Biographies

Martin Gilbert: British historian and chronicler of the Holocaust and modern history Martin Gilbert Martin Gilbert (1936–2015) was a British historian and honorary fellow of Merton College, Oxford, author of more than eighty books on the Holocaust, Jewish history and modern polit…

Martin Grüner (1929–2018), German Free Democratic Party politician Martin Grüner Martin Grüner (1929–2018) was a German politician from the Free Democratic Party (FDP). He served as Parliamentary Secretary at the Federal Economics Ministry (1972–1987) and at th…

Martin Hinteregger Austrian professional central defender, developed at FC Red Bull Salzburg; played in the German Bundesliga with FC Augsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt; known for aerial strength, tack…

Martin Hoffman — Czech‑born British bridge player and Holocaust survivor Martin Hoffman Martin Hoffman (1929–2018) was a Czech-born British professional contract bridge player, teacher and author who survived the Holocaust and later became a leading figure in British…

Martin Khor: Malaysian Economist, Journalist and Advocate for the Global South Martin Khor Martin Khor (1951–2020) was a Malaysian journalist and economist who led the South Centre, directed the Third World Network and championed development, trade justice and South–Sout…

Martin Lauer — German Olympic sprinter Martin Lauer West German sprinter Martin Lauer (1937–2019) won Olympic gold in the 4×100 m relay at the 1960 Rome Games. Born in Cologne, he competed for the United Team of Germany and is remem…

Martin Lundström: Swedish Olympic Cross‑Country Skier Martin Lundström Martin Lundström (1918–2016) was a leading Swedish cross‑country skier who won two gold medals at the 1948 Winter Olympics and helped secure Sweden's relay title at the 1950 World…

Martin Luther German theologian and former monk whose 16th-century critiques of the Catholic Church sparked the Protestant Reformation and founded Lutheranism.

Martin McGuinness: Irish republican politician and former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness Overview of Martin McGuinness (1950–2017), his early IRA involvement, role in Sinn Féin and the Northern Ireland peace process, positions held, controversies and his death from amy…

Martin Nag — Norwegian literary historian, critic and writer Martin Nag Martin Nag (1927–2015) was a Norwegian literary historian, critic, poet, essayist, translator and biographer, noted for works such as Uro, Rød lørdag (1976) and Steingjerde (1991).

Martin Niemöller: German pastor, Confessing Church leader, and author of 'First they came...' Martin Niemöller Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) was a German Protestant pastor who opposed Nazi control of the churches, helped found the Confessing Church, was imprisoned in concentration camps, and…

Martin O'Neill Northern Irish former professional footballer and manager (b. 1952), noted for spells with Leicester City, Celtic, Aston Villa, Sunderland and the Republic of Ireland; respected fo…

Martin Olav Sabo Longtime Minnesota politician (1938–2016), DFL U.S. Representative for Minneapolis' 5th District (1979–2007), known for work on federal budgeting, urban policy and transportation;…

Martin Peters: English midfielder and 1966 World Cup winner Martin Peters Martin Peters (1943–2019) was an English footballer known for his role in England's 1966 World Cup victory, club success with West Ham and Tottenham, and later public battle with A…

Martin Roth (museum director) German museum director (1955–2017) who led the Dresden State Art Collections and the Victoria and Albert Museum; known for public engagement, international partnerships and moderni…

Martin Ryle — British radio astronomer and Nobel laureate Martin Ryle Martin Ryle developed aperture synthesis and advanced radio interferometry, enabling precise maps of faint radio sources and studies of distant galaxies; he shared the 1974 Nobel P…

Martin Špegelj Croatian military officer and politician who helped organize Croatia’s armed forces during the break-up of Yugoslavia; served as Defence Minister, army chief and inspector-general…

Martin Spellman (1925–2020) — American child actor and businessman Martin Spellman Child actor of the late 1930s and 1940s who appeared in Boys Town and other films before leaving Hollywood for a business career; remembered for his work as a juvenile performer an…

Martin van der Borgh (1934–2018) – Dutch road cyclist Martin van der Borgh Dutch road racer active in the 1950s–60s, 1954 World Championships bronze medallist and stage winner in major European races including the Tour de France.

Martin (Maerten) van Heemskerck: Dutch Renaissance painter and draftsman Martin van Heemskerck Overview of Maerten van Heemskerck (1498–1574), his training, Roman studies, major paintings and prints, and his influence on Northern Renaissance art and antiquarian drawing.

Martin West (actor) American actor Martin West (born Martin Weixelbaum, 1937–2019) appeared in film, television and stage; best known for roles in Assault on Precinct 13, Freckles and long-running soa…

Martina Navratilova: Career, Records and Legacy Martina Navratilova Comprehensive overview of Martina Navratilova: her origins, playing style, major records, rivalry with Chris Evert, activism, personal life and lasting influence on tennis.

