Historical Biographies
- Eleanor Roosevelt: A Fine Example
- Jacqueline Kennedy: Elegant Lady
- Who Was The Man Named Squanto?
- John F. Kennedy: A Death Too Soon
- Author Anne Rice
- Steven King: Horror Tale Master
- Madame Tussaud: A Wax Legacy
- Bela Lugosi: A Tormented Life
- Lillian Russell: Diamond Jim’s Gal
- John Denver: Singing Legacy
Eleanor Roosevelt: A Fine Example
Posted by
Marjorie Dorfman
The story of Eleonor Roosevelt, the world she lived in and how she tried to change it.
Eleanor Roosevelt learned at a very early age that beauty spoke in a voice as powerful as money. She learned that fact quite harshly because she was reminded by an aloof and insensitive grandparent that she did not possess it, and as such better be smart and brave and everything else to make up for it. She once said; "Do something every day that makes you afraid." Good advice and she followed her own words with sincerity and devotion for all of her public life.
Eleanor Roosevelt was a civil rights activist long before it was fashionable or even reasonable. The issues confronting the nation's underprivileged population had been pushed under the national rug; a shame and embarrassment that most political figures did not wish to address. Not Eleanor Roosevelt. She spoke for the poor and worked for them and she was very well loved and respected.
Read all about this extraordinary woman who is often seen in the shadow of her very famous husband. In her own right, she accomplished just as much in her lifetime. Learn all about this amazing woman who cared enough about the world to try and make it a better place for all mankind.
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Eleanor Roosevelt was a civil rights activist long before it was fashionable or even reasonable. The issues confronting the nation's underprivileged population had been pushed under the national rug; a shame and embarrassment that most political figures did not wish to address. Not Eleanor Roosevelt. She spoke for the poor and worked for them and she was very well loved and respected.
Read all about this extraordinary woman who is often seen in the shadow of her very famous husband. In her own right, she accomplished just as much in her lifetime. Learn all about this amazing woman who cared enough about the world to try and make it a better place for all mankind.
Click Here
Jacqueline Kennedy: Elegant Lady
Posted by
Marjorie Dorfman
How did Jacqueline Kennedy really feel about her very public life and her husband's many affairs? Why does her very name to this day personify elegant and grace?
Her very name personifies wealth privilege and a proximity to royalty that few Americans ever achieve in their lifetime. From the days of American Camelot when her husband, John Kennedy, was president of the United States to her later years as an editor for Doubleday and an activist, Jacqueline Kennedy never wavered in her projection of elegance, beauty and grace.
The story of her life is one of wealth and high society, but not one without its share of suffering and adversity. She found little solace in her husband's family in dealing with his many affairs, and she stood alone in her fight to protect her children from the relentless eyes and cameras of ubiquitous photographers.
Her essence is forever emblazoned on the cover and headline of Look Magazine the week her husband was murdered. The words, "Valiant is the Word for Jackie" live forever in the minds and hearts of those who lived through that terrible time in American history. She refused medication to dull her unbearable pain during those dark days because she felt it was more important for her to lead the nation in mourning its slain president and to be there for her children.
Read all about this fascinating woman whose life ended too soon in May of 1994.
a href="http://www.suite101.com/functions/article/edit.cfm/HistoricalBiographies
The story of her life is one of wealth and high society, but not one without its share of suffering and adversity. She found little solace in her husband's family in dealing with his many affairs, and she stood alone in her fight to protect her children from the relentless eyes and cameras of ubiquitous photographers.
Her essence is forever emblazoned on the cover and headline of Look Magazine the week her husband was murdered. The words, "Valiant is the Word for Jackie" live forever in the minds and hearts of those who lived through that terrible time in American history. She refused medication to dull her unbearable pain during those dark days because she felt it was more important for her to lead the nation in mourning its slain president and to be there for her children.
Read all about this fascinating woman whose life ended too soon in May of 1994.
a href="http://www.suite101.com/functions/article/edit.cfm/HistoricalBiographies
Who Was The Man Named Squanto?
