Biographies

Cassadee Pope: American singer-songwriter and former Hey Monday frontwoman Cassadee Pope Overview of Cassadee Pope — her early life, rise to fame with Hey Monday and The Voice, shift from pop-punk to country, notable releases and musical style.

Cassandra Austen (1773–1845), sister and confidante of Jane Austen Cassandra Austen Cassandra Austen (1773–1845) was the elder sister and lifelong confidante of novelist Jane Austen. She preserved family papers, made sketches, cared for relatives, and never marrie…

Cassandra Lynn — American model and Playboy Playmate Cassandra Lynn Overview of Cassandra Lynn (1979–2014), an American model best known as Playboy's Playmate of the Month for February 2006, with background, career highlights, personal life and cir…

Cassandra Peterson — creator and performer of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark Cassandra Peterson American actress and television personality Cassandra Peterson is best known for Elvira, a campy horror-hostess persona who fronted Elvira's Movie Macabre and a 1988 feature film,…

Cassi Davis: Actress and Longtime Tyler Perry Collaborator Cassi Davis Overview of Cassi Davis, the American actress and singer best known for portraying Ella Payne on Tyler Perry's House of Payne and The Paynes, her career, style, and cultural impact…

Cassie (Skins character) Cassandra “Cassie” Ainsworth is a central teen in the British TV series Skins, played by Hannah Murray; known for a dreamy, fragile personality, struggles with an eating disorder a…

Cassie Scerbo — American actress and singer Cassie Scerbo Overview of Cassie Scerbo, an American singer and actress known for television and film roles, early life on Long Island and Florida, career highlights, and typical screen persona.

Cassie Ventura — American singer, model, dancer and actress Cassie Ventura Cassie (Casandra Ventura) is an American singer, model, dancer and actress known for the 2006 hit "Me & U", her modeling work and her role in Step Up 2: The Streets.

Cassius Dio: Roman Senator and Historian of Rome in Greek Cassius Dio Cassius Dio (c. AD 150–235) was a Roman statesman and prolific Greek‑language historian whose 80‑book Roman History remains a key source for ancient Rome from Aeneas to the early t…

Cate Blanchett Australian actress and director known for her versatility across film and theatre; two-time Academy Award winner and recipient of numerous international honours.

Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange Heir apparent to the Dutch throne, born 7 December 2003; eldest child of King Willem‑Alexander and Queen Máxima, known as Princess of Orange since 2013 and a member of the House of…

Catharine A. MacKinnon American feminist legal scholar and lawyer known for arguing that sexual harassment is sex discrimination and for co-developing an anti‑pornography civil‑rights framework.

Catherine Ashton, Baroness Ashton of Upholland Catherine Ashton British Labour politician and peer; first High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (EU 'foreign minister'), serving from 2009 to 2014. Career spans…

Catherine Bach American actress born March 1, 1954, best known for portraying Daisy Duke on The Dukes of Hazzard; noted for a long television and film career and lasting pop-culture impact.

Catherine Breillat: French filmmaker and novelist Catherine Breillat Overview of Catherine Breillat, the French director and writer known for confronting sexuality, gender and power through explicit, controversial films and novels linked to the New…

Catherine Cortez Masto — U.S. Senator and former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto Catherine Cortez Masto is an American attorney and Democratic politician from Nevada. She served as the state's attorney general and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016, becomin…

Catherine de' Medici (1519–1589) — Italian-born queen and influential queen mother of France Catherine de' Medici Italian-born member of the Medici family who became queen consort of France, later a powerful queen mother and patron of the arts; remembered for her role during the French Wars of…

Catherine Deneuve — French Film Actress and Fashion Collaborator Catherine Deneuve Catherine Deneuve — French film actress with a five-decade career, acclaimed for Repulsion and Belle de Jour, collaborations with Buñuel and Truffaut, and long-standing ties to Yve…

Catherine Deshayes (La Voisin) — fortune‑teller and figure in the Affair of the Poisons Catherine Deshayes Catherine Deshayes, known as La Voisin (c.1640–1680), was a Parisian fortune‑teller accused of running a criminal network of poisons, black masses and illicit services; central to…

Catherine Emmerich (1774–1824) Catherine Emmerich German Augustinian nun and mystic known for detailed visions of the life of Jesus and Mary, recorded after her death; her accounts influenced devotional literature and popular medi…

Catherine Hamlin — founder of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital and obstetrician Catherine Hamlin Australian obstetrician Catherine Hamlin (1924–2020) co-founded the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, pioneering free surgical repair, rehabilitation and training for women with obstet…

Catherine Hardwicke American production designer and filmmaker known for Thirteen, Lords of Dogtown, The Nativity Story, Twilight and Red Riding Hood; noted for gritty teen drama and atmospheric visua…

Catherine Hardy Lavender American sprinter and 1952 Olympic gold medalist in the 4×100 metres relay; later a longtime educator in Atlanta, Georgia.

