J Edgar Hoover
This American criminologist and government officials career began in 1916 when he began work in the Justice Department in the War Emergency Division. He became the first director of the FBI.
John Edgar was born in 1935 in Washington DC. He studied law at George Washington University. In 1917 he joined the United States Department of Justice [more…]
Ned Kelly
Although Ned Kelly is one of Australias most notorious bushrangers, very few people know more than the fact that he and his gang wore metal armour over their heads and bodies.
Ned Kelly was born at Beveridge, Victoria in December 1854 to an Irish couple, John and Ellen Kelly. At the age of twelve, Neds [more…]
Nell Gwyn
Nell is famously remembered as the courtesan of Charles II, who was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1660-1685.
Nell Gwyn (also spelt Gwynne or Gwynn) is said to have started her life as a flower seller in Drury Lane (much like Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady). She went on to be a [more…]
Nero – Roman Emperor
Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus lived from AD 37-68. He was the fifth emperor of Rome and the last of the Julio-Claudian line.
Nero became emperor at the age of 17 and initially very popular, he eased his way in, gaining a reputation for moderation in his dealings. However this all changed and in 59 [more…]
Pyramids of Egypt
The Pyramids are one of the greatest wonders of the world and have been the topic of many questions and debates. Probably the biggest question is how these awesome architectural feats were constructed, especially since they date back to 3200 BC.
Although earlier estimates were much larger, modern Egyptologists believe that the labour force that [more…]
GalleryRasputin
Known as the Mad Monk, Grigori Rasputin had great influence in the Russian Court. His actions added to the rising discontent that led to the Russian Revolution.
From a poor, rural background, Rasputin came to prominence when as a monk and mystic, he was brought into the Russian royal house to alleviate the suffering of [more…]
GalleryBuffalo Bill
Legendary western character, William Frederick Cody is better remembered as Buffalo Bill, but why?
This nickname was given to Bill by his friend Ned Buntline, who made Cody the hero of a series of cheap western novels. The name alludes to William Cody’s early days as a buffalo hunter. He reportedly killed 4,280 buffalo [more…]
GalleryEdgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe is best known for his tales of the macabre and mysterious. He is said to have invented the detective fiction genre.
Edgar Poe was born in Boston and within two years of his birth, his parents – both actors – had died. He was taken in by John Allan, who never legally [more…]