Posted by
Marjorie Dorfman
Who was the man who helped the pilgrims survive their first winter in the New World? What were his motives?
How many out there in Suite 101 land remember the ending to that old Lone Ranger television show that went something like, "Who was that masked man? I wanted to thank him?" Surely the pilgrims who settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, that cold and barren winter of 1620-21 felt the same way about this member of the Patuxet tribe whose birth name was Tisquantum.
Down through the course of history and folklore, the exact motives for the actions of this proud native-American may well have been clouded and exaggerated. There is no question, however, that the Pilgrims would not have survived the first year in the new world without his help. He taught them to hunt and fish and stay warm, and even though some early pilgrims did die, many more would have done so if not for his help.
But Squanto was a flesh and blood human being prone to all human conditions, notably the one about power and how it can corrupt the spirit. He was slated for execution by his fellow native-Americans, but the pilgrims forestalled it because they needed him too much to give him up.
Squanto's name will forever be associated with the first Thanksgiving feast held in the New World. Read about the life of this most fascinating native-American.
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Squanto's Capture
Down through the course of history and folklore, the exact motives for the actions of this proud native-American may well have been clouded and exaggerated. There is no question, however, that the Pilgrims would not have survived the first year in the new world without his help. He taught them to hunt and fish and stay warm, and even though some early pilgrims did die, many more would have done so if not for his help.
But Squanto was a flesh and blood human being prone to all human conditions, notably the one about power and how it can corrupt the spirit. He was slated for execution by his fellow native-Americans, but the pilgrims forestalled it because they needed him too much to give him up.
Squanto's name will forever be associated with the first Thanksgiving feast held in the New World. Read about the life of this most fascinating native-American.
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Squanto's Capture
John F. Kennedy: A Death Too Soon
Posted by
Marjorie Dorfman
Who was the man behind the charismatic and eloquent image of John Fitgerald Kennedy? How will his presidency be remembered down through history?
I was very young when JFK died, but like everyone else who was alive at the time, I will never forget exactly what I was doing when I heard the terrible news that he had been shot in Dallas on November 22, 1963. I was listening to the radio. It was playing the number one hit of the time, "Since I Fell For You," by Lenny Welch. Suddenly, in my favorite part of the song, the music was interrupted, as was my whole life and those of everyone around me. Nothing was ever the same again.
Adoration is easier when one is young, for one-sided love is unconditional, and boundaries and expectations are rarely defined. At his Inaugural Address when Kennedy said: "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country," the words rang with a truth that pounded in my idealistic young ears.
His sexual escapades brought him down a peg in the eyes of many, mine included, even though many were not known about until after his death. His affair with Marilyn Monroe was over the top and compounded by his brother Bobby's affair with her as well. I am sure his wife found little solace in the Kennedy clan, whose matriarch, Rose, endured the same behavior from her husband, Joseph throughout their marriage.
But who was this handsome, charismatic and eloquent man who became the first catholic president of the United States? Read about his life and tragic death at the age of forty-six.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Adoration is easier when one is young, for one-sided love is unconditional, and boundaries and expectations are rarely defined. At his Inaugural Address when Kennedy said: "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country," the words rang with a truth that pounded in my idealistic young ears.
His sexual escapades brought him down a peg in the eyes of many, mine included, even though many were not known about until after his death. His affair with Marilyn Monroe was over the top and compounded by his brother Bobby's affair with her as well. I am sure his wife found little solace in the Kennedy clan, whose matriarch, Rose, endured the same behavior from her husband, Joseph throughout their marriage.
But who was this handsome, charismatic and eloquent man who became the first catholic president of the United States? Read about his life and tragic death at the age of forty-six.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Posted by
Marjorie Dorfman
Who is the woman behind the best-selling Vampire Chronicles and why doe she no longer wirte horror fiction?
