Biographies

The Highwayman came riding, riding, riding..." That is how the poem, "The Highwayman," begins. From that point on, you are pulled into the story. You can see The Highwayman," riding up to the inn, hear the horses feet on the cobblestones and see Beth, "plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair." As a child, this was one of my favorite poems. It still is.

Louisa May Alcott was determined that her she would be rich and famous when she grew up. Her goal was to take her family out of the poverty that they lived in when she was growing up. Louisa left us a great legacy for short stories and books, the best-known being, Little Women.

Mar 1, 2005 - Mary M. Alward

Martin Luther King Jr., devoted his life to the Civil Rights Movement. He was named one of the great people of the 20th Century by Time Magazine. His legacy will live on forever.

Feb 3, 2005 - Mary M. Alward

Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812. One of his best known writings, "A Christmas Carol," has been adapted to film several times over the years. Be sure to pick up a copy this Holiday Season.

Dec 1, 2004 - Mary M. Alward

In July 1915, Billy Bishop watched a Nieuport biplane take off. He knew immediately that he wanted to be a pilot and engage the enemy in battle in the air. What he didn't know is that he would be come the best fighter pilot in the Allied Forces.

Nov 2, 2004 - Mary M. Alward

It was a dark and stormy night at the Villa Diodati in Geneva, Switzerland. Thunder boomed. Lightning flashed. The storm raged. Little did Mary know that the beginning of a monster would be formed on that fateful night in 1816.

Oct 1, 2004 - Mary M. Alward

Phillis Wheatley was born in West Africa. When she was young, she was captured by slave traders and brought to Boston. She was purchased by John Wheatley, as a personal maid for his wife. Never could the Wheatley's have realized that Phillis, as they named her, would one day be the first African-American published poet in the U.S.

Sep 1, 2004 - Mary M. Alward

Can you imagine joining the Lewis and Clark expedition at the age of fifteen and walking hundreds of miles with a baby strapped to your back? This is exactly what Sacajawea (pronounced sah-kah-guh-wee-uh) did when she was approximately fifteen years old.

Aug 1, 2004 - Mary M. Alward

Harriet Ann Jacobs was born into slavery at Edenton, North Carolina in 1813. Sexually harassed by Dr. Norcom, she became desperate. She hid in a crawlspace in her grandmother's house for six years, eleven months. When she finally gained her freedom, she wrote "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl."

Jul 1, 2004 - Mary M. Alward

It's hard to imagine what life was like for early settlers to Canada. Early pioneer, Marie Henriette Ross, faced daily challenges. In addition, she blazed a trail in the world of science, inspiring future generations.

Jun 1, 2004 - Mary M. Alward

On December 5, 1839, a baby boy was born in a farmhouse in New Rumley, Ohio. Little did his parents know that one day his name would be known around the world.

May 2, 2004 - Mary M. Alward

Henry Bibb was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, on May 10,1815. His father was Senator James Bibb. His mother was Mildred Jackson, a slave who worked on the plantation of William Gatewood.

Apr 1, 2004 - Mary M. Alward

In 1846, the towns of Pictou and Truro Nova Scotia were abuzz with news of a giant baby. The rumors were true. On August 6, 1846, Ann Swan, wife of Alexander Swan gave birth to a baby that weighed 18 lbs.

Mar 1, 2004 - Mary M. Alward

In 1846, the towns of Pictou and Truro, Nova Scotia, were abuzz with the news of a giant baby. The rumors were true. On August 6, 1846, Ann Swan, wife of Alexander Swan, gave birth to a daughter who weighed 18 lbs.

Feb 1, 2004 - Mary M. Alward

Sarah Emma Edmonds successfully completed eleven spying missions during the Civil War using the alias Frank Thompson.

Jan 1, 2004 - Mary M. Alward

James Maitland Stewart was born on May 20, 1908, the only son of Alex and Elizabeth Stewart. Jimmy attended Princeton University where he joined the University Players, a group of fledgling actors. The rest is history.

Dec 1, 2003 - Mary M. Alward

Don Knotts was born in Morgantown, West Virginia on July 21, 1924. He got his beginnings in show business after creating a dummy named Danny and performing his ventriloquist act at school and church functions.

Nov 1, 2003 - Mary M. Alward

Clara Barton was born on December 25, 1821, in North Oxford, Massachusetts. She worked with the wounded during the Civil War and went on to found the American Red Cross.

Oct 1, 2003 - Mary M. Alward

Clara Barton was born on December 25, 1821, in North Oxford, Massachusetts. She worked with the wounded during the Civil War and went on to found the American Red Cross.

Sep 1, 2003 - Mary M. Alward

Eliza Field was born in London, England in 1804. Spoiled and pampered, she never dreamed that she would marry and move to Upper Canada, where she would aid her husband in translating the Bible and helping the Native people in the area.

Aug 1, 2003 - Mary M. Alward

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, in Salzburg, Austria. When he was four, he already had extraordinary powers of musical memory. Though his life was one of obsession, loneliness and poverty, his music is still in great demand today.

