Biographies

Masato Morishige — Japanese football defender Masato Morishige Masato Morishige (born May 21, 1987) is a Japanese central defender, long-serving club leader primarily with FC Tokyo, and a Japan national team player known for aerial strength an…

Masato Nakae Masato Nakae (1917–1998) was a United States Army soldier and Medal of Honor recipient for actions during World War II. This article summarizes his life, service, and legacy.

Masatoshi Nakayama — Architect of modern Shotokan and JKA leadership Masatoshi Nakayama Japanese Shotokan master who codified modern training, helped found the Japan Karate Association, authored foundational texts, and promoted karate internationally.

Masaya Nakamura (Namco) — founder and pioneer of Japanese amusement games Masaya Nakamura (Namco) Japanese entrepreneur Masaya Nakamura (1925–2017) founded Namco and guided its growth into a major arcade and video game company; he is often called the “father of Pac-Man.”

Masaya Nishitani Masaya Nishitani (西谷 正也, born September 16, 1978) is a former Japanese professional association football player. This article summarizes his identity, career context, and legacy in…

Masayuki Mita Masayuki Mita (born October 5, 1969) is a former Japanese football player. This article summarizes known facts about his background and places his playing career in the wider conte…

Masayuki Okano Masayuki Okano (born 1972) is a retired Japanese footballer best known for scoring the golden goal that qualified Japan for its first World Cup and for his career in Japan's profes…

Masolino da Panicale: early Renaissance painter and collaborator of Masaccio Masolino da Panicale Masolino da Panicale (Tommaso di Cristoforo Fini, c.1383–1447) was an Italian painter bridging Gothic and early Renaissance styles, best known for his Brancacci Chapel frescoes and…

Masoumeh Ebtekar — Iranian politician, scientist and environmentalist Masoumeh Ebtekar Masoumeh Ebtekar (born 1960) is an Iranian politician, journalist and scientist known for her roles in environmental policy, Tehran municipal government and as a prominent female p…

Massimo Marino (1960–2019) — Italian television presenter, publisher and actor Massimo Marino (TV presenter) Profile of Massimo Marino, Rome-born presenter and publisher best known for the ViviRoma magazine and TV show, his film appearances, and his role in local cultural life.

Massimo Mattioli: Italian cartoonist, creator of Cannibale and Squeak the Mouse Massimo Mattioli Massimo Mattioli (1943–2019) was an Italian cartoonist known for the underground magazine Cannibale, the violent parody Squeak the Mouse, the children's character Pinky, and influe…

Massimo Tamburini: Italian motorcycle designer and influence on modern sportbikes Massimo Tamburini Massimo Tamburini (1943–2014) was an influential Italian motorcycle designer associated with Bimota, Cagiva, Ducati and MV Agusta; his work reshaped sportbike styling and engineeri…

Massimo Vignelli Italian modernist designer (1931–2014) known for minimalist graphic, product and environmental design; founder of Vignelli Associates and influential for corporate identity, signag…

Master Hirannaiah (1934–2019): Prominent Kannada theatre and film actor Master Hirannaiah Master Hirannaiah, born in Mysore in 1934, was a celebrated Kannada theatre artist who later appeared in films. Known for a long stage career and memorable supporting film roles, h…

Masudur Rahman Baidya Indian long‑distance swimmer and double amputee who completed historic open‑water crossings including the English Channel, Strait of Gibraltar and Palk Strait; a prominent figure i…

Masuzo Madono Masuzo Madono (真殿 益蔵) was a Japanese footballer who represented the Japan national team. Public records about his life and club career are limited; this article summarizes known fa…

Mata Hari: Dutch Dancer and Accused Spy Mata Hari Biography of Margaretha Geertruida Zelle (Mata Hari): her life as an exotic performer, arrest and execution in 1917 for alleged World War I espionage, and later reassessment after…

Mateja Matevski (1929–2018) Mateja Matevski Macedonian poet, critic, essayist and translator. Key figure in 20th-century Macedonian letters, editor and festival organizer, known for shaping modern Macedonian poetry and liter…

Mateo Alemán — Spanish novelist and author of Guzmán de Alfarache Mateo Alemán Spanish Golden Age novelist (c.1547–c.1615), best known for the picaresque Guzmán de Alfarache and for a short treatise on Spanish orthography; active in Spain and later in Mexico.

Mateo Flecha (El Viejo): Renaissance composer of the ensalada Mateo Flecha Catalan composer Mateo Flecha (1481–1553), known as El Viejo, wrote the Spanish Renaissance ensalada—polyphonic vocal pieces that mix languages, styles and humour. His nephew publi…

Mathew Beard: American supercentenarian and Spanish–American War claimant Mathew Beard Mathew Beard (c.1870–1985) was an American farmer and longevity claimant who died at age 114. His life is noted for early documentation of extreme old age and a claimed tie to the…

Mathew Brady: 19th‑Century American Photographer and Civil War Documentarian Mathew Brady Mathew Brady (1822–1896) was a leading American portrait photographer and pioneer of battlefield photography. He organized documentary campaigns during the Civil War and influenced…

Mathilde Krim: Medical Researcher and AIDS Research Advocate Mathilde Krim Italian-American medical researcher and activist who founded amfAR and championed AIDS research and public awareness; awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000.

Matija Barl (1940–2018) Matija Barl Slovene actor, producer and translator best known for portraying Kekec and for founding the influential music festival Slovenska popevka in 1962.