Born in New Orleans, author Anne Rice now makes her home in California near her only remaining child, Christopher. Still, the haunted mists and enduring allure of New Orleans is the backdrop for most of her eerie tales of horror. Vampires are an Anne Rice specialty, and she has honed her craft to perfection, much to the appreciation and adoration of her multitude of fans.
Anne Rice is a woman who bears many personal burdens. She lost one child, a daughter, aged six, to leukemia. With her overwhelming success, came the unexpected and devastating loss of her husband, Stan Rice, and the onslaught of the silent killer, type one diabetes. Anne Rice's struggles with weight have resulted in gastric-bypass surgery.
For the many fans of author of Anne Rice, it is a sad time, for there will be no more vampire tales for them to enjoy. The queen of the horror novel has turned her writing attentions to material of a religious nature. A former atheist, Anne Rice's newly-found faith has prompted her to write only for the Lord.
Lovers of the horror genre will miss Anne Rice's unique style of telling a tale and her colorful and unforgettable characters.
Read the story of the life of Anne Rice, an extraordinary author.
Click Here
Anne Rice is a woman who bears many personal burdens. She lost one child, a daughter, aged six, to leukemia. With her overwhelming success, came the unexpected and devastating loss of her husband, Stan Rice, and the onslaught of the silent killer, type one diabetes. Anne Rice's struggles with weight have resulted in gastric-bypass surgery.
For the many fans of author of Anne Rice, it is a sad time, for there will be no more vampire tales for them to enjoy. The queen of the horror novel has turned her writing attentions to material of a religious nature. A former atheist, Anne Rice's newly-found faith has prompted her to write only for the Lord.
Lovers of the horror genre will miss Anne Rice's unique style of telling a tale and her colorful and unforgettable characters.
Read the story of the life of Anne Rice, an extraordinary author.
Click Here
Steven King: Horror Tale Master
Posted by
Marjorie Dorfman
Who is the man behind the dark tales he writes? What are his personal demons? Read on to learn more about this extroadinary writer of horror tales.
For the young man born in Portland Maine who had such a difficult start in life, Steven king has lived the American dream, albeit from a much scarier angle than most. His family was very poor and his father, a merchant seaman, abandoned the family when he was a child. As an adolescent, he revealed his talent for writing, and while attending secondary school, he edited the school newspaper and wrote stories.
Writing was an escape from the grim realities of everyday life and Steven did it well, publishing his first short story when he was still in his teens. He graduated from the University of Maine and married another writer, Tabitha Spruce.
King's particular brand of horror seems to generate from every day and mundane situations that somehow run amuck. Some of his earlier short story collections are not so well known but they clearly demonstrate this point.
Steven King's enormous success came with his first novel Carrie, which was brought to the screen in the 1970s. His writing has tapped into the public consciousness and his career has been marked by one hit after another with no end in sight.
King has had his share of troubles both with bouts of alcoholism and severe injuries resulting from being struck by a truck while walking along a highway some ten years ago.
Read about the life of this extraordinary man.
Click Here
Writing was an escape from the grim realities of everyday life and Steven did it well, publishing his first short story when he was still in his teens. He graduated from the University of Maine and married another writer, Tabitha Spruce.
King's particular brand of horror seems to generate from every day and mundane situations that somehow run amuck. Some of his earlier short story collections are not so well known but they clearly demonstrate this point.
Steven King's enormous success came with his first novel Carrie, which was brought to the screen in the 1970s. His writing has tapped into the public consciousness and his career has been marked by one hit after another with no end in sight.
King has had his share of troubles both with bouts of alcoholism and severe injuries resulting from being struck by a truck while walking along a highway some ten years ago.
Read about the life of this extraordinary man.
Click Here
Posted by
Marjorie Dorfman
A look into the life, times and personal challenges of a woman far ahead of the period in which she lived.
In many ways, the lady whose real name was Marie Grosholtz, was a woman far beyond the times in which she lived. Of poor origins, she learned the art of wax modeling from her mother's employer, Dr. Phillip Curtius, who recognized her keen intelligence and innate talent for working with the wax figures that he used to illustrate anatomy.
