Biography is
the written account of an individual life (Of course, an autobiography
is a biography written by the subject). Biography is as old as recorded
history.
Among the most ancient biographies are the narrative carvings and
hieroglyphic inscriptions on Egyptian tombs and temples (c.1300
B.C.), and the cuneiform inscriptions on Assyrian palace walls (c.720
B.C.) or Persian rock faces (c.520 B.C.). All these records proclaimed
the deeds of kings, although accuracy often gave way to glorification.
Among the first biographies of ordinary men, the Dialogues of Plato
(4th cent. B.C.) and the Gospels of the New Testament (1st and 2d
cent. A.D.) reveal their respective subjects by letting each speak
for himself. Even these early achievements of biography, however,
lack critical balance.
This web site has biographies of women and mem who contributed
to our culture in many different ways. There are writers, educators,
scientists, heads of state, politicians, civil rights crusaders,
artists, entertainers, and others. Some were alive hundreds of years
ago and some are living today.
In this biography web you can scroll down/up or select the first
letter of the name from the list of letters below to quickly find
the last name of who you are looking for in this index.
We presently have biographies on 100 people who have influenced
world in some way. We are adding new biographies all the time.
BIOGRAPHY Here are the biographies of the greatest men of the world
Volta,
Alessandro, Count (1745-1827), Italian physicist, known
for his pioneering work in electricity. Volta was born
in Como and educated in the public schools there. In
1774 he became professor of physics at the Royal School
in Como, and in the following year he devised the electrophorus,
an instrument that produced charges of static electricity.
In 1776-77 he applied himself to chemistry, studying
atmospheric electricity and devising experiments such
as the ignition of gases by an electric spark in a closed
vessel. In 1779 he became professor of physics at the
University of Pavia, a chair he occupied for 25 years.
By 1800 he had developed the so-called voltaic pile,
a forerunner of the electric battery, which produced
a steady stream of electricity (see Battery). In honor
of his work in the field of electricity, Napoleon made
him a count in 1801. The electrical unit known as the
volt was named in his honor.
