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
Pizarro,
Francisco (1476?-1541), Spanish explorer and conqueror
of Peru, noted for his audacity, courage, cruelty, and
unscrupulousness and for his abilities as a military
and civil leader.
Pizarro was born in Trujillo. He came to America in
1510 and took part in a number of exploratory expeditions,
including that of Vasco de Balboa, which resulted in
Spain's claim to the Pacific Ocean in 1513. In 1519
Pizarro settled in Panama. Five years later he became
a partner of the Spanish soldier and explorer Diego
de Almagro and others in a project to explore and conquer
territory to the south of Panama. In two expeditions
(1524-25, 1526-28), Pizarro explored the west coast
of South America and learned of the existence of the
Inca Empire of Peru. In 1526 the partners contracted
to cooperate in the conquest of Peru, and in 1528 Pizarro
went to Spain to enlist royal aid for the venture. The
following year Charles I, king of Spain, better known
as Charles V, Holy Roman emperor, granted Pizarro the
authority to conquer and rule Peru. Pizarro raised a
military force in Spain and in 1530 sailed to Panama,
where he enlisted additional recruits. In 1531, with
about 180 men, Pizarro sailed for Peru, landing there
in 1532. He conquered the Inca Empire, executed Emperor
Atahualpa, and in 1535 founded the city of Lima as the
capital of Peru in place of the native capital Cuzco.
After his conquest of Peru, conflicts over territorial
jurisdiction developed, and in 1537 civil war broke
out between Pizarro and Almagro. Pizarro's followers
defeated those of Almagro in 1538, and Almagro was put
to death. In 1541 a group still loyal to Almagro assassinated
Pizarro.
