From William the Conqueror to Jane Austen, and from Genghis Khan to
Sophie Scholl, our biographies bring to life some of history’s most
interesting and influential figures. Whether the ruler of a vast empire
or the daughter of a country parson, these individuals have, in one way
or another, had a profound effect on our world. Some have founded
nations or won battles; some have changed the way we think or produced
inspirational works; and some have committed crimes that serve as a
warning to future generations. Through the lives of these men and women
we can gain a better understanding of both our past and our present.