Biographies

John Roberts (actor) American comedian and actor (born 1971), best known as the voice of Linda Belcher on Bob's Burgers. Works across stand-up, sketch, voice acting and television with a focus on chara…

John Roberts (Welsh footballer) Welsh defender and manager John Griffiths Roberts (1946–2016) played professionally from 1964–1983 for several English and Welsh clubs and represented Wales internationally; later…

John Robertson (Canadian Olympic sailor) John Robertson (Olympic sailor) Canadian sailor John Norman Frank Robertson (1929–2020) represented Canada at the 1948 and 1952 Olympics in the Star and Dragon keelboat classes; overview of his life, boats, and l…

John Rocker John Rocker is a retired American Major League Baseball relief pitcher, best known for his power fastball with the Atlanta Braves and for a widely publicized controversy that affec…

John Rodriguez (Canadian politician) John Rodriguez John Rodriguez (1937–2017) was a Guyanese-born Canadian New Democratic Party politician who served as MP for Nickel Belt and later as mayor of Greater Sudbury, Ontario.

John Rolfe (c. 1585–1622) John Rolfe English settler known for establishing marketable tobacco cultivation in Virginia and for his marriage to Pocahontas, which had political and cultural significance in early colonia…

John M. Roll — U.S. District Judge and victim of the 2011 Tucson shooting John Roll John McCarthy Roll (1947–2011) was a United States federal judge in Arizona, known for a long public-service career and killed while protecting constituents at a 2011 Tucson commun…

John Roper, Baron Roper (1935–2016) John Roper, Baron Roper British politician who served as MP for Farnworth, switched from Labour Co-operative to the SDP, and later became a Liberal Democrat life peer and senior House of Lords officer.

John Rosbrugh (c.1714–1777), Presbyterian Minister and Revolutionary War Chaplain John Rosbrugh John Rosbrugh, a College of New Jersey graduate and ordained Presbyterian minister, led a Pennsylvania militia company in 1776 and is often regarded as the first U.S. chaplain kill…

John Ross (Cherokee chief) John Ross (1790–1866) was the long-serving Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation who led legal and political resistance to forced removal and guided the nation through removal and…

John Ross Robertson (1841–1918) — Canadian publisher, politician and philanthropist John Ross Robertson Canadian newspaper publisher and civic leader from Toronto who served as an MP, led amateur hockey governance, and supported cultural and charitable causes.

John Rowlands (Welsh-language author and literary scholar) John Rowlands (author) Welsh-language novelist and academic (1938–2015), author of the early novel Lle bo'r gwenyn (1960) and a professor of Welsh literature known for his influence on post‑war Welsh wri…

John Ruskin: Victorian art critic, writer, and social reformer John Ruskin John Ruskin (1819–1900) was a leading Victorian art critic, writer and social thinker whose works on art, architecture, nature and political economy influenced the Arts and Crafts…

John Rusling Block American politician and agricultural administrator who served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1981 to 1986 and later worked as an agricultural consultant and lobbyist.

John Russell, 1st Earl Russell British Whig and Liberal statesman (1792–1878), two-time prime minister and leading advocate of parliamentary reform who helped shape mid-19th century British liberalism.

John Rutledge: South Carolina statesman and early U.S. jurist John Rutledge John Rutledge (1739–1800) was a South Carolina leader, a delegate and signer of the U.S. Constitution, an associate justice and briefly chief justice of the Supreme Court, and an i…

John Rutter — English composer, conductor and choral arranger John Rutter Overview of John Rutter, an English composer and choral conductor known for accessible sacred and secular choral music, major works, career highlights, style, recordings and influe…

John S. McCain Jr. United States Navy admiral who served from World War II through the Vietnam era, commanded U.S. Pacific Command, and was the father of Senator John McCain.

John S. McCain Sr. (1884–1945) — U.S. Navy admiral of the Pacific campaign John S. McCain Sr. U.S. Navy admiral John S. McCain Sr. led carrier and task force commands in the Pacific during World War II and was the patriarch of a multi‑generation military and political famil…

John Saldivar (Belizean politician) John Saldivar Belizean United Democratic Party politician, MP for Belmopan since 2008 and former Minister of National Security and Defence (2012–2018). Former Area Representative for Cayo South…

John William Salt: Anglican bishop and Bishop of St Helena (1999–2011) John Salt (bishop) Biography of John William Salt OGS (1941–2017), his ministry from ordination to service as Bishop of St Helena, later retirement in the UK, and his role within the Anglican traditi…

John Saxon (1936–2020) John Saxon American actor and martial artist known for a six-decade career across Westerns, horror and action films; notable for Enter the Dragon and A Nightmare on Elm Street.

John Scaddan: Western Australia's young reformist premier and controversial state-owner John Scaddan John Scaddan (1876–1934) was Western Australia’s tenth premier, noted for his early rise to power, advocacy of state-owned enterprises, shifting party allegiances during WWI and in…

John Schella: Canadian hockey defenceman in the NHL and WHA John Schella Overview of John Edward Schella (1947–2018), a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the NHL and WHA, his career path, playing style, and legacy.

