Biographies

Manuel Busto — French professional road cyclist (1932–2017) Manuel Busto French professional road cyclist from Cransac who rode in six editions of the Tour de France. Active in the mid-20th century, he remained part of the French cycling community until…

Manuel Contreras — Chilean intelligence chief and DINA director Manuel Contreras Chilean army officer who led DINA, the secret police under Augusto Pinochet, later convicted for widespread human rights abuses; served many prison sentences and died in custody in…

Manuel de Ascázubi: Ecuadorian Vice President and Acting President (1802–1876) Manuel de Ascásubi Manuel de Ascázubi (1802–1876) served as Vice President of Ecuador (1847–1851) and acted as President from 10 Oct 1849 to 10 Jun 1850. Born in Guayaquil and died in Quito, he was a…

Manuel de Falla Spanish composer Manuel de Falla (1876–1946) was a leading figure in the revival of Spanish concert music; his ballets, songs, and orchestral works fuse Andalusian folk elements wi…

Manuel de la Torre — Spanish-born American golf teacher and club professional Manuel de la Torre (golfer) Manuel de la Torre (1921–2016) was a Spanish-born American golf professional, long-time head pro at Milwaukee Country Club and a widely respected instructor of tour players and ama…

Manuel De Sica Italian composer (1949–2014) known for film scores and orchestral music; award-winner (Nastro d'Argento, David di Donatello) and recipient of Italy's Commendatore honor.

Manuel Delgado Parker Peruvian media entrepreneur (1936–2019) who founded Grupo RPP, promoted regional radio cooperation, and led Panamericana Televisión in the 1990s.

Manuel Fraga Iribarne — Spanish and Galician politician (1922–2012) Manuel Fraga Iribarne Concise biography of Manuel Fraga Iribarne, a leading conservative figure who served under Franco, helped create Spain's modern right, and governed Galicia as regional president (1…

Manuel Friedrich — German professional football defender Manuel Friedrich Profile of Manuel Friedrich, a German central defender born in Bad Kreuznach (1979). Career overview, club history, playing style, international appearances and notable facts.

Manuel G. Batshaw (1915–2016) — Canadian social worker and child‑welfare reformer Manuel G. Batshaw Manuel G. Batshaw was a Montreal-born social worker whose leadership of inquiries and institutions reshaped child and family services in Quebec; namesake of the Batshaw Youth and F…

Manuel García Ferré — Argentine-Spanish cartoonist and animator Manuel García Ferré Biography and legacy of Manuel García Ferré (1929–2013), creator of Hijitus and leading figure in Argentine children's animation and publishing.

Manuel Jiménez Abalo — Spanish footballer Manuel Jiménez Abalo Manuel Jiménez Abalo (born 27 October 1956) is a former Spanish professional footballer best known for a long club career in Spain and for appearances with the Spain national team.

Manuel Jiménez de Parga: Spanish jurist, educator, minister and diplomat Manuel Jiménez de Parga Biography of Manuel Jiménez de Parga (1929–2014), Spanish legal scholar, university rector, Minister of Labour and Spain’s representative to the ILO, with overview of his career an…

Manuel Jiménez Jiménez (Spanish footballer, born 1964) Manuel Jiménez Jiménez Spanish former footballer and coach, born 21 January 1964. A defender best known for his long association with Sevilla FC, he represented Spain at senior level and later worked as…

Manuel María Borrero — Ecuadorian provisional president (1938) Manuel María Borrero Manuel María Borrero (1883–1975) was an Ecuadorian politician who served as provisional President of Ecuador from 10 August to 1 December 1938 during a period of political instabil…

Manuel Marín — Spanish politician and European statesman Manuel Marín Biography of Manuel Marín, Spanish politician and European Commissioner noted for his role in EU education programmes, acting presidency of the Santer Commission, and leadership in…

Manuel Marinho Alves — Brazilian footballer (1926–1961) Manuel Marinho Alves Manuel Marinho Alves (28 January 1926 – 28 June 1961) was a Brazilian footballer who appeared for the Brazil national team. Documentary records are limited, but he forms part of mi…

Manuel Marulanda (Pedro Antonio Marín): founder and leader of the FARC Manuel Marulanda Biography and context for Manuel Marulanda (Pedro Antonio Marín), known as 'Tirofijo', longtime commander of the FARC guerrilla movement in Colombia and his contested death in 2008…

Manuel Mejuto González — Spanish football referee Manuel Mejuto González Profile of Manuel Mejuto González, a Spanish referee best known for officiating the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final; career overview, background and role in top-level officiating.

Manuel Neuer — German goalkeeper and football captain Manuel Neuer Manuel Neuer (born 27 March 1986) is a German professional goalkeeper known for his sweeping style, shot‑stopping, distribution and leadership for FC Bayern Munich and the Germany…

Manuel Noriega — Panamanian military leader and de facto ruler Manuel Noriega Overview of Manuel Noriega (1938–2017): his rise in Panama's military, rule in the 1980s, ties with foreign intelligence, criminal convictions, imprisonment, return to Panama, and…

Manuel Olivencia — Spanish jurist, academic and organizer of Expo '92 Manuel Olivencia Manuel Olivencia (1929–2018) was a Spanish lawyer, university professor and public servant best known for organizing Seville Expo '92 and for roles in academia, finance and governm…

Manuel Oltra (1922–2015) — Spanish composer and music educator Manuel Oltra Spanish composer and educator Manuel Oltra (1922–2015) directed Barcelona's municipal conservatory and was noted for his work in harmony and counterpoint and for shaping mid-20th-c…

Manuel Ortega (Spanish painter, muralist and stained‑glass artist) Manuel Ortega (painter) Spanish artist Manuel Ortega (1921–2014) was a painter, muralist, sculptor and engraver noted for more than 200 murals and for contemporary stained glass in churches and public bui…

Manuel Pazos — Spanish goalkeeper and mid‑20th century professional footballer Manuel Pazos Overview of Manuel Pazos (1930–2019), a Spanish professional goalkeeper who played for clubs including Celta Vigo, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Hércules and Elche during 1951–1969…

Manuel Pereira da Silva — Portuguese sculptor (1920–2003) Manuel Pereira da Silva Portuguese sculptor from Porto known for abstracted human-figure work and public commissions; honored with Vila Nova de Gaia's Medal of Cultural Merit in 2000.

