Biographies

Merete Skavlan: Norwegian actress, director and editor Merete Skavlan Merete Skavlan (1920–2018) was a Norwegian stage and media figure, noted for performances in modern and classic plays, directing work, and contributions to Norwegian newspapers, ra…

Merle Travis: American singer, songwriter and architect of 'Travis picking' Merle Travis Merle Travis (1917–1983) was an influential American country singer, songwriter and guitarist, known for the fingerpicking style called 'Travis picking' and songs such as "Sixteen…

Merrill Swain: Architect of the Output Hypothesis in Second-Language Education Merrill Swain Summary of Merrill Swain’s career and contributions to second‑language acquisition: the output hypothesis, collaborative dialogue research, pedagogical implications, and profession…

Merv Griffin American entertainer, talk-show host and television producer best known for creating Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune and for hosting The Merv Griffin Show.

Mervyn Rose (Australian tennis player) Mervyn Rose Australian tennis champion and coach Mervyn Rose won seven Grand Slam titles, represented Australia in the Davis Cup, coached multiple champions, and was inducted into the Internat…

Meryl Davis (American ice dancer) Meryl Davis American ice dancer Meryl Davis, known for her partnership with Charlie White, Olympic success, and long-standing influence on ice dance technique and popularity in the United Stat…

Meshach Taylor American actor Meshach Taylor (1947–2014) was best known for his Emmy-nominated role on Designing Women and as Hollywood Montrose in Mannequin; he worked across television, film an…

Meshulam Riklis — businessman and financier Meshulam Riklis Meshulam Riklis (1923–2019) was an American‑Israeli financier known for early use of leveraged buyouts, complex corporate structures, film financing and a controversial public prof…

Méziane Idjerouidène — French airline executive and former managing director of Aigle Azur Méziane Idjerouidène Biography and professional overview of Méziane Idjerouidène, his education, leadership at Aigle Azur, industry roles and affiliations including ENAC Alumni.

Mia Kirshner: Canadian actress known for The L Word and 24 Mia Kirshner Overview of Canadian actress Mia Kirshner, her early life in Toronto, notable television and film roles, creative projects and public work, and a short selected filmography.

Mian Family of Baghbanpura — custodians of Shalimar Gardens and Lahore heritage Mian Family of Baghbanpura Prominent Arain family from Baghbanpura, Lahore, historically caretakers of the Shalimar Gardens under the Mughals; influential in horticulture, local governance and Lahore's socia…

Mian Mir Sahib: Sufi Saint of Lahore and Bridge Between Traditions Mian Mir Sahib Mian Mir (c.1550–1635) was a Qadiri Sufi who lived in Lahore. Renowned for spiritual teachings, ties to Mughal prince Dara Shikoh, respectful relations with Sikh Gurus, and his shr…

Micha Lindenstrauss — Israeli Judge and State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss German-born Micha Lindenstrauss (1937–2019) was an Israeli military jurist and State Comptroller (2005–2012), known for a long public-service career overseeing military justice and…

Michael A. Sheehan Michael A. Sheehan (1955–2018) was an American military officer, government counterterrorism official and author of Crush the Cell, known for advocating intelligence-led, rights-re…

Michael Alfred Peszke: Polish–American Psychiatrist and Historian Michael Alfred Peszke Biography of Michael A. Peszke (1932–2015), a Polish-born psychiatrist who emigrated to the US and wrote authoritative works on the Polish Armed Forces in World War II.

Michael Augustine — Archbishop Emeritus of Pondicherry and Cuddalore Michael Augustine Biography of Monsignor Michael Augustine (1933–2017), Indian Roman Catholic bishop who led the dioceses of Vellore and Pondicherry and Cuddalore, with notes on his ministry, retire…

Michael Blake (author) American novelist and screenwriter Michael Blake is best known for Dances with Wolves; he won major awards and helped renew interest in Native American perspectives in Western stor…

Michael Broadbent — British wine critic, auctioneer and author (1927–2020) Michael Broadbent John Michael Broadbent MW was a leading British wine critic, auctioneer and writer whose tasting records, auction work and promotion of vintage wine shaped the modern market and sc…

Michael Cassidy (Union Navy sailor and Medal of Honor recipient) Michael Cassidy Michael Cassidy (1837–1908) was a Union Navy sailor awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry at the Battle of Mobile Bay. Overview of his service, the battle's context, and his leg…

Michael Chabon — American novelist known for blending literary and genre fiction Michael Chabon Michael Chabon (born 1963) is an American novelist and essayist whose debut The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (1988) established him early. He won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for The Amazing…

Michael Chamberlain: pastor, writer and central figure in the Azaria Chamberlain case Michael Chamberlain New Zealand–born Australian pastor and writer Michael Chamberlain (1944–2017) was a prominent figure in the controversial 1980 disappearance of his daughter Azaria and the subseque…

Michael Chang — American tennis player and 1989 French Open champion Michael Chang Michael Chang (born 1972) is an American former professional tennis player, the youngest man to win a Grand Slam singles title (1989 French Open). He was a top-10 regular and reach…

Michael Crichton: author, screenwriter and creator of Jurassic Park Michael Crichton Overview of Michael Crichton, an American novelist, screenwriter, physician and TV producer known for techno-thrillers such as Jurassic Park, his film and television work, controve…