Martinho Lutero Galati — Brazilian choral conductor, educator and author Martinho Lutero Galati Biography of Martinho Lutero Galati (1953–2020), a Brazilian choral conductor, director of Coral Paulistano, professor and author, known for leadership in choral music; died of COV…

Márton Fülöp Hungarian goalkeeper Márton Fülöp (1983–2015) played for clubs across Hungary, England and Greece and earned 24 caps for Hungary. He is remembered for his time in the English leagu…

Marty Balin: Singer-songwriter and founder of Jefferson Airplane Marty Balin American singer-songwriter Martyn "Marty" Balin (1942–2018) co-founded Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship, wrote and sang key songs of the 1960s San Francisco rock scene, an…

Marty Barry: NHL centre, two-time Stanley Cup champion and Hall of Famer Marty Barry Martin J. Barry (1904–1969), nicknamed 'Goal-a-Game', was a Canadian NHL centre who played 12 seasons, won back-to-back Stanley Cups with Detroit and was inducted into the Hockey H…

Marty Burke — Canadian NHL defenceman and coach Marty Burke Overview of Martin 'Marty' Burke (1905–1968), his NHL career with multiple clubs, two Stanley Cup championships with Montreal, later coaching in Western Canada, and his playing sty…

Marty Napoleon: American Jazz Pianist and Sideman for Louis Armstrong Marty Napoleon Overview of Marty Napoleon (1921–2015), an American jazz pianist noted for replacing Earl Hines in Louis Armstrong’s All Stars, his collaborations, style, background, and legacy.

Marty Schottenheimer: American football coach and former player Marty Schottenheimer Marty Schottenheimer (1943–2021) was a prominent NFL head coach and former player, known for disciplined, run-first teams, many regular-season wins and a reputation for postseason…

Marty Sklar: Disney Imagineer, Creative Executive and Historian Marty Sklar Marty Sklar (1934–2017) was a longtime creative leader at Walt Disney Imagineering, helping design and plan Disney parks worldwide and documenting the studio's creative process and…

Martynas Andriukaitis (1981–2014) Martynas Andriukaitis Lithuanian professional basketball power forward who played across Europe from 2001–2013; remembered for his 2001 domestic titles and a tragic death in 2014 that drew national atte…

Martyr: definition, history, and cultural significance Martyr A martyr is someone who suffers or dies for a belief, faith, or cause. This article explains the term's origin, religious and political uses, historical examples, and ethical debat…

Marujita Díaz: Spanish singer and film actress Marujita Díaz Spanish singer and actress (1932–2015), known for mid-20th-century popular song and cinema and as presenter of the television variety show Música y estrellas.

Marva Collins — Educator and Founder of Westside Preparatory School Marva Collins American educator who opened Westside Preparatory School in Chicago in 1975 and popularized a classical, Socratic approach to teaching students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Marvel Rea — American silent-film actress and comedian Marvel Rea Marvel Luciel Rea (1901–1937) was an American silent-film actress and comedian from Nebraska. She worked in early comedy shorts; contemporary accounts report her death in 1937 afte…

Marvin Hamlisch American composer and conductor known for film scores and Broadway work, winner of major awards including Academy, Emmy, Grammy, Tony and the Pulitzer Prize.

Marvin Kaplan: American character and voice actor Marvin Kaplan Profile of Marvin Kaplan (1927–2016), an American character actor and voice artist best known as the voice of Choo-Choo in Top Cat and for supporting roles in mid‑20th century film…

Marvin Lewis (American football coach) Marvin Lewis Marvin Lewis is an American football coach best known for leading the Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2018) after earlier defensive coordinator roles with the Baltimore Ravens and Washing…

Marvin Minsky: Pioneer of Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Theory Marvin Minsky American cognitive scientist and AI pioneer, co‑founder of MIT's AI laboratory, author of influential works (Perceptrons, The Society of Mind) and 1969 Turing Award laureate.

Marvin Panch: American NASCAR driver and 1961 Daytona 500 winner Marvin Panch Profile of Marvin Panch (1926–2015), American stock car racer who won the 1961 Daytona 500 and 17 NASCAR Grand National events during a 17-year career.

Mary Akrami — Afghan women's rights activist and shelter founder Mary Akrami Mary Akrami is an Afghan activist who founded the Afghan Women Skills Development Center and a Kabul women's shelter; she received the International Women of Courage Award in 2007.

Mary Alden (1883–1946) Mary Alden American stage and screen actress of the silent and early sound eras; appeared on Broadway and in films such as The Birth of a Nation (1915) and Ladies of the Mob (1928).

Mary Anderson (American actress, 1918–2014) Mary Anderson American film and television actress Mary Anderson (1918–2014) appeared in over thirty films and dozens of TV productions; she is best known for playing Maybelle Merriweather in Go…

Mary Ann Lee — Early American Ballerina and Teacher Mary Ann Lee Mary Ann Lee (1823–1899) was one of the first professional American ballerinas, noted for introducing Giselle to U.S. audiences. She performed, taught, and helped shape 19th-centur…

Mary Anna Custis Lee Wife of Confederate general Robert E. Lee, mistress of Arlington House, and guardian of a prominent American family legacy during the 19th century.

Mary Boleyn: English courtier, sister of Anne Boleyn Mary Boleyn Mary Boleyn (c.1499–1543), older sister of Anne Boleyn, was an English courtier whose life at Henry VIII's court and later privacy have generated debate, speculation about paternit…

Mary Chapin Carpenter American singer-songwriter blending country, folk, and Americana. Rising to prominence in the late 1980s, a five-time Grammy winner known for literate storytelling and several 1990…

Mary Daly: Radical Feminist Theologian and Critic of Patriarchal Religion Mary Daly Mary Daly, American radical feminist theologian and philosopher, known for trenchant critiques of patriarchal religion and proposals for women-centered alternatives; influential au…