Biographies

Felix Magath Felix Magath (born 26 July 1953) is a German former football player and coach, noted for a successful playing career with the national team and later managing several top Bundeslig…

Félix Miéli Venerando Félix Miéli Venerando (born 24 December 1937) is a retired Brazilian football goalkeeper best known for his role with the Brazil national team and as part of the 1970 World Cup squ…

Felix Rohatyn: Investment Banker, Civic Reformer, and U.S. Ambassador Felix Rohatyn Felix Rohatyn (1928–2019) was an American investment banker and diplomat best known for his long career at Lazard, his role in rescuing New York City’s finances in the 1970s, and h…

Félix Schnyder — Swiss lawyer and UN diplomat Félix Schnyder Swiss lawyer and diplomat (1910–1992), chairman of UNICEF in 1960 and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from 1960 to 1965; known for guiding humanitarian agencies throu…

Félix Tshisekedi — President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Félix Tshisekedi Congolese politician Félix Tshisekedi, leader of the UDPS, president since 2019 and African Union chair 2021–2022. Overview of his background, rise, policies, and challenges.

Felix Weingartner: conductor, composer and pianist Felix Weingartner Felix von Weingartner (1863–1942) was an Austrian conductor, composer and pianist noted for clear, score-faithful interpretations, writings on conducting, compositions across genre…

Felix Yusupov: Russian aristocrat and participant in Rasputin's assassination Felix Yusupov Prince Felix Yusupov (1887–1967) was a wealthy Russian nobleman best known for his role in the 1916 killing of Grigori Rasputin, his later exile in Paris, and his published memoirs…

Fenella Fielding: English actress and comic icon (1927–2018) Fenella Fielding English stage, film and television actress noted for her husky voice, saucy persona and comic roles in Carry On films, Uncle Jack and Guest House Paradiso. Awarded the OBE for serv…

Feng Tianwei — Singaporean table tennis player Feng Tianwei Profile of Feng Tianwei, a right‑handed, shakehand‑grip table tennis player born in Harbin who represented Singapore internationally and won Olympic and major international medals.

Feng Ting-kuo: Taiwanese politician (1950–2018) Feng Ting-kuo Feng Ting-kuo (馮定國; 1950–2018) was a Taiwanese elected official who served on the Taipei City Council, in the National Assembly and as a member of the Legislative Yuan representing…

Feodor III of Russia (Feodor Alexeyevich) Feodor III of Russia Feodor III (1661–1682) was Tsar of Russia from 1676 to 1682. His brief reign is noted for ending the mestnichestvo system, modest administrative and military reforms, frail health,…

Feodor Lynen German biochemist Feodor Lynen (1911–1979) elucidated how cholesterol and fatty acids are synthesized and regulated, shared the 1964 Nobel Prize with Konrad Bloch, and led biochemi…

Ferdinand Cohn: Pioneer of Bacteriology and Modern Microbiology Ferdinand Cohn Biography and overview of Ferdinand Julius Cohn (1828–1898), his botanical origins, key discoveries in bacterial classification and endospore research, and his lasting influence on…

Ferdinand de Lesseps, Suez Canal developer and Panama project leader Ferdinand de Lesseps French diplomat (1805–1894) who organized and led construction of the Suez Canal (opened 1869) and later directed the failed Panama effort, a career that combined engineering ambit…

Ferdinand de Saussure: Pioneer of Structural Linguistics and Semiotics Ferdinand de Saussure Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure (1857–1913) formulated foundational ideas in structural linguistics and semiotics, including signifier/signified, langue/parole, and synchronic…

Ferdinand I of Bulgaria Ruler of Bulgaria from 1887 to 1918, proclaimed himself Tsar in 1908, led the country through the Balkan Wars and World War I, and spent his final decades in exile in Germany.

Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies King who united Naples and Sicily in 1816; Bourbon monarch whose long reign (as Ferdinand IV/III before 1816) spanned the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic upheavals and the post…

Ferdinand II of Aragon (Ferdinand the Catholic) Ferdinand II of Aragon King of Aragon (1479–1516) and, through marriage to Isabella, co-ruler of Castile. His reign helped centralize royal authority in the Iberian Peninsula and set Spain on a path to w…

Ferdinand Lassalle: 19th-Century German Jurist and Socialist Leader Ferdinand Lassalle Biography and significance of Ferdinand Lassalle (1825–1864), his education, political ideas, founding of the ADAV, conflict with Marx, and legacy in German social democracy.

Ferdinand Lemaire: librettist of Samson et Dalila and 19th‑century writer Ferdinand Lemaire Ferdinand Lemaire, a 19th‑century Creole writer from Martinique, is best known for supplying the French libretto to Saint‑Saëns's opera Samson et Dalila and for his small but lasti…

Ferdinand Magellan: navigator of a global voyage Ferdinand Magellan Portuguese-born explorer (c.1480–1521) who led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe. Known for navigating the Pacific and the strait that bears his name; died during th…

Ferdinand Marcos: Philippine leader, martial law, and contested legacy Ferdinand Marcos Ferdinand E. Marcos (1917–1989) was President of the Philippines (1965–1986) and later Prime Minister. His rule combined infrastructure programs and authoritarian control, ending w…

Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria (1636–1679) Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria Wittelsbach ruler who governed Bavaria 1651–1679, guided post‑war recovery, reformed administration, and promoted Italianate court culture; father of Maximilian II Emanuel.

