Around the World in 180 Days

This biography of the 16th century Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan focuses on his attempt to circumnavigate the globe in the service of the Spanish crown. The biography details the terms of...

This biography of the 16th century Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro focuses on his expeditions to South America, the conquest of the Inca Empire, and its impact on the indigenous peoples of...

This biography of Frederick Douglass focuses on his escape from slavery in Maryland, his support for women's suffrage, and his prominent role in both the abolitionist movement and full equality for...

This biography of the 17th century scientist Gaileo Galilei focuses on his contributions to the field of astronomy. Based on his observations of the phases of Venus and the moons of Jupiter,...

This biography of the 18th century British monarch George III focuses on his attempt to preserve control over England's American colonies. Beginning with the Proclamation of 1763, which prohibited...

This biography on George Washington focuses on his service during the American Revolution, his insistence on strengthening the national government in light on the failures of the Articles of...

This biography focuses on Harriet Beecher Stowe, an abolitionist and author whose novel Uncle Tom's Cabin showed Northerners the brutal realities of slavery in America during the mid-1800s. While...

This biography of Henry IV focuses on the dispute with Pope Gregory VII over lay investiture, his subsequent excommunication, the journey to Canossa, and the legacy of his reign over the Holy Roman...

This biography of the 16th century Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés focuses on his conquest of the Aztec Empire and its impact on the indigenous peoples of the region...

This biography of Jacob Riis focuses on his efforts as a "muckraker" to expose the poor living conditions that existed in America's major cities during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The biography...

This biography of the 16th century French explorer Jacques Cartier focuses on his early experience as a sailor in the waters off Newfoundland, his explorations of St. Lawrence Bay, and his voyages...

This biography on James Madison focuses on his origins in Virginia, service as a delegate to the Continental Congress, role in drafting and advocating ratification of the Constitution, and actions as...