Biographies

Mehmed V (Mehmed Reşâd) — Ottoman Sultan and Caliph, 1909–1918 Mehmed V Mehmed V reigned as the 35th Ottoman Sultan and Caliph from 1909 to 1918. His term was largely ceremonial amid constitutional change, wars that shrank the empire, and World War I u…

Mehrdad Oladi — Iranian football striker (1985–2016) Mehrdad Oladi Mehrdad Oladi (1985–2016) was an Iranian forward noted for his goal-scoring with Malavan, a Hazfi Cup finalist and a brief member of Esteghlal; remembered for finishing as Malavan'…

Mehrdad Pahlbod: Iranian cultural minister and royal family member Mehrdad Pahlbod Mehrdad Pahlbod (1917–2018) was an Iranian politician who served as Minister of Culture and Arts (1964–1978), noted for promoting cultural institutions and for his marriage into th…

Mehriban Aliyeva: Azerbaijani physician, politician and cultural patron Mehriban Aliyeva Profile of Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice‑President and First Lady of Azerbaijan, physician and head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, summarizing her roles, background, and public ac…

Meir Banai: Israeli singer-songwriter (1961–2017) Meir Banai Meir Banai (1961–2017) was an Israeli singer-songwriter who blended pop, rock and soul with Jewish liturgical themes across ten albums, best known for his 2007 record Shma Koli.

Meir Dagan Israeli military officer and intelligence chief (1945–2016). Directed the Mossad from 2002 to 2011 and later became an outspoken voice on security and public policy.

Meir Einstein (1951–2017) — Israeli sports broadcaster Meir Einstein Meir Einstein was a prominent Israeli sports commentator and radio/television presenter, known for decades of coverage of football and basketball. Born in Herzliya, he worked at Ko…

Meir Har-Zion: Israeli Unit 101 commando and early special-operations figure Meir Har-Zion Profile of Meir Har-Zion (1934–2014), an Israeli Unit 101 commando whose raids, tactics and reputation shaped the development and legacy of Israel’s early special-operations forces…

Meir Pa'il: Israeli Military Officer, Historian and Politician Meir Pa'il Biography of Meir Pa'il (1926–2015), an Israeli colonel, Knesset member and military historian from Jerusalem, with overview of his career, writings and legacy.

Meir Rosenne: Israeli diplomat and legal adviser Meir Rosenne Meir Rosenne (1931–2015) was an Israeli lawyer and diplomat, Legal Adviser to the Foreign Ministry (1971–79), ambassador to France (1979–83) and the United States (1983–87), later…

Meir Shamgar (1925–2019) Meir Shamgar Israeli jurist and former military officer Meir Shamgar served as Chief Justice of Israel's Supreme Court (1983–1995). A former Irgun member, he helped shape modern Israeli constit…

Mel Aull — Canadian football player (1928–2019) Mel Aull Mel Aull was a Canadian football player from Hamilton, Ontario. He played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Ottawa Rough Riders and Saskatchewan Roughriders and was a member of the 1951…

Mel Bartholomew — Creator of Square Foot Gardening Mel Bartholomew Mel Bartholomew (1931–2016) devised Square Foot Gardening, a modular raised-bed method. He popularized it through a best-selling book and a long-running TV series, promoting effici…

Mel Carnahan: Missouri Governor, 1934–2000 Mel Carnahan Mel Carnahan was an American lawyer and Democratic politician who served as Missouri's governor (1993–2000). He died in a 2000 plane crash and was posthumously elected to the U.S.…

Mel Clark (1926–2014) — American Major League Baseball outfielder Mel Clark Overview of Melvin E. Clark, an MLB outfielder who played in the 1950s for the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers; education, career highlights, and biographical notes.

Mel Farr — American football player and businessman Mel Farr Overview of Mel Farr, a UCLA alumnus and former Detroit Lions running back who later became an automobile-dealership entrepreneur; his career, community role and later health legac…

Mel Hurtig: Canadian Publisher, Author and Political Activist Mel Hurtig Mel Hurtig (1932–2016) was a Canadian publisher and writer, founder of Hurtig Publishers and The Canadian Encyclopedia, a cultural leader and outspoken political activist honored a…

Mel Hutchins (1928–2018) — American professional basketball player Mel Hutchins American NBA player (1928–2018) who played from 1951 to 1958 for the Milwaukee Hawks, Fort Wayne Pistons and New York Knicks. Born in Sacramento; died in Encinitas from Alzheimer's…

Mel Lopez Profile of Gemiliano “Mel” C. Lopez Jr., Filipino politician who served as Manila mayor and as a member of the Batasang Pambansa; overview of his career, historical context, and le…

Mel Metcalfe — American Sound Engineer and Academy Award Nominee Mel Metcalfe Mel Metcalfe is an American sound engineer best known for three Academy Award nominations for Best Sound: Star Trek IV, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. He is recognized for film…

Mel Patton: American sprinter and two-time 1948 Olympic champion Mel Patton Overview of Mel Patton (1924–2014), nicknamed "World's Fastest Human", an American sprinter who won two gold medals at the 1948 Olympics; his career, background, and legacy.

Mel Ramos: American Pop-Influenced Figurative Painter Mel Ramos Mel Ramos (1935–2018) combined pin-up nudes, comic-book heroes and commercial products into Pop Art–informed figurative paintings notable for glossy realism and provocative imagery…

Mel Stottlemyre American Major League Baseball pitcher and longtime pitching coach; five-time All-Star as a player and five-time World Series champion as a coach.