Dr. Curtius taught his eager pupil everything she needed to know to open her first exhibit, which she did in the late 1700s. His connections brought her to the royal court of Versailles, which was in the throes of its famous Reign of Terror. Here she perfected her craft by making death masks of the likes of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI to name a few. She was slated for death by execution and shared a cell with Josephine de Beauharnais, the future wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. The two managed to escape the guillotine together and remained friends for the rest of their lives.
Madame Tussaud (her married name) was a brilliant businesswoman in addition to being an immensely talented sculptress. Her exhibits have lasted for more than two hundred years and her name today draws crowds and is still synonymous with incredibly life-like wax reproductions of the rich and famous. No one has ever come close to her skill in working with wax figures, and it is unlikely that anyone ever will.
Read all about the life of this most fascinating woman.
Click Here
Dr. Curtius taught his eager pupil everything she needed to know to open her first exhibit, which she did in the late 1700s. His connections brought her to the royal court of Versailles, which was in the throes of its famous Reign of Terror. Here she perfected her craft by making death masks of the likes of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI to name a few. She was slated for death by execution and shared a cell with Josephine de Beauharnais, the future wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. The two managed to escape the guillotine together and remained friends for the rest of their lives.
Madame Tussaud (her married name) was a brilliant businesswoman in addition to being an immensely talented sculptress. Her exhibits have lasted for more than two hundred years and her name today draws crowds and is still synonymous with incredibly life-like wax reproductions of the rich and famous. No one has ever come close to her skill in working with wax figures, and it is unlikely that anyone ever will.
Read all about the life of this most fascinating woman.
Click Here
Posted by
Marjorie Dorfman
The life, times and personal challenges of one of the horror cinema's 's most favorite stars.
Bela Lugosi: Count Dracula Forever
Although the role of Count Dracula has been played by numerous actors over the years both on Broadway and on screen, the vampire star of all time is and can only be Hungarian-born Bela Lugosi who first brought the role to the celluloid screen. In an ironic twist of fate, if Lon Chaney hadn't died, Lugosi would never have landed the part, which soared him to fame and immortality.
When he first began his American acting career in 1920 after fleeing Hungary because of his left-wing activity, the former World War One infantry lieutenant who was wounded three times in battle could not speak English and had to learn his parts phonetically.
His was a star that rose quickly and dramatically fell due to a morphine addiction he tried his best to conceal. Lugosi lived for the role of Dracula and so identified with the part that his final request, to be buried in full Count Dracula garb was fulfilled by his family. Horror co-stars Vincent Price and Peter Lorre attended the great star's funeral back in August of 1956 after a heart attack claimed his life. It was reported that Peter Lorre upon viewing his friend's casket turned to Price and said: "Should we drive a stake through his heart, just in case?"
It is likely such a comment would have made the sad Hungarian smile.
Read about the life of this fascinating star of stage and screen.
a href="http://www.suite101.com/functions/article/edit.cfm/HistoricalBiographies".Click Here
Although the role of Count Dracula has been played by numerous actors over the years both on Broadway and on screen, the vampire star of all time is and can only be Hungarian-born Bela Lugosi who first brought the role to the celluloid screen. In an ironic twist of fate, if Lon Chaney hadn't died, Lugosi would never have landed the part, which soared him to fame and immortality.
When he first began his American acting career in 1920 after fleeing Hungary because of his left-wing activity, the former World War One infantry lieutenant who was wounded three times in battle could not speak English and had to learn his parts phonetically.
His was a star that rose quickly and dramatically fell due to a morphine addiction he tried his best to conceal. Lugosi lived for the role of Dracula and so identified with the part that his final request, to be buried in full Count Dracula garb was fulfilled by his family. Horror co-stars Vincent Price and Peter Lorre attended the great star's funeral back in August of 1956 after a heart attack claimed his life. It was reported that Peter Lorre upon viewing his friend's casket turned to Price and said: "Should we drive a stake through his heart, just in case?"
It is likely such a comment would have made the sad Hungarian smile.