Jul 15, 2003 - Mary M. Alward

Maude Abbott was determines she would go to school and become a doctor. Maude succeeded and was one of the most famous doctors of her time.

Jul 1, 2003 - Mary M. Alward

In June 1829, a baby was born in an Indian village in No-doyohn Canyon, Arizona. Never did his parents dream that this child would someday become one of the greatest Apache chiefs of all time.

Jun 15, 2003 - Mary M. Alward

Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi. When she entered the world, Oprah already faced overwhelming obstacles. She was born out of wedlock, black and poor.

Jun 1, 2003 - Mary M. Alward

On April 29, 1889, at 6:30 pm, a baby was born in Braunau am Inn, Austria. He was the son of Alois Hitler and his wife, Klara. Of the six children born to the couple, only two survived - Adolf Hitler and his sister, Paula.

May 23, 2003 - Mary M. Alward

In 1862, Julia and her husband Samuel were invited to Washington by President Abraham Lincoln. While there, Julia met clergyman Freeman Clarke, who encouraged her to write a song to replace "John Brown's Body." The next morning at dawn, Julia jotted down the worlds that would become "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."

May 8, 2003 - Mary M. Alward

Klaus Eidam counters past assumptions and reveals new truths about the musician/composer.

Jul 6, 2001 - Mary M. Alward

Actress/author Shirley MacLaine's tinseltown memories.

Jun 22, 2001 - Mary M. Alward

Arthur Ellen's life as a hypnotist and the people he helped overcome fear through the power of their minds.

Jun 8, 2001 - Mary M. Alward

A review of Su's book in which the exiled member of China's crushed pro-democracy movement describes his and his family's struggles after the car accident that crippled his wife.

May 25, 2001 - Mary M. Alward

One of the first supermodels, Jean Shrimpton wrote about her early fame in the 1960s and how to break into modeling.

May 11, 2001 - Mary M. Alward

Aleene's life story and how she helped start the craft industry.

Apr 27, 2001 - Mary M. Alward

A review of Bonderoff's book analyzing Alda's life in comparison to his famous father and why Alda appeals to the public.

Apr 13, 2001 - Mary M. Alward

A review of a biography about a shopkeeper, teacher, and philanthropist ahead of her time.

Mar 30, 2001 - Mary M. Alward

Robert Lardine's look at former "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson.

Mar 16, 2001 - Mary M. Alward

A review of a book about the struggles and successes of America's favorite redhead.

Mar 2, 2001 - Mary M. Alward

Elvis Presley's life in his own words transcribed from letters he wrote and interviews he gave.

Feb 16, 2001 - Mary M. Alward

A review of an inspirational biography covering the man remembered for playing Little Joe, Charles Ingalls, and Jonathan the angel.

Feb 2, 2001 - Mary M. Alward

Joseph "Reverend Run" Simmon's story of his Run-D.M.C. rapper persona and his altar ego.

Jan 19, 2001 - Mary M. Alward

A review of Evans' tell-all about the English actor and comic best known for playing Inspector Clouseau in the "Pink Panther" movies.

Jan 5, 2001 - Mary M. Alward

A review of an in-depth book about the life of the civil rights activist who inspired the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott.

Dec 22, 2000 - Mary M. Alward

Hurkos' amazing chronicle of how an accident caused his alleged psychic powers and their effect on his life.

Dec 8, 2000 - Mary M. Alward

A review of Lynn Snowden Picket's intimate account of her life as a boxer.

Nov 24, 2000 - Mary M. Alward

A review of Sister Maryanna, O.P.'s book of memories about the people and places she knew.

Nov 10, 2000 - Mary M. Alward

The fascinating story of how a peasant woman lied her way to the top of late-nineteenth century French society.

Oct 27, 2000 - Mary M. Alward

Musician/composer Frank Zappa's engrossing autobiography.

Oct 13, 2000 - Mary M. Alward

Robert Donovan's life and career chronicling five U.S. presidents.

Sep 29, 2000 - Mary M. Alward

A review of Michael Herr's anecdotes which shed light on his late friend, director Stanley Kubrick.

Sep 15, 2000 - Mary M. Alward

A review of one of the first biographies to document actor Sidney Poitier's life since his childhood to his rise to fame on stage and screen.

Sep 1, 2000 - Mary M. Alward

The story of a woman who had a son out of wedlock during the Depression and his coming to terms with the truth.

Aug 18, 2000 - Mary M. Alward

August's "retro bio": Roger Corman's life, his stories, and anecdotes about making low-budget films.

Aug 4, 2000 - Mary M. Alward

The autobiography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's late mother.

Jul 21, 2000 - Mary M. Alward

July's "retro bio": a review of American International Pictures producer and co-founder Sam Arkoff's autobiography.

Jul 7, 2000 - Mary M. Alward

The biography from ancient times to modern day.

May 22, 2000 - Mary M. Alward