is known as the founder of the “Green Belt Movement” to reforest Africa.

Little is known about Sun Tzu, a Chinese military strategist, general and philosopher, believed to have lived in the sixth or fifth century B.C. But much has been written about the book attributed to him, “The Art of War,” the earliest and perhaps the most influential book ever written on the topic.

His administrative skill—and his intelligent and tolerant leadership—earned Darius I the title of Darius the Great. He built the magnificent city of Persepolis and left behind inscriptions telling the story of his successes.

Anne Bonny was an Irish-American female pirate of the 18th century. A crewmember of the ship captained by “Calico Jack” Rackham, Bonny was known as a fierce and relentless fighter.

During his short career, Harry Houdini’s “death-defying” feats astonished his audiences. People from all walks of life came to watch Houdini escape from shackles, milk cans and water tanks. Their fascination with his act continued his legacy long after his untimely death.

In 1954, British medical student Roger Bannister became the first man to break the four-minute mile barrier, earning him international admiration and Sports Illustrated's first Sportsman of the Year award. When asked how he achieved his record-breaking feat, he replied, “It’s the ability to take more out of yourself than you've got.”

Irish revolutionary soldier and politician Michael Collins led the fight for Irish independence in the years after the Easter Rising. A national hero during the Anglo-Irish war, Collins soon found himself at the center of a bitter conflict that divided the country and would ultimately lead to his death at the age of 31. Today, the “Big Fella” is remembered as one of Ireland’s greatest heroes.

James Joyce wove tales from the memories of his youth. Though Joyce left Dublin forever when he was just 20 years old, the epic texts he produced throughout his life were drawn from childhood memories of the city. Joyce once remarked that the most difficult challenge he faced as a boy was the divide between the world of literature and daily life. As any Joyce reader can attest, his work effaces the boundary between imagination and reality.

Seamus Heaney is a cultural critic, translator and teacher proclaimed the “most important Irish poet since Yeats” by poet Robert Lowell.

Violinist Pablo Sarasate is a figure of tremendous national and international regard. The distinctly Spanish flavor of his compositions, combined with his masterful technique and elaborate musical arrangements, have earned him a well-deserved place in the classical music hall of fame.

It's been more than 50 years since the blond-haired, blue-eyed, impossibly proportioned Barbie doll hit the market. She's held many jobs, lived in many homes, driven several cars and weathered her share of criticism, but she remains an extremely popular toy.

Joseph Lee dedicated his life to promoting recreation and play for children and adults alike, and is best known for transforming a fledgling playground association into a national recreation movement. He was the president of the National Recreation Association for almost 30 years, and many of the ideas he formed while at the post shaped the recreation field as it stands today.

FindingDulcinea journeys through history, looking at the role of women and how they were portrayed in various cultures, including ancient Egypt, Greece, China, Western Europe and the New World.

Luther Burbank moved across the country to follow his horticultural dreams. Born on the East Coast, he relocated to California where he could pursue his life’s work of developing new breeds of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Today, Burbank’s contributions to horticulture and influence on bioengineering are still felt.

Gabriel García Márquez grew up in a home filled with storytelling and the supernatural. His seminal work of fiction, “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” transformed his birthplace of Aracataca, Colombia, into the magical town of Macondo. García Márquez ultimately won the Nobel Prize in Literature for his body of work.

Miriam Makeba, widely known as “Mama Africa,” was exiled from her home of South Africa for her revolutionary words and songs, but was widely respected for speaking—and singing—the truth about racism in the country.  Among other accomplishments, including acting as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations, she continued performing into her 70s and exposed many Westerners to African music.

Inventor and industrialist George Pullman literally raised Chicago from the sewer and built luxury railroad cars for the elite. The media praised his “utopian” company town, but in reality, the town’s residents lived in misery. His unwillingness to negotiate with strikers drew the ire of workers and railroad owners alike, and he died as one of the most hated anti-union figures in America.

Theodor Geisel, more popularly known as Dr. Seuss, created quirky characters, lively rhymes and idiosyncratic illustrations. These qualities have ensured that his children’s books have remained enduringly beloved while they promote strong moral values. Seuss’ 44 books have been translated into more than 20 languages.

Tennis legend Althea Gibson won 56 championships and five Grand Slam singles titles. Dubbed “the Jackie Robinson of Tennis,” Gibson made it possible for other black players such as Arthur Ashe and the Williams sisters to compete.

One of Scotland’s most beloved national heroes, William Wallace led the Scottish resistance at the beginning of the long fight to free Scotland from England’s rule. The film “Braveheart” propelled the legend of Wallace to new heights.

Toni Morrison grew up in a house of African-American storytellers and developed a love for books. After earning a masters degree in English and teaching for many years, she felt there was a book she wanted to read but had yet to find—so she wrote it herself. A prolific career ensued, with Morrison winning both the Pulitzer and Nobel Prizes for her fiction.

Michael Jordan was perhaps the most dominant player in NBA history, leading the Chicago Bulls to three straight NBA titles two different times. Electrifying on the court and polished off it, Jordan’s image was marketed to a global audience and he retired as one of the most recognized figures in the world.

Six-time Olympic medal winner Jackie Joyner-Kersee is considered one of the greatest female athletes of the 20th century. Admired for her strength and speed as well as her character Jackie continues to inspire young athletes everywhere through her work as a mentor and motivational speaker.