Epictetus, philosopher who maintains that the foundation of all philosophy is self-knowledge

Epictetus (c. AD 50 – 135) was a Greek-speaking Stoic philosopher. He was born a slave at Hierapolis, Phrygia (present day Pamukkale, Turkey). He lived in Rome until his banishment, when he went to Nicopolis in northwestern Greece for the rest of his life. His teachings were written down and published by his pupil Arrian […]

Vikram Seth, Indian novelist and poet

Vikram Seth CBE (June 20, 1952) is an Indian novelist and poet. He has written several novels and poetrybooks. He has received several awards including Padma Shri, Sahitya Akademi Award, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, WH Smith Literary Award and Crossword Book Award. Seth’s collections of poetry such as Mappings and Beastly Talesare notable contributions to the […]

Laurence Sterne, Irish novelist and an Anglican clergyman

Laurence Sterne (24 November 1713 – 18 March 1768) was an Irish novelist and an Anglican clergyman. He wrote the novels The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman and A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy, and also published many sermons, wrote memoirs, and was involved in local politics. Sterne died in London after […]

George Herbert, Welsh-born poet, orator and Anglican priest

George Herbert (3 April 1593 – 1 March 1633) was a Welsh-born poet, orator and Anglican priest. Herbert’s poetry is associated with the writings of the metaphysical poets, and he is recognised as “one of the foremost British devotionallyricists.” Born into an artistic and wealthy family, Herbert was largely raised in England and received there […]

Coco Chanel, French fashion designer and businesswoman

Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel (August 19, 1883 – January 10, 1971) was a French fashion designer and businesswoman. She was the founder and namesake of the Chanel brand. Along with Paul Poiret, Chanel was credited in the post-World War I era with liberating women from the constraints of the “corseted silhouette” and popularizing a sporty, […]

Elbert Green Hubbard, known best as the founder of the Roycroft artisan community in East Aurora, NY

Elbert Green Hubbard (June 19, 1856 – May 7, 1915) was an American writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher. Raised in Hudson, Illinois, he had early success as a traveling salesman for the Larkin Soap Company. Hubbard is known best as the founder of the Roycroft artisan community in East Aurora, New York, an influential exponent […]

Henry David Thoreau, American author deeply interested in the idea of survival in the face of hostile elements

Henry David Thoreau (July 12, 1817 – May 6, 1862) was an American essayist, poet, philosopher, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, and historian. A leading transcendentalist, Thoreau is best known for his book “Walden,” a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay “Civil Disobedience” (originally published as “Resistance to Civil […]

Walt Whitman, American poet, essayist, and humanist who was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works

Walter “Walt” Whitman (May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892) was an American poet, essayist, and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse. His work […]

Carly Fiorina, American businessperson and political candidate who ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate in 2010 and the Republican presidential nomination in 2016

Cara Carleton Fiorina (born September 6, 1954) is an American businessperson and political candidate, known primarily for her tenure as CEO of Hewlett-Packard (HP). She ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate in 2010 and the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. As Chief Executive Officer of HP from 1999 to 2005, Fiorina was the first woman […]

Florence Nightingale, English social reformer and statistician, and the founder of modern nursing

Florence Nightingale (May 12, 1820 – August 13, 1910) was an English social reformer and statistician, and the founder of modern nursing. She is one of the most famous people from the Victorian era. Nightingale came to prominence while serving as a manager of nurses trained by her during the Crimean War, where she organised the […]

Hesiod, Greek poet

Hesiod was a Greek poet generally thought by scholars to have been active between 750 and 650 BC, around the same time as Homer. He is generally regarded as the first written poet in the Western tradition to regard himself as an individual persona with an active role to play in his subject. Ancient authors […]

Benjamin Harrison, American politician and lawyer who served as the 23rd President of the United States (1889-1893)

Benjamin Harrison (August 20, 1833 – March 13, 1901) was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 23rd President of the United States from 1889 to 1893; he was the grandson of the ninth president, William Henry Harrison, creating the only grandfather-grandson duo to hold the office. Before ascending to the presidency, Harrison established […]