Manuel Pino: educator and opponent of uranium mining Manuel Pino Manuel Pino is a professor and long-time activist who has publicized the cultural and health impacts of uranium mining and depleted uranium, and received recognition for his anti-n…

Manuel Roxas: First President of the Third Philippine Republic Manuel Roxas Overview of Manuel A. Roxas (1892–1948), his public offices, role in postwar independence, major policies and controversies, and his legacy in Philippine history.

Manuel Sanchís Martínez — Spanish football defender (1938–2017) Manuel Sanchís Martínez Profile of Manuel Sanchís Martínez, Spanish defender for Real Madrid and Spain, father of Manuel Sanchís Hontiyuelo, 1966 World Cup participant and European Cup winner; career over…

Manuel Uribe — Mexican man known for extreme obesity Manuel Uribe Manuel Uribe (1965–2014) was a Mexican man who gained international attention for morbid obesity; once recorded among the heaviest people in the world, he later lost substantial we…

Manuel Velázquez — Spanish footballer and Real Madrid midfielder Manuel Velázquez Brief biography of Manuel Velázquez Villaverde (1943–2016), a Spanish professional footballer best known for his years with Real Madrid, his playing style, club career, internation…

Manuela Sáenz: Revolutionary Figure and Confidante of Simón Bolívar Manuela Saenz Manuela Sáenz (1797–1856) was an Ecuadorian-born revolutionary known for her role in the South American wars of independence and for her partnership with Simón Bolívar. Her life co…

Manuela Schwesig — German politician and Minister‑President of Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania Manuela Schwesig Profile of Manuela Schwesig, SPD politician; her career in state and federal government, policy focus on family and social affairs, and public role since 2017 as Minister‑President…

Many Clouds Many Clouds was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred steeplechaser trained in the UK, best known for winning the Hennessy Gold Cup (2014), the Grand National (2015) and two Cotswold Chases.

Mao Zedong Chinese Communist leader (1893–1976), founding chairman of the People's Republic of China, architect of Maoism and central figure in 20th-century Chinese history whose policies tra…

Marama Fox — New Zealand Māori Party politician Marama Fox Marama Fox is a New Zealand politician who served as a Māori Party list MP and co-leader from 2014 until the party lost parliamentary representation in 2017.

Marat Safin: Russian Grand Slam Champion and Former World No. 1 Marat Safin Overview of Marat Safin, a retired Russian tennis player, two-time Grand Slam champion, former world No. 1, notable for powerful groundstrokes, Davis Cup success and a brief politi…

Marc Chardonnens — Swiss environmental administrator (1960–2020) Marc Chardonnens Swiss civil servant who led cantonal and federal environmental bodies, served as Director of the Federal Office for the Environment (2016–2020), and chaired the conference of envir…

Marc L. Marks (1927–2018) — U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania Marc L. Marks Marc Lincoln Marks was a Republican member of the U.S. House (1977–1983) from Pennsylvania, later nominated to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; born in Farrell…

Marc Morgan: Belgian singer-songwriter and educator Marc Morgan Overview of Marc Wathieu (Marc Morgan), a Belgian singer-songwriter (1962–2020), his music, teaching career at several Belgian arts schools, and cultural legacy.

Marc Platt: American ballet dancer and musical‑theatre performer Marc Platt (dancer) Overview of Marc Platt (born Marcel LePlat), his career as a ballet dancer, musical‑theatre and film performer, notable role in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and his legacy.

Marc Potvin: Canadian ice hockey right winger and coach (1967–2006) Marc Potvin Summary of Marc Potvin’s playing and coaching career: collegiate development, NHL and minor-league service, coaching roles, family connections, and the circumstances and legacy of…

Marc Spitz American music journalist, author and playwright whose criticism and books examined rock, alternative and pop culture; wrote for major magazines and published several books on musi…

Marc van der Linden (born 1964) — Belgian football striker Marc Van Der Linden Profile of Marc van der Linden, Belgian former football striker (born 1964). Career overview, club timeline, international record (19 caps, 9 goals), style and legacy.

Marc-Adélard Tremblay (1922–2014) Marc-Adélard Tremblay Canadian anthropologist and academic leader who taught at Université Laval, served as Dean and President of the Royal Society of Canada, and contributed to the study of Quebec soci…

Marc-Vivien Foé Cameroonian defensive midfielder (1975–2003) who played for Lens, West Ham and Lyon and captained his country; collapsed and died during the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup and is rem…

Marcel Breuer Marcel Lajos Breuer (1902–1981) was a Hungarian-born modernist architect and furniture designer whose Bauhaus training produced iconic tubular-steel chairs and a distinguished mid-…

Marcel Herriot — French Roman Catholic Bishop Marcel Herriot Biography of Marcel Paul Herriot (1934–2017), a French Roman Catholic bishop who served the dioceses of Verdun and Soissons; summary of his life, ministry, and role within the chur…