Biographies

Alexander Pechtold — Dutch politician and former leader of Democrats 66 Alexander Pechtold Profile of Alexander Pechtold, Dutch D66 politician: career, education, leadership roles, municipal and national offices, post-political work, and notable facts.

Alexander Petrovich Pochinok Alexander Pochinok Russian economist and public official who served as Minister of Taxes and Levies (1999–2000) and Minister of Labor and Social Development (2000–2004); noted for his roles in fiscal…

Alexander Pope Alexander Pope (1688–1744) was a leading English poet of the early 18th century, celebrated for satirical verse, polished heroic couplets, and influential translations of Homer’s e…

Alexander Pushkin: life, works, and legacy of Russia’s foundational poet Alexander Pushkin Concise overview of Alexander Pushkin (1799–1837): his biography, major works, stylistic innovations, historical context, and enduring influence on Russian language, literature and…

Alexander Ramsey (1815–1903): Minnesota governor, U.S. senator, and cabinet member Alexander Ramsey American statesman who served in the U.S. House, as Minnesota's first territorial governor, as state governor during the Civil War, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of War under Rutherf…

Alexander Ross (c.1590–1654) — Scottish writer and translator Alexander Ross (writer) Scottish cleric and prolific 17th-century author best known for the first complete English translation of the Qur'an (1649); vicar of St. Mary's, Carisbrooke, and a producer of ser…

Alexander Rusev (Miroslav Barnyashev) — Bulgarian professional wrestler Alexander Rusev Profile of Miroslav Barnyashev, known as Alexander Rusev / Rusev: athletic background, WWE career, in-ring style, major accomplishments and later work under the ring name Miro.

Alexander Rutskoy: Soviet officer and Russia's only Vice President, 1993 acting President Alexander Rutskoy Concise account of Alexander Rutskoy: former Soviet military officer, Russia's vice president (1991–1993), declared acting president during the 1993 constitutional crisis, later Go…

Alexander Rybak — Belarusian–Norwegian singer, composer and violinist Alexander Rybak Alexander Rybak (born 13 May 1986) is a Belarusian–Norwegian musician known for winning Eurovision 2009 with 'Fairytale'; he is a trained violinist, songwriter and performer active…

Alexander Schalck-Golodkowski: East German economic coordinator and KoKo chief Alexander Schalck-Golodkowski East German official (1932–2015) who led Kommerzielle Koordinierung (KoKo), managed hard-currency operations for the GDR, and held ranks in state security; later subject to legal s…

Alexander Scriabin: Russian pianist, composer and visionary (1872–1915) Alexander Scriabin Overview of Alexander Scriabin, his musical evolution from Romantic piano miniatures to late mystical, atonal works, notable compositions, ideas about synesthesia and multi‑sensory…

Alexander Selkirk: the Scottish castaway linked to Robinson Crusoe Alexander Selkirk Alexander Selkirk (c.1676–1721) was a Scottish sailing master marooned on an island in the Juan Fernández archipelago for about four years; his survival story became widely known a…

Alexander Sergeyevich Yakovlev Soviet aircraft designer (1906–1989) who founded the Yakovlev design bureau and created a range of fighters, trainers and civil types influential in Soviet aviation history.

Alexander E. Shilov (1930–2014) — Russian chemist and discoverer of the Shilov system Alexander Shilov Biography of Alexander Evgenievich Shilov, a Russian chemist who discovered the Shilov system for alkane C–H activation, his career at the Russian Academy of Sciences, and his lega…

Alexander "Sasha" Shulgin Alexander Shulgin American chemist and pharmacologist renowned for synthesizing and bioassaying psychoactive compounds, author of PiHKAL and TiHKAL, and for introducing MDMA to psychotherapists.

Alexander Siddig — actor best known for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Alexander Siddig Sudanese-born actor Alexander Siddig (b. 1965) is known for portraying Dr. Julian Bashir on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and later work in film and television, including Game of Thro…

Alexander Skarsgård Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård (born 1976) is known for roles in True Blood, Big Little Lies and The Legend of Tarzan. A member of a prominent acting family, his work spans film…

Alexander Stepanovich Popov — Russian physicist and early radio researcher Alexander Stepanovich Popov Alexander S. Popov (1859–1905) was a Russian physicist who developed and publicly demonstrated an early radio wave detector. He is celebrated in Russia for pioneering wireless dete…

Alexander H. Stephens (1812–1883) — American politician and Confederate vice president Alexander Stephens Georgia-born lawyer and politician Alexander H. Stephens served in the U.S. House, was vice president of the Confederate States, delivered the 'Cornerstone Speech', and returned to…

Alexander Stubb: Finnish politician, former prime minister and National Coalition Party leader Alexander Stubb Profile of Alexander Stubb, Finnish centre-right politician and former Prime Minister who led the National Coalition Party, detailing his national and EU roles, policy interests an…

Alexander Sulzer — German ice hockey defenseman in the DEL and NHL Alexander Sulzer Alexander Sulzer, German ice hockey defenseman who split his career between the DEL and the NHL, appearing for Düsseldorfer EG and NHL clubs including Nashville, Florida, Vancouver…

Alexander Tamanian — Architect of Modern Yerevan Alexander Tamanian Armenian neoclassical architect Alexander Tamanian (Ալեքսանդր Թամանյան) shaped Yerevan’s 20th-century appearance through a city master plan and landmark public buildings blending c…

Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath: aristocrat, artist and Longleat custodian Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath Alexander Thynn (1932–2020) was the 7th Marquess of Bath, an English aristocrat, artist and writer associated with Longleat House and its safari park; known for a flamboyant public…

Alexander Tikhanovich Belarusian pop singer (1952–2017), longtime member of the band Verasy and recipient of Belarusian state artistic honours; remembered for his role in popular Soviet and post‑Soviet…

Alexander Tolmer: South Australian police leader and gold escort commander Alexander Tolmer Biography of Alexander Tolmer (1815–1890), organiser of South Australia's mounted police, leader of gold escorts, and controversial police commissioner with a varied later career.