Read about the life of this fascinating star of stage and screen.
a href="http://www.suite101.com/functions/article/edit.cfm/HistoricalBiographies".Click Here
Lillian Russell: Diamond Jim’s Gal
Posted by
Marjorie Dorfman
Who was the woman behind one of the most beautiful voices known to the early twentieth century? A look into her life and loves.
Helen Louise Leonard became Lillian Russell after she appeared in the Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera, H.M.S. Pinafore in 1879. Her beautiful soprano voice was perfect fare for their musical extravaganzas and she became immensely popular after appearing on Broadway at Tony Pastor’s Theater. Her flamboyant life style disguised the fact that she was at her very core a complex woman; a patriot, a suffragette and a caring citizen of the world.
Her musical and stage career spanned more than twenty years and her popularity never dimmed. Despite this, she is perhaps best known for her forty years relationship with wealthy businessman, Diamond Jim Brady. Her affair with the rotund millionaire lasted longer than her four marriages, and he showered her with extravagant gifts of jewelry and other fine luxuries. They were often seen together, dining or cycling in Central Park during the cycling craze of the 1880s. Brady was so impressed with this new form of exercise and saw his love losing so much weight that he ordered a dozen gold-plated bikes made with diamond-encrusted handlebars for Lillian and his other friends.
Read the life story of this amazing female entertainer whose talent, style and stage presence made her a legend in the Gotham of her day.
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Her musical and stage career spanned more than twenty years and her popularity never dimmed. Despite this, she is perhaps best known for her forty years relationship with wealthy businessman, Diamond Jim Brady. Her affair with the rotund millionaire lasted longer than her four marriages, and he showered her with extravagant gifts of jewelry and other fine luxuries. They were often seen together, dining or cycling in Central Park during the cycling craze of the 1880s. Brady was so impressed with this new form of exercise and saw his love losing so much weight that he ordered a dozen gold-plated bikes made with diamond-encrusted handlebars for Lillian and his other friends.
Read the life story of this amazing female entertainer whose talent, style and stage presence made her a legend in the Gotham of her day.
Click here
Posted by
Marjorie Dorfman
A look into the life and accomplishments of one of the world's favorite folk singers.
John Denver is one of the world’s best-known and best-loved performers. In his too short lifetime, this son of a US Air Force officer won international acclaim as a songwriter, performer, actor, environmentalist and humanitarian. His career spanned three decades, garnering many music awards and honors, including induction into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and the highly prestigious Albert Schweitzer Music Award, which he won in 1993.
His musical journey began at the age of eleven when he was given his grandmother’s acoustical guitar. He took lessons, joined a boy’s choir and at the age of twenty, pursued his dream of a career in music. He moved to Los Angeles in 1963 and changed his surname from Deutchendorf to Denver, the city he loved best. His first break came when he was chosen from among more than 200 others as the lead singer for the Chad Mitchell Trio. It would take him a few years and a few albums to hone his talent and develop his own particular style. His first hit song was “Leaving On A Jet Plane,” which was the only number one hit ever recorded by the group, Peter, Paul and Mary.
John Denver had a global presence and a global message. He cared about the world and its people.
Read about the life of this amazing and talented man whose life ended far too soon in a plane crash in October of 1997.
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His musical journey began at the age of eleven when he was given his grandmother’s acoustical guitar. He took lessons, joined a boy’s choir and at the age of twenty, pursued his dream of a career in music. He moved to Los Angeles in 1963 and changed his surname from Deutchendorf to Denver, the city he loved best. His first break came when he was chosen from among more than 200 others as the lead singer for the Chad Mitchell Trio. It would take him a few years and a few albums to hone his talent and develop his own particular style. His first hit song was “Leaving On A Jet Plane,” which was the only number one hit ever recorded by the group, Peter, Paul and Mary.
John Denver had a global presence and a global message. He cared about the world and its people.
Read about the life of this amazing and talented man whose life ended far too soon in a plane crash in October of 1997.
Click Here