Biographies

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Russian composer and master orchestrator (1844–1908), noted for vivid orchestral color, operas and suites such as Scheherazade, his textbook on orchestration, and his role as teach…

Nikolai Andreyevich Tsymbal Nikolai Tsymbal Soviet military officer (1925–2020) who served in the political branch of the air force, rose to General‑Lieutenant of Aviation, and was deputy head of the Gagarin Air Force Academ…

Nikolai Vavilov: botanist, plant geneticist and seed-collection pioneer Nikolai Vavilov Russian botanist and geneticist who mapped centers of origin for cultivated plants, built a vast seed collection, led global plant expeditions, and died in custody after clashing w…

Nikolai Volkoff (Josip Peruzović) — Yugoslav-born Professional Wrestler Nikolai Volkoff Josip Nikolai Peruzović, ring name Nikolai Volkoff, was a Yugoslav-born professional wrestler best known for portraying a villainous Soviet character in the WWF; Hall of Famer and…

Nikolai Pavlovich Zhugan (1917–2017) Nikolai Zhugan Soviet Air Force officer and Hero of the Soviet Union (1944). Major General who served in the Great Patriotic War; born in Kherson Governorate in 1917 and died in Krasnodar in 2017…

Nikolay Kovalyov (1949–2019) — Russian security official and politician Nikolay Kovalyov (politician) Overview of Nikolay Dmitrievich Kovalyov, his career as a KGB/FSB official and later as a State Duma deputy and chairman of the Duma Veterans' Committee.

Nikolay Pimenov — Soviet and Russian rower Nikolay Pimenov Soviet-born rower Nikolay Pimenov, twin partner of Yuriy, won Olympic silver in 1980 and multiple World Championship medals competing mainly in coxless pairs; noted for a long inte…

Nikolay Yut — Chuvash Writer, Folklorist and Literary Critic Nikolay Yut Nikolay Yut (1898–1967) was a Chuvash-language writer, folklorist and literary critic who collected regional folklore and contributed to the development and study of Chuvash litera…

Archbishop Nikon (Nicholas Liolin): Leader of the Albanian Archdiocese in the OCA Nikon (Liolin) American-Albanian Orthodox bishop Nicholas 'Nikon' Liolin (1945–2019) led the Albanian Archdiocese and New England Diocese of the Orthodox Church in America, known for pastoral car…

Nilcéa Freire (1953–2019): Brazilian academic and women's policy leader Nilcéa Freire Nilcéa Freire, Brazilian university leader and government minister, directed women's public policies and chaired the Inter‑American Commission of Women, shaping gender equality ini…

Nilda Fernández Spanish-born French singer known for poetic chanson and Spanish-influenced songs; recorded from the early 1980s, best known for the album Madrid (1987) and the 1991 single “Nos fia…

Niloofar Rahmani — Afghanistan's first female fixed‑wing military pilot since 2001 Niloofar Rahmani Profile of Niloofar Rahmani, born 1992, the first female fixed‑wing aviator in Afghanistan’s Air Force since the Taliban era, her training, challenges, recognition, and significanc…

Nils Clarke — Yukon lawyer and member of the Legislative Assembly Nils Clarke Nils Clarke is a Canadian lawyer and Yukon politician who represents Riverdale North and serves as Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly. He was first elected in 2016 as a memb…

Nils Horner — Swedish‑British foreign correspondent Nils Horner Swedish‑British radio correspondent for Sveriges Radio, longtime Asia bureau chief noted for South Asia reporting. Killed in Kabul in 2014 while covering Afghan elections; remember…

Nils John Nilsson American computer scientist and early artificial intelligence researcher, known for work on planning, robotics and the Shakey robot; longtime Stanford professor and influential tex…

Nils Petter Sundgren (1929–2019) Nils Petter Sundgren Swedish film critic and television presenter best known as a long-time host of SVT's Filmkrönikan; influential voice in Swedish film culture from mid-20th century through late care…

Nílton Santos Brazilian left-back widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders; an early attacking full-back, Botafogo loyalist and two-time World Cup winner included in Pelé's FIFA 100.

Nimmi (Nawab Banoo): Prominent Indian Actress of the 1950s and 1960s Nimmi Profile of Nimmi (Nawab Banoo), an Indian film actress known for emotive roles in 1950s–60s Hindi cinema, summary of career, notable films, style, and legacy.

Nimr al-Nimr: Saudi Shia cleric, activist, and controversial figure Nimr al-Nimr Nimr al-Nimr (1959–2016) was a prominent Saudi Shia cleric from the Eastern Province whose arrest, trial and execution highlighted sectarian tensions, human rights concerns, and di…

Nina Bawden: British novelist and children's author Nina Bawden Nina Bawden (1925–2012) was a prolific English novelist who wrote for children and adults. She is best known for Carrie's War and On the Run and for novels exploring family, displa…

Nina Foch: Dutch‑American actress, teacher, and screen character actor Nina Foch Nina Foch (1924–2008) was a Dutch‑born American actress whose film and television career peaked in the 1940s–1950s; later she became a respected acting teacher and mentor in Los An…

Nina Fyodorova (Nina Viktorovna Baldycheva) — Soviet cross-country skier Nina Fyodorova Soviet-era cross-country skier Nina Fyodorova (born Nina Baldycheva) won three Olympic medals (1976–1980) and competed internationally from 1970 to 1980. Born in Travino; died 2019…