Michael Crouch (Australian businessman) Michael Crouch Australian industrialist Michael Crouch (1933–2018) founded and led Zip Industries and chaired Midgeon Holdings; he built a manufacturing business known for instant boiling-water s…

Michael Dante DiMartino American animation director and writer, co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, and co-leader of Avatar Studios, known for character-driven storytelling a…

Michael Dibdin British crime novelist (1947–2007), creator of Inspector Aurelio Zen, winner of the Gold Dagger for Ratking and noted for ironic, dark portrayals of Italian society and complex det…

Michael E. Busch Michael E. Busch (1947–2019) was an American Democratic politician who served as Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates from 2003 until his death in 2019, representing parts of…

Michael E. Krauss American linguist and educator who founded the Alaska Native Language Center and advocated for the documentation and preservation of endangered languages.

Michael Elgin (Canadian professional wrestler) Michael Elgin Canadian professional wrestler Aaron Michael Frobel, known as Michael Elgin, is noted for his power-based style and appearances for Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and other…

Michael Ende — German author of fantasy and children's literature Michael Ende Michael Ende (1929–1995) was a German writer best known for The Neverending Story and Momo. His imaginative, allegorical children's books have been widely translated and adapted fo…

Michael Faraday: life, experiments and lasting contributions to electricity and chemistry Michael Faraday Michael Faraday (1791–1867) was a self-taught English natural philosopher whose experiments established key concepts in electromagnetism and electrochemistry and led to technologie…

Michael Flaksman — American Cellist, Teacher and Chamber Musician Michael Flaksman American cellist Michael Flaksman (1946–2019) was known for recital, chamber and orchestral performances across Europe and the Far East and for his international masterclasses and…

Michael Foot: British Labour politician, journalist and party leader Michael Foot Michael Foot (1913–2010) was a British Labour politician, journalist and author. Long-serving MP and party leader (1980–83), known for intellectualism, left-wing views, journalism…

Michael Glawogger (1959–2014) — Austrian filmmaker Michael Glawogger Austrian director Michael Glawogger was an influential documentary filmmaker known for observational works such as Megacities, Workingman's Death and Whores' Glory. He died while f…

Michael Goolaerts (1994–2018) Michael Goolaerts Belgian professional cyclist Michael Goolaerts rode for Vérandas Willems–Crelan and died after suffering cardiac arrest during the 2018 Paris–Roubaix. Overview of his life, career,…

Michael Graves — American Architect and Product Designer Michael Graves Michael Graves (1934–2015) was an American architect and designer associated with postmodern architecture, notable public buildings and a wide range of household products that brou…

Michael Hanack — German chemist known for vinyl cations and phthalocyanines Michael Hanack Georg Michael Hanack (1931–2019) was a German organic chemist and professor at the University of Tübingen, noted for experimental studies of vinyl cations and development of phthal…

Michael Harner and the Development of Core Shamanism Michael Harner Anthropologist Michael Harner popularized 'Core Shamanism', founded the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, and wrote The Way of the Shaman, shaping contemporary neoshamanic practice…

Michael Howe (bushranger) Convict-turned-bushranger in Van Diemen's Land who led an outlaw gang, called himself the 'Lieutenant Governor of the Woods' and kept a personal journal; killed in 1818 and remembe…

Michael I of Romania Last king of Romania who reigned 1927–1930 and 1940–1947, led Romania's 1944 switch to the Allies, was forced into exile by a Soviet-backed communist government, and died in 2017.

Michael I. Sovern — American legal scholar and president of Columbia University Michael I. Sovern Michael I. Sovern (1931–2020) was an American law professor and the 17th president of Columbia University (1980–1993), known for his academic leadership and contributions to legal…

Michael J. C. Gordon British computer scientist (1948–2017), pioneer of interactive theorem proving and hardware verification, lead developer of the HOL theorem prover and a Fellow of the Royal Society…

Michael J. Ingelido — U.S. Air Force Major General and Aerospace Commander Michael J. Ingelido Biography of Michael J. Ingelido (1916–2015), career U.S. Air Force major general who led Fourteenth Aerospace Force and served from 1941 to 1972, spanning WWII through the Cold Wa…

Michael J. O'Connor (1928–2018), South Dakota politician Michael J. O'Connor American state legislator from Sioux Falls who served in both chambers of the South Dakota Legislature and was President Pro Tempore of the State Senate (1975–1976).

Michael Jackson (writer) British writer Michael Jackson (1942–2007), nicknamed "The Beer Hunter", popularized beer appreciation worldwide through books, journalism, broadcasting and a long-running website,…

Michael Jeter American character actor (1952–2003) known for stage versatility and memorable roles in Evening Shade, Sesame Street’s Elmo’s World, and numerous films including The Green Mile and…

Michael John Smith — American astronaut and Challenger pilot Michael John Smith American naval aviator and NASA astronaut, pilot of Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-51-L). Killed in the Challenger disaster 73 seconds after launch on January 28, 1986; remembered f…

Michael Johns (1978–2014) — Australian singer-songwriter Michael Johns (singer) Australian-born Michael Johns was a pop-rock singer-songwriter who placed eighth on American Idol season 7, recorded and toured internationally, and died in 2014 from health compli…