Biographies

This biography of the 15th century Aztec ruler Moctezuma II focuses on his success in gaining control over several smaller states in the Yucatan region. This success, however, was tempered by resentment among these vassal states over the harsh...

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.   The biography includes a series of questions based...

This biography of the 16th century Spanish theologian St. Ignatius of Loyola focuses on his early years as a soldier, his religious conversion, and his role in the formation of the Society of Jesus.   The biography includes a series of...

This dual biography of William Shakespeare and Miguel Cervantes focuses on each writer's literary accomplishments, including Shakespeare's multitude of comedies, histories, and tragedies, and Cervantes' seminal work, Don Quixote de la Mancha...

This biography of the German inventor Johannes Gutenberg focuses on his experimentation with printing, his subsequent invention of the movable type printing press, and its impact on both the Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation...

This biography focuses on Minamoto Yoritomo, the first shogun of Japan. The biography recounts his role in defeating that Taira clan during the late 1100s and his creation of a military dictatorship. The biography includes a series of questions based on...

This bundle consists of two biographies on Genghis Khan, the founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire. The biographies can be either printed directly as pdfs OR easily converted to digital activities using Google Slides. The first biography...

This biography profiles Mansa Musa, the leader of the Mali empire during the early 14th century. Tracing his rise to the throne, the biography focuses on Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca, during which he brought a reported 60 thousand attendants and 12...

This biography of Muhammad is ideal for introducing students to his early life. Beginning with a description of where he was born and the troubles he endured as a child, the biography traces how Muhammad's acceptance into the local class of merchants...

This biography focuses on the Renaissance artists Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Raphael Sanzio, and Titian.   The biography includes a series of questions based on the reading.   In using this in my own class room,...

This biography of John Calvin, a 16th century French theologian, pastor, and reformer, focuses on his seminal work, Institutes of the Christian Religion, his belief in predestination, and his efforts in organizing the Reformed church...

This biography of Martin Luther, a 16th century German friar, focuses on his decision to become a monk in 1505, his opposition to the sale of indulgences by the Catholic Church, his posting of the Ninety-Five Theses, and his subsequent excommunication...