Matilda of Boulogne (1105–1152), Queen of England and Countess of Boulogne Matilda of Boulogne Matilda of Boulogne was queen consort to King Stephen and Countess of Boulogne. A politically active consort during the civil war known as The Anarchy, she supported her husband's…

Matilda of Flanders (c. 1031–1083) — Duchess of Normandy and Queen of England Matilda of Flanders Medieval noblewoman, wife of William the Conqueror; a political partner, regent in Normandy, founder of religious houses at Caen, and mother of heirs including Robert Curthose, Wil…

Matilda of Scotland (Edith) — Queen Consort of Henry I Matilda of Scotland Matilda of Scotland (c.1080–1118), born Edith, was queen consort to Henry I, linking the Anglo-Saxon royal house to the Norman monarchy and mother of Empress Matilda.

Matilde Camus — Spanish poet and non-fiction writer Matilde Camus Matilde Camus (1919–2012) was a Spanish poet and essayist from Santander, Cantabria, whose lyric work often reflects landscape, memory and regional identity across a long 20th-cent…

Matoug Adam — Libyan politician, civil servant and poet (1926–2019) Matoug Adam Matoug Adam was a Libyan civil servant, minister and poet. He served as Minister of Tourism (1968–1969) and as the last Interior Minister of the Kingdom of Libya before the 1969 co…

Matsukata Kōjirō: Japanese businessman and collector of Western art Matsukata Kojiro Matsukata Kōjirō (1865–1950) was a Japanese businessman whose extensive collection of French Impressionist and modern art became the foundation of Tokyo's National Museum of Wester…

Matsukata Masayoshi Matsukata Masayoshi (1835–1924) was a leading Meiji-period statesman and finance reformer who served twice as Japan's prime minister and carried out fiscal and monetary policies th…

Matsuo Bashō: Life, Poetry and Lasting Influence of Japan’s Haiku Master Matsuo Basho Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694) perfected the short seasonal poem and the poetic travel diary, blending classical learning, observation of nature and concise imagery that shaped Japanese…

Matt Baker: Golden Age illustrator and pioneer of good girl art Matt Baker Matt Baker (1921–1959) was an American comic-book artist famed for his elegant figure work, his Phantom Lady art, and the early picture novel It Rhymes with Lust; inducted into the…

Matt Batts: American Major League Baseball Catcher (1921–2013) Matt Batts Overview of Matt Batts, a Major League Baseball catcher who played 1947–1956 for five American clubs, his career highlights, playing style, teams, and later life.

Sir Matt Busby Matt Busby Scottish footballer and manager who transformed Manchester United, built the 'Busby Babes', survived the 1958 Munich air disaster and later led United to European Cup success.

Matt Cappotelli Matt Cappotelli (1979–2018) was an American professional wrestler and Tough Enough III co-winner who worked in Ohio Valley Wrestling. He later battled glioblastoma and died in 2018…

Matt Hobden — English cricketer (1993–2016) Matt Hobden Matthew Edward Hobden was an English fast‑medium bowler who played for Cardiff MCCU and Sussex. Born in Eastbourne, he died in an accidental fall in Forres, Scotland, at age 22; re…

Matt Keough Matt Keough (1955–2020), American right-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1977–1986 and continued his career in Japan with the Hanshin Tigers (1987–1990).

Matt "Guitar" Murphy (1929–2018) — American blues guitarist Matt Murphy Renowned electric blues guitarist known for sideman work with Memphis Slim, Muddy Waters and the Blues Brothers; influential accompanist, session player, and solo bandleader who pe…

Matt Skiba: Singer, Guitarist and Songwriter (Alkaline Trio, Blink-182) Matt Skiba Matt Skiba (born 1976) is an American musician, co‑founder and frontman of Alkaline Trio and later guitarist/vocalist for Blink-182. Known for a distinctive voice, dark lyrical the…

Matt Stajan — Canadian professional ice hockey centre Matt Stajan Profile of Matt Stajan, a Canadian former NHL centre: career, playing style, teams, notable transactions, and personal life including his family and community ties.

Matt Vogel — American Puppeteer and Performer of Kermit and Big Bird Matt Vogel Profile of Matt Vogel, an American puppeteer known for his work with Sesame Street, the Muppets and Oobi, who became lead performer of Kermit the Frog and Big Bird in the 2010s.

Matthew Buckland Profile of Matthew Buckland (1974–2019), South African internet entrepreneur and digital publisher; founder of Creative Spark and Burn Media, former Mail & Guardian online head and…

Matthew C. Perry (1794–1858) Matthew C. Perry U.S. Navy commodore who promoted steam propulsion, reformed naval education, and led the 1853–54 expedition that opened Japan with the Convention of Kanagawa.

Matthew Charlton: Australian Labor leader and parliamentarian (1866–1948) Matthew Charlton Biographical overview of Matthew Charlton (1866–1948), Australian Labor leader and parliamentarian; early life, union roots, service in state and federal parliaments, leadership of…

Matthew Faber (1973–2020) — American film and television actor Matthew Faber Overview of the actor Matthew Faber, his career in independent and mainstream films and television, notable roles, and his legacy in 1990s–2000s American cinema.

Matthew Henson: African American Arctic explorer and longtime assistant to Robert Peary Matthew Henson Matthew Henson (1866–1955) was an African American explorer who accompanied Robert Peary on Arctic expeditions and is credited by some with reaching the vicinity of the North Pole…

Matthew Hopkins, the self-styled 'Witchfinder' of 17th-century England Matthew Hopkins Matthew Hopkins (c.1620–1647) was an English witch-hunter whose methods and pamphlet fueled a wave of prosecutions in the mid-1640s, mainly across eastern counties during the Engli…