National Biographies

Nelson Mandela

Nationality: South African

Lifespan: 1918–2013

Profession: Anti-Apartheid Activist, President

Achievements: Led South Africa's transition from apartheid to democracy; Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Mahatma Gandhi

Nationality: Indian

Lifespan: 1869–1948

Profession: Political Leader, Philosopher

Achievements: Leader of the Indian independence movement; advocate of nonviolent resistance.

Abraham Lincoln

Nationality: American

Lifespan: 1809–1865

Profession: 16th President of the United States

Achievements: Preserved the Union during the Civil War; abolished slavery in the U.S.

Winston Churchill

Nationality: British

Lifespan: 1874–1965

Profession: Prime Minister, Writer

Achievements: Led Britain during World War II; Nobel Prize in Literature.

Marie Curie

Nationality: Polish-French

Lifespan: 1867–1934

Profession: Physicist, Chemist

Achievements: Pioneer in radioactivity; first woman to win a Nobel Prize.

Simón Bolívar

Nationality: Venezuelan

Lifespan: 1783–1830

Profession: Military Leader, Statesman

Achievements: Liberated much of South America from Spanish rule.

Emmeline Pankhurst

Nationality: British

Lifespan: 1858–1928

Profession: Suffragette, Political Activist

Achievements: Leader in the fight for women's suffrage in the United Kingdom.

Che Guevara

Nationality: Argentine

Lifespan: 1928–1967

Profession: Revolutionary, Physician

Achievements: Key figure in the Cuban Revolution; symbol of rebellion.

Angela Merkel

Nationality: German

Lifespan: 1954–

Profession: Politician, Scientist

Achievements: First female Chancellor of Germany; known for her pragmatic leadership.

Catherine the Great

Nationality: Russian

Lifespan: 1729–1796

Profession: Empress of Russia

Achievements: Expanded the Russian Empire; implemented significant cultural reforms.