Frank Lloyd Wright’s Japanese influences and education
Guest post by Kevin Nute, University of Oregon To mark Frank Lloyd Wright’s 150th birthday on June 8, many will pay tribute to the architect’s unique gifts and contributions to …..
The Who2 Blog
Roger Moore: The Last Gentleman Hero
A remembrance of the career of Roger Moore.
Born 100 Years Ago: JFK, Ella and So Many More
What a year for being born was 1917! Actor Dean Martin, Secretary of State Cyrus Vance and jazz star Thelonius Monk all hit their 100th birthdays this year… and they can’t even crack the top …..
Emmanuel Macron Biography: New!
Our new biography of French politician Emmanuel Macron is now live. He and Marine Le Pen face each other in a runoff on May 7; the winner will replace Francois …..
Princess Charlotte Photos, Old and New
A new photo of two-year-old Princess Charlotte has just been released by Kensington Palace, official home to her parents Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge. The caption on the …..
Ella Fitzgerald’s flirtation with reefer songs
It’s Ella Fitzgerald’s 100th birthday this week. Just as Fitzgerald’s career was taking off, jazz was under attack for its purported connection to drug culture. If she wanted to become a mainstream superstar, she needed to make a choice.
Queen Elizabeth II Hits 65 Years and 75 Days in Office
Queen Elizabeth II turns 91 today, April 21st. That means she’s been ruling the United Kingdom for 65 years and 75 days. With many more days to come, it seems, …..
Chuck Berry and Johnnie Johnson: Who Really Wrote ‘Roll Over Beethoven’?
By Tim McFarlin, Elon University In the days following Chuck Berry’s death, commentators have trampled over each other in a race to honor him as the “Father of Rock and Roll,” …..
Aaron Hernandez Hangs Himself in Prison
Aaron Hernandez — convicted murderer, acquitted double-murder suspect, and former million-dollar NFL star — is dead. Hernandez hanged himself in his prison cell at the Souza-Baranowski Correction Center, a maximum-security prison about …..
Chuck Barris Dead at 87; Created ‘Dating Game’ and ‘Gong Show’
Producer, creator and professional imp Chuck Barris has died of natural causes at his home in Palisades, New York. The Hollywood Reporter has a full obituary. Barris created and hosted The …..
Read Jimmy Breslin’s Famous Column on JFK’s Funeral
Newspaper columnist Jimmy Breslin died on Sunday at age 88. He was “the biggest, the baddest, the brashest, the best columnist in New York City.” If you never heard of …..
Chuck Berry Was Still Alive, Yes, But Now He’s Dead
Chuck Berry, the groundbreaking guitarist who’s on nearly everyone’s Mount Rushmore of rock ‘n roll, died today. If your first thought is, “Chuck Berry was still alive?”, you’re not alone. That was our …..
Bill Paxton Biography: From JFK to ‘Big Love’
Actor Bill Paxton has died, quite suddenly, at age 61. His family said in a statement that “It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed …..
Abraham Lincoln’s Bromance with Joshua Speed
Joshua Speed and Abraham Lincoln had a very close friendship, sharing their anxieties. Speed was able to calm Lincoln’s depression.
Black History Month: Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, America’s first black singing superstar
In the 19th century, critics and audiences thought blacks were incapable of singing as well as their white, European counterparts. Greenfield forced them to reconcile their ears with their racism.
Black History Month: Allison Davis, pioneering scholar of racism
His landmark contributions to anthropology have faded from memory, despite real-world policy impact during the mid-20th century. He was the first African-American full-time professor at a predominantly-white university, and his research was cited in Brown v. Board of Education.
Punxsutawney Phil Says ‘Six More Weeks of Winter’; Promptly Called Out by Washington Post
Famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil has predicted six more weeks of winter. The Washington Post says “Nyuh-uh.” Who’s right?
Donald Trump’s Children: An Easy Guide
President Donald Trump has five children by his three wives, and with his inauguration as president on January 20th, we’ve been seeing more questions about the Trump kids. Here’s a guide …..
Joe Biden Given Presidential Medal of Freedom in Surprise Ceremony
Vice President Joe Biden was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom today by President Barack Obama in a surprise White House ceremony. Always emotional, Joe Biden cried openly during much of …..
Carrie Fisher Outlived General Patton, Fell Short of Leon Trotsky
Carrie Fisher died much too young, sadly: at 60 years and 67 days. However, age is relative. Some famous historical people we think of as “older folks” died right before …..