Mélanie Laurent: French actress, director and singer Mélanie Laurent Profile of Mélanie Laurent, covering her early life, acting career, directing and music, notable roles and recognition, and her public image and influences.

Melanmai Ponnusamy Tamil writer and journalist (1951–2017) known for short stories and columns that depicted rural life and social issues from a Marxist perspective.

Melinda Clarke American actress Melinda Clarke (born April 24, 1969) is best known for television work, notably Fiona on Days of Our Lives, Julie Cooper on The O.C., and Amanda on Nikita.

Melissa Bell (1964–2017) — English soul and R&B singer Melissa Bell (singer) English soul and R&B singer, best known as a lead vocalist with Soul II Soul, founder of the band Soul Explosion, and mother of Alexandra Burke. Active as a backing singer for majo…

Melky Cabrera — Dominican Major League Outfielder Melky Cabrera Profile of Melky Cabrera, a Dominican-born professional baseball outfielder, his career path across several MLB teams, playing style, notable events and legacy.

Mell Lazarus: Creator of Miss Peach and Momma Mell Lazarus American cartoonist Mell Lazarus (1927–2016) created the long-running comic strips Miss Peach and Momma, served as president of the National Cartoonists Society, wrote fiction and…

Melvin Franklin Melvin Franklin (1942–1995) was the deep-voiced bass singer and long-time member of Motown's The Temptations, known for his low vocal contributions, stage presence, and decades-lon…

Melvin H. Evans — First Elected Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands Melvin H. Evans Melvin H. Evans (1917–1984) was the first elected governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the first Black person to hold that office. A Republican, he served from January 1970 to J…

Melvin Turpin: Kentucky Star and 1980s NBA Center Melvin Turpin Biography of Melvin Turpin, a standout University of Kentucky center who played in the NBA and briefly in Spain, remembered for his collegiate achievements, professional struggles,…

Menachem Friedman Israeli sociologist Menachem Friedman (1936–2020), Emeritus Professor at Bar-Ilan University, specialized in the sociology of religion, Haredi society, relations between religious…

Menachem Mendel Taub — Kaliv Rebbe and Holocaust survivor Menachem Mendel Taub Menachem Mendel Taub (1923–2019) was a Romanian-born Hasidic rebbe who rebuilt the Kaliv court in Israel after the Holocaust and dedicated much of his life to recording survivors'…

Menahem Degani — Israeli basketball player and 1952 Olympian Menahem Degani Menahem Degani (1927–2018) was an Israeli basketball player who represented Israel at the 1952 Summer Olympics. Born and deceased in Tel Aviv, he was among Israel’s earliest Olympi…

Menashe Kadishman: Israeli Sculptor and Painter Menashe Kadishman Overview of Menashe Kadishman (1932–2015), noted Israeli sculptor and painter known for metalwork and his iconic colorful sheep paintings, public installations and the 1995 Israel…

Mencius (Mengzi): Life, Thought, and Influence Mencius Mencius (Mengzi) was a major Confucian thinker of the Warring States period who argued for the innate goodness of human nature, moral cultivation, and the responsibilities of ruler…

Menelaus: King of Sparta and a Central Figure of the Trojan Cycle Menelaus Menelaus, son of Atreus and Aerope and brother of Agamemnon, is the Spartan king whose wife Helen and the events around her sparked the Trojan War in Greek epic and myth.

Menelik II, Emperor of Ethiopia (1889–1913) Menelik II Menelik II modernized Ethiopia, expanded its territory, and secured independence at the 1896 Battle of Adwa; he reigned as emperor from 1889 until 1913.

Menes: The Traditional Unifier of Ancient Egypt and the Question of Identity Menes Menes is the name given in later tradition to the first ruler who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Modern scholarship debates whether Menes was Narmer, Hor-Aha, or a composite figure.

Mercè Rodoreda — Catalan novelist (1908–1983) Mercè Rodoreda Mercè Rodoreda (1908–1983) was a Catalan novelist whose novels and short stories explore memory, exile, and the inner lives of women, and who became a central figure in modern Cata…

Mercedes de Acosta American poet, playwright and novelist (1893–1968). Noted for stage work, poetry, a novel with lesbian themes and a frank memoir that linked her to early 20th-century theatrical an…

Mercedes McCambridge American actress Mercedes McCambridge (1916–2004), Oscar winner for All the King's Men, noted for powerful radio work, distinctive voice and memorable supporting film roles.

Mercedes Salisachs: life and literary work Mercedes Salisachs Spanish novelist Mercedes Salisachs (1916–2014) had a long career from adolescence to retirement in 2006. Known for novels exploring relationships and social change, she won severa…

Mercy Otis Warren: American writer, playwright and early historian Mercy Otis Warren Mercy Otis Warren (1728–1814) was an American poet, playwright and political writer. She produced satirical dramas and one of the earliest histories of the American Revolution and…

Mere Broughton (1938–2016) — Māori language activist and unionist Mere Broughton Mere Broughton was a New Zealand Māori language campaigner, co‑founder of Te Herenga Waka Marae, a long‑time tertiary staff organiser, adviser to the Māori King and a recipient of…

Meredith MacRae — American actress and singer Meredith MacRae Meredith MacRae (1944–2000) was an American actress and singer best known for TV sitcom roles in the 1960s, including Billie Jo on Petticoat Junction and Sally Ann on My Three Sons…

Meresankh I — Egyptian queen of the late Third Dynasty Meresankh I Meresankh I was an ancient Egyptian queen known from Old Kingdom records. Traditionally identified as a wife of Huni and mother of Sneferu, her name means "She Loves Life" and she…