Catherine Howard (c. 1521–1542) Catherine Howard Catherine Howard, fifth wife of Henry VIII, was queen consort briefly (1540–1541). Her youth, alleged affairs and rapid fall from favour ended in arrest and execution, and her stor…

Catherine II of Russia (Catherine the Great) Catherine II of Russia Empress of Russia (1762–1796) who expanded the empire, promoted arts and Enlightenment ideas, reformed administration and law for elites, and presided over contested social and ter…

Catherine Martin — Australian costume and production designer Catherine Martin Catherine Martin is an Australian costume, production and set designer and film producer, noted for lavish, theatrical designs and four Academy Awards for Moulin Rouge! and The Gre…

Catherine O'Hara — Canadian actress, comedian and writer Catherine O'Hara Profile of Catherine O'Hara, the Canadian-born actress and comedian known for SCTV, Beetlejuice, Home Alone and Schitt's Creek, with career overview, major roles, awards and person…

Saint Catherine of Alexandria Catherine of Alexandria Legendary early Christian scholar and martyr from Alexandria, known for the spiked wheel, debated historicity, venerated in Eastern and Western churches and associated with Mount S…

Catherine of Aragon Spanish princess who became Queen of England as Henry VIII’s first wife; mother of Mary I and central figure in the annulment that led to England’s break with Rome.

Catherine of Braganza, Queen Consort of Charles II Catherine of Braganza Portuguese infanta Catherine of Braganza (1638–1705) was queen consort to Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland. Her marriage shaped Anglo‑Portuguese ties, brought colonial p…

Catherine of Portugal (1436–1463), Infanta and Poor Clare nun Catherine of Portugal Infanta Catherine of Portugal (1436–1463), daughter of King Edward, lived much of her life in religious seclusion as a member of the Poor Clares and died in the Convent of Saint Cl…

Catherine of Siena (1347–1380) — mystic, reformer, and Doctor of the Church Catherine of Siena Italian Dominican tertiary, mystic and writer who influenced the papacy, advocated church reform and charity; author of the Dialogue and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970.

Catherine of Valois (1401–1437): Queen of England and Tudor ancestor Catherine of Valois French princess, wife of Henry V, mother of Henry VI, and consort whose later relationship with Owen Tudor led to the Tudor dynasty and long-term effects on English succession.

Catherine Parr (c. 1512–1548), Queen of England and Ireland Catherine Parr Catherine Parr was the sixth and last wife of Henry VIII, a regent, writer, and patron who influenced the succession and religious debates of mid-16th-century England.

Catherine Paysan (Annie Hausen): French novelist, poet and playwright Catherine Paysan Catherine Paysan (Annie Hausen, 1926–2020) was a French writer from Sarthe known for novels, autobiographical works, poetry, plays and screenplays; recipient of the SGDL Grand Prix…

Catherine Small Long: Navy WAVE and U.S. Representative from Louisiana Catherine Small Long Biography of Catherine Small Long (1924–2019), a Democrat, Navy WAVE veteran and U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 8th district (1985–1987); first female military veteran elected…

Catherine Tate (English comedian, writer and actress) Catherine Tate English comedian and actress Catherine Tate is known for The Catherine Tate Show, her role as Donna Noble in Doctor Who, and as Nellie Bertram in the U.S. sitcom The Office.

Catherine Tizard: New Zealand mayor and governor-general Catherine Tizard Dame Catherine Tizard (1931–2021) was a New Zealand politician and public figure, the first woman to serve as Mayor of Auckland City and the first female Governor‑General of New Ze…

Catherine Zeta-Jones: Welsh actress and Academy Award winner Catherine Zeta-Jones Profile of Catherine Zeta-Jones, a Welsh stage and film actress known for her Hollywood breakthrough, Oscar-winning role in Chicago, honours, and public life.

Catherine, Princess of Wales (Catherine Elizabeth Middleton) Catherine, Princess of Wales Biography of Catherine, Princess of Wales: early life, education, marriage to Prince William, public duties, patronages, charitable interests and public image.

Cathleen Synge Morawetz: mathematician and leader in partial differential equations Cathleen Synge Morawetz Canadian-born American mathematician Cathleen S. Morawetz made foundational contributions to the theory of partial differential equations related to fluid flow and served as direct…

Cathy Freeman — Australian 400m sprinter and 2000 Olympic champion Cathy Freeman Overview of Cathy Freeman: Australian Aboriginal sprinter, 2000 Olympic 400m champion who lit the Sydney cauldron; her career, background, major wins and cultural legacy.

Cathy Inglese — American women's college basketball coach Cathy Inglese Profile of Cathy Inglese (1958–2019), an American college women's basketball coach who led programs at Vermont, Boston College and Rhode Island and is remembered for program-buildi…

Cathy McMorris Rodgers U.S. Representative for Washington’s 5th District since 2005, a Republican leader with a background in state politics, focusing on rural economies, energy, veterans, and conservati…

Cathy Ubels‑Veen: Dutch politician and Evangelical People's Party representative Cathy Ubels-Veen Cathy Ubels‑Veen (1928–2015) was a Dutch politician who served in the House of Representatives from 1982 to 1986 for the Christian‑left Evangelical People's Party. This article sum…

Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato) Cato the Elder Roman statesman and moralist (234–149 BC), known as Censor and for promoting traditional Roman values, agricultural writing, and his role in provoking the Third Punic War.

Cato the Younger (Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis) Cato the Younger Roman statesman and Stoic known for integrity and opposition to Caesar; remembered as Cato Minor for his austerity, oratory, and principled stand for Republican values.

Cauby Peixoto: Brazilian singer and actor (1931–2016) Cauby Peixoto Comprehensive overview of Cauby Peixoto, a Brazilian singer and actor noted for his deep voice, theatrical image, brief U.S. career in the 1950s, and a professional span from the l…