Alexander Tschäppät — Swiss politician and mayor of Bern Alexander Tschäppät Swiss Social Democratic politician (1952–2018), long-serving member of the National Council and Stadtpräsident (mayor) of Bern from 2005 to 2016.

Alexander Urbom — Swedish Ice Hockey Defenseman Alexander Urbom Profile of Alexander Urbom, a Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2009, covering his background, playing style, career path, and notable…

Alexander V. Acebo — Vermont State Auditor (1927–2019) Alexander V. Acebo Overview of Alexander V. "Tino" Acebo, long-serving Vermont State Auditor, his background, responsibilities, tenure from 1970–1993, and legacy.

Alexander Van der Bellen Austrian politician and economist who has served as President of Austria since 2017; former Green Party leader, re-elected in 2022 after a contested 2016 election.

Alexander Volkov (tennis player) Alexander Volkov (tennis) Russian professional tennis player Alexander Volkov (1967–2019), noted for his ATP titles including Milan 1991 and a deep run at Wimbledon, who helped raise the profile of Russian…

Alexander von Humboldt: explorer, naturalist, and founder of modern biogeography Alexander von Humboldt Prussian naturalist and explorer (1769–1859) whose expeditions, measurements, and publications helped establish biogeography and a holistic view of nature’s interconnections.

Alexander Vraciu — United States Navy fighter ace (1918–2015) Alexander Vraciu Alexander Vraciu was a U.S. Navy fighter ace in World War II, noted for shooting down six Japanese dive bombers in eight minutes and for his long postwar legacy as a decorated nava…

Alexander Vustin — Russian composer (1943–2020) Alexander Vustin Alexander Vustin (1943–2020) was a Russian composer of operas, chamber, vocal and orchestral music. His best-known opera is The Devil in Love; his works were performed internationa…

Alexander Walke German professional goalkeeper Alexander Walke (born 1983) is a veteran member of FC Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga, noted for his reliability, leadership and role in…

Alexander Ypsilantis (1792–1828): Greek revolutionary and Russian cavalry officer Alexander Ypsilantis Greek Phanariot noble, Russian cavalry officer and leader of the Filiki Eteria who launched an 1821 uprising in the Danubian Principalities that helped spark the Greek War of Indep…

Alexander Zickler: German striker and coach Alexander Zickler Overview of Alexander Zickler, a German former striker born in 1974 who played for FC Bayern Munich and later in Austria, and who moved into coaching and backroom roles after retir…

Alexandra Bastedo British actress and animal-welfare campaigner, best known as secret agent Sharron Macready in the 1960s TV series The Champions; a long-time vegetarian and animal activist.

Alexandra Burke British singer and performer who rose to prominence after winning The X Factor in 2008; known for her powerful voice, pop and soul recordings, stage work and the 2008 Christmas num…

Alexandra Daddario American actress and model known for roles in the Percy Jackson films, San Andreas, Baywatch and True Detective; born in New York City and active in film and television since the 2…

Alexandra Dahlström: Swedish actress and multilingual performer Alexandra Dahlström Swedish actress Alexandra Dahlström (born 1984) gained international attention for her role in Lukas Moodysson's Show Me Love. She is multilingual and has performed in film, televi…

Alexandra David-Néel Explorer, writer and scholar of Tibetan Buddhism (1868–1969), known for her journeys in Asia, accounts of Tibet, and popularising Tibetan religious practice in Europe.

Alexandra Feodorovna Russian imperial name adopted by foreign-born empresses consort, most notably Charlotte of Prussia (wife of Nicholas I) and Alix of Hesse (wife of Nicholas II), the last empress of…

Alexandra Kosteniuk — Russian Chess Grandmaster and Former Women's World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk Profile of Alexandra Kosteniuk, Russian Grandmaster and 2008–2010 Women's World Chess Champion: career, style, contributions to chess, and brief personal background.

Alexandra of Denmark, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom (1844–1925) Alexandra of Denmark Princess Alexandra of Denmark (1844–1925) was wife of King Edward VII, queen consort from 1901 to 1910, a popular public figure and patron of charities who retired after her husban…

Alexandra Shipp American actress and musician Alexandra Shipp (born 1991) is known for portraying Aaliyah, Kimberly Woodruff, Storm in the X-Men films, and Abby Suso in Love, Simon.

Alexandra Stan: Romanian pop singer behind 'Mr. Saxobeat' Alexandra Stan Overview of Alexandra Stan, a Romanian singer-songwriter known for the international dance-pop hit 'Mr. Saxobeat', her career, musical style, notable releases, and the controversy…

Alexandra Strelchenko Alexandra Ilinichna Strelchenko (1937–2019) was a Ukrainian-born singer and actress best known for performing Russian folk songs, romances and popular songs; she was named People's…

Alexandre Astruc — French film critic, director and proponent of the 'caméra-stylo' Alexandre Astruc Profile of Alexandre Astruc (1923–2016), French critic and director, author of the 'caméra-stylo' idea, contributor to the French New Wave, with key films, influence and legacy.