John Schlesinger — British film director (1926–2003) John Schlesinger British director John Schlesinger (1926–2003) made influential films from the 1960s onward, blending social realism and Hollywood work; he won an Academy Award for Midnight Cowboy…

John Schofield (Union general and Army leader) John Schofield John Schofield (1831–1906) was a Union general who served mainly in the Western Theater, later became U.S. Secretary of War and Commanding General of the U.S. Army, and promoted pr…

John P. Sears (1940–2020): American Republican political strategist and attorney John Sears (political strategist) John P. Sears was an American attorney and Republican political strategist who served as Deputy Counsel to President Nixon, advised presidential campaigns including Nixon and Reaga…

John Seigenthaler: American Journalist, Editor, and First Amendment Advocate John Seigenthaler John Seigenthaler (1927–2014) was an influential American journalist, editor and political aide known for editorial leadership at The Tennessean and long-standing advocacy for Firs…

John Shakespeare (c.1530–1601): Stratford glover and municipal officer John Shakespeare Father of William Shakespeare; a Stratford-upon-Avon glover who held local office, experienced later financial decline, and whose family background helped shape his son's social st…

John Sherman Cooper — Kentucky senator, jurist, and diplomat John Sherman Cooper Republican statesman John Sherman Cooper (1901–1991) was a Kentucky jurist, three‑term U.S. senator and two‑time ambassador whose independent style shaped mid‑20th century American…

John Shifflett — American Jazz Double Bassist, Composer and Educator John Shifflett Biography of John Shifflett (1953–2017), a U.S. jazz double bassist, arranger, composer and teacher who taught at San Jose State University and performed with university big bands…

John Shirley-Quirk English bass-baritone known for his performances and recordings of Benjamin Britten's vocal works; member of the English Opera Group (1964–1976). Born Liverpool 1931, died Bath 201…

John Shortland (1769–1810): Royal Navy officer and discoverer of the Hunter River John Shortland John Shortland was an English naval officer who served in the Royal Navy, explored parts of New South Wales and charted the Hunter River area. He later returned to active service a…

John Shrapnel: English actor (1942–2020) John Shrapnel John Shrapnel was an English character actor whose long career on stage, television and film included supporting roles in 101 Dalmatians, Gladiator and Troy.

John Silver (early Genesis drummer) John Silver Jonathan 'John' Silver (born 1950) was an early drummer for Genesis who played on the band's first album and appears on later archival releases; he left the group in 1969 and later…

John Simm — English actor and musician John Simm Concise encyclopedic profile of John Simm, covering his early life, television, film and stage career, music activity, notable roles and recognition in British drama.

John Simon (critic) John Simon (1925–2019) was a Serbian-born American critic and author known for incisive, often acerbic reviews of theatre, film, literature and music across a long career in New Yo…

John Singer Sargent: Life, Style, and Legacy of a Leading Portrait Painter John Singer Sargent Overview of John Singer Sargent (1856–1925): biography, artistic style, major works and controversies, travels and productivity, and his influence on portraiture and watercolor.

John Singleton American filmmaker known for Boyz n the Hood; first African American and youngest Oscar Best Director nominee; influential director, writer and producer depicting urban life and Af…

John Skehel British virologist Sir John Skehel (born 1941), known for influenza research and long tenure as Director of the National Institute for Medical Research; Emeritus scientist at the F…

John Slattery: Actor, Director and Producer John Slattery Overview of John Slattery’s life and career, best known for Roger Sterling on Mad Men; covers background, major roles, directing work, acting style, awards and selected credits.

John Smith (explorer) English soldier, explorer, and writer who helped found Jamestown, explored the Chesapeake and New England, and produced influential maps and accounts of early American colonization…

John Smith (Labour Party leader, 1938–1994) John Smith (Labour Party leader) John Smith (1938–1994) was a British Labour politician and Queen's Counsel who led the UK Labour Party from 1992 until his sudden death in 1994, remembered for competence and elect…

John Smoltz John Smoltz is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher noted for a long career with the Atlanta Braves, a 1996 Cy Young Award, a rare starter–closer career arc, and Hall o…

John Snow: Pioneer of Epidemiology and Anaesthesia John Snow English physician John Snow (1813–1858) traced a cholera outbreak to contaminated water, helped reform urban sanitation, and advanced anaesthetic practice — foundational figure in…

John Solomon (rugby union) — Australian international and Wallabies captain John Solomon (rugby union) Australian rugby union international who played 14 Tests for the Wallabies (1949–1955), captained tours to New Zealand and South Africa, and was inducted into the Rugby Australia H…

John Jackson Sparkman John Sparkman American Democratic politician from Alabama (1899–1985). Long-serving U.S. Representative and Senator, and the Democratic Party’s vice-presidential nominee in 1952 on Adlai Stevens…

Sir John Sparrow David Thompson John Sparrow David Thompson Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the fourth Prime Minister of Canada (1892–1894); noted for his legal career, commitment to codifying criminal law and his sudden death…