Ferdinand Masset (1920–2014), Swiss Cantonal Politician Ferdinand Masset Swiss politician Ferdinand Masset (1920–2014) served on the State Council of the Canton of Fribourg as a member of the Free Democratic Party (FDP). Overview of his life, role, and…

Ferdinand Peroutka Czech journalist and essayist (1895–1978), long-time editor of the influential weekly Přítomnost; prominent defender of democratic values, persecuted under occupation and active in…

Ferdinand Piëch Austrian engineer and automotive executive (1937–2019) who led Volkswagen Group, expanded its brand portfolio, and had a lasting influence on car engineering and corporate strategy…

Ferdinand Porsche — Austrian engineer, designer, and founder of Porsche Ferdinand Porsche Ferdinand Porsche (1875–1951) was an influential Austrian automotive engineer who designed early hybrids, race cars, and the prototype that became the Volkswagen Beetle; he founded…

Ferdinand VI of Spain (1713–1759) Ferdinand VI of Spain King of Spain from 1746 to 1759; a Bourbon monarch noted for a policy of peace, internal reforms, cultural patronage and a quiet, reform-minded reign that ended without direct heir…

Ferdinand von Bismarck (1930–2019), German lawyer and Prince of Bismarck Ferdinand von Bismarck German lawyer, businessman and head of the Bismarck family from 1975 to 2019; managed family interests and estates and was a descendant of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck.

Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany Ferdinando I de' Medici (1549–1609), Grand Duke of Tuscany from 1587, former cardinal who promoted trade, created the free port of Livorno, strengthened the navy, and continued Med…

Ferdinando II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany (1610–1670) Ferdinando II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany Grand Duke of Tuscany for nearly five decades, patron of early experimental science and arts, whose reign saw cultural achievements alongside financial decline of the Medici bankin…

Ferdinando Imposimato: Italian magistrate and prosecutor Ferdinando Imposimato Profile of Ferdinando Imposimato (1936–2018), an Italian magistrate known for prosecuting major political crimes and mafia cases, and for later involvement in politics and public d…

Ferdowsi — Persian poet and author of the Shahnameh Ferdowsi Ferdowsi (Hakim Abul-Qasim Ferdowsi Tousi, c.935–1020) wrote the Shāhnāma, Persia's national epic. His work preserved pre-Islamic Iranian legends and shaped Persian language and li…

Ferenc Bene (1944–2006) Ferenc Bene Hungarian footballer and prolific forward, best known for his long spell with Újpesti Dózsa and for representing the Hungary national team in the 1960s–70s.

Ferenc Doór — Hungarian painter and graphic artist Ferenc Doór Ferenc Doór (1918–2015) was a Hungarian painter and graphic artist known for works inspired by the Danube and the town of Szentendre and for a steady commitment to figurative, land…

Ferenc Fricsay — Hungarian conductor and recording artist (1914–1963) Ferenc Fricsay Ferenc Fricsay was a Hungarian-born conductor celebrated for clear, intense interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven and Bartók. He led major European orchestras and made influential r…

Ferenc Juhász — Hungarian poet (1928–2015) Ferenc Juhász Ferenc Juhász (1928–2015) was a major Hungarian poet known for lyrical intensity, mythic imagery and wide translation. First published in 1946; awarded the Golden Wreath in 1992 an…

Ferenc Kósa (1937–2018) Ferenc Kósa Hungarian film director and screenwriter known for Ten Thousand Days, winner of the 1967 Cannes Best Director prize; active in Hungarian cinema from 1961 to 1988.

Ferenc Mádl — Hungarian legal scholar and President (1931–2011) Ferenc Mádl Ferenc Mádl was a Hungarian legal scholar, professor and politician who served as President of Hungary from 2000 to 2005. His term coincided with Hungary's accession to the Europea…

Ferenc Puskás: Hungarian football legend Ferenc Puskás Ferenc Puskás (1927–2006) was a prolific Hungarian forward whose skill and goalscoring made him one of football's icons. He starred for Hungary and Real Madrid; the FIFA Puskás Awa…

Fergie (Stacy Ann Ferguson) — Singer, Songwriter and Entertainer Fergie Overview of Fergie (Stacy Ann Ferguson): child performer turned pop star, member of Wild Orchid and The Black Eyed Peas, solo artist behind The Dutchess and Double Dutchess, actres…

Ferid Murad: American Physician and Nobel Laureate in Medicine Ferid Murad Ferid Murad (born 1936) is an American physician and pharmacologist who helped discover nitric oxide–cGMP signaling; awarded the 1998 Nobel Prize for its role in cardiovascular fun…

Feride Rushiti — Founder of the Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims Feride Rushiti Kosovan physician and human-rights advocate who founded and directs the Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (KRCT), noted for rehabilitation services, advocacy and leg…

Feridun Buğeker — Turkish forward and 1954 World Cup squad member Feridun Buğeker Overview of Feridun Buğeker (1933–2014), a Turkish football forward who played for Fenerbahçe and represented Turkey at the 1954 FIFA World Cup. Career, style, legacy and key facts…

Fermín IV — Mexican rapper and former Control Machete frontman Fermín IV Fermín IV Caballero Elizondo is a Mexican rapper and songwriter from Monterrey who rose to prominence with the group Control Machete and later pursued a solo career and Christian m…

Fernanda Montenegro: Brazilian actress and cultural icon Fernanda Montenegro Fernanda Montenegro (born Arlette Pinheiro Esteves Torres, 1929) is a celebrated Brazilian actress whose career spans theatre, television and film; she received an Academy Award no…

Fernanda Young: Brazilian writer, actress and creator of modern TV comedies Fernanda Young Overview of Fernanda Young (1970–2019), her career as a writer, screenwriter, presenter and actress, key works, themes, and legacy in Brazilian television and literature.

Fernandão — Brazilian striker and Internacional captain Fernandão Overview of Fernando Lúcio da Costa (Fernandão), his playing career, leadership at Internacional, coaching stint, and legacy after his death in 2014.