Nina Lagergren: Swedish businesswoman and advocate for Raoul Wallenberg Nina Lagergren Nina Lagergren (1921–2019) was a Swedish businesswoman, half-sister of Raoul Wallenberg, founder of the Raoul Wallenberg Academy and an active campaigner to clarify her brother’s f…

Nina Timofeeva — Russian Ballet Dancer (1935–2014) Nina Timofeeva Nina Vladimirovna Timofeeva (1935–2014) was a Soviet-era Russian ballet dancer known for classical roles such as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake and for dramatic stage performances in mi…

Ninad Bedekar: Indian historian, writer and popularizer of Maratha heritage Ninad Bedekar Ninad G. Bedekar (1949–2015) was a Pune-based historian, author and orator known for researching and popularizing Maratha-era forts, military history and regional cultural heritage…

Ninan Koshy (1934–2015): Indian political thinker, theologian and analyst Ninan Koshy Profile of Ninan Koshy, Indian political thinker, Christian theologian and foreign affairs analyst, his work with ecumenical bodies, themes, and legacy.

Ningali Lawford — Australian actress (1967–2019) Ningali Lawford Profile of Ningali Josie Lawford, an Australian Indigenous actress known for film and stage roles including Rabbit-Proof Fence, Bran Nue Dae and Last Cab to Darwin; her career, rec…

Nino Khurtsidze — Georgian chess master and two-time World Junior champion Nino Khurtsidze Overview of Nino Khurtsidze, Georgian chess International Master and Woman Grandmaster, her career highlights, titles, notable results and legacy, including her World Junior titles…

Nino Manfredi — Italian actor, director and comedian Nino Manfredi Saturnino "Nino" Manfredi (1921–2004) was a versatile Italian actor, director, screenwriter and entertainer, noted for his roles in commedia all'italiana and award-winning films su…

Niranjan Bhagat: Gujarati poet, critic and bilingual writer Niranjan Bhagat Overview of Niranjan Bhagat (1926–2018), his bilingual poetry and criticism in Gujarati and English, his Sahitya Akademi Award, style, contributions and legacy.

Nirbhaya: 2012 Delhi gang-rape case and its social and legal impact Nirbhaya "Fearless" Nirbhaya (meaning 'fearless') was the alias for a 23-year-old student assaulted in Delhi in 2012. Her case sparked mass protests, legal reforms and a sustained public debate about…

Nisha Ayub: Malaysian transgender activist and human-rights advocate Nisha Ayub Malaysian transgender activist Nisha Ayub founded SEED Foundation and Justice for Sisters to support and defend transgender people; she survived imprisonment and received the 2016…

Nisio Isin (NISIOISIN) — Japanese novelist of Monogatari and Zaregoto Nisio Isin Japanese novelist and light-novelist known for wordplay, dialogue-driven fiction and series such as Monogatari and Zaregoto; debuted with Kubikiri Saikuru and won the Mefisto Prize…

Nitzan Horowitz: Israeli Politician, Journalist, and Meretz Leader Nitzan Horowitz Profile of Nitzan Horowitz, Israeli journalist-turned-politician, longtime Meretz member and leader, former foreign correspondent, Knesset member and advocate for human rights and…

Nivaria Tejera: Cuban poet and novelist Nivaria Tejera Nivaria Tejera (1929–2016) was a Cuban-born poet and novelist of Cuban–Spanish origin. She wrote in Spanish, won the Seix Barral Biblioteca Breve prize in 1971, and lived much of h…

Nizam-ud-din Auliya (1238–1325) — Chishti Sufi saint of Delhi Nizam-ud-din Auliya Prominent 13th–14th century Chishti Sufi saint based in Delhi, known for a message of devotional love, service to the poor, musical gatherings, and a widely visited shrine in Old D…

NN ingen Cináed, daughter of Kenneth I (MacAlpin) NN ingen Cináed An otherwise unnamed daughter of Kenneth I (Cináed mac Ailpín), traditionally identified as the mother of Eochaid, a late 9th‑century claimant to the throne of the Scots; documenta…

Noach Dear: Brooklyn Legislator and New York Supreme Court Judge Noach Dear Overview of Noach Dear (1953–2020), his political service on the New York City Council, later judicial career on the New York Supreme Court, and his death during the 2020 COVID-19…

Noah (biblical figure) Noah Noah, son of Lamech, is the central figure of the flood narrative in Genesis and appears in Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions as the builder of the ark and a survivor of a d…

Noah Cyrus Noah Cyrus (born 2000) is an American singer and actress from the Cyrus family. She began with small television roles and later established a recording career with pop and indie-in…

Noam Sheriff Israeli composer, conductor and teacher (1935–2018) who shaped Israel’s orchestral life and blended Western forms with Jewish and Middle Eastern musical elements.

Nobuaki Kobayashi — Japanese three-cushion billiards champion Nobuaki Kobayashi Nobuaki Kobayashi (1942–2019) was a Japanese three-cushion billiards player, two-time World Champion and the only native Asian to win the World Three-cushion Championship.

Nobuhiko Obayashi: Japanese filmmaker known for surreal visuals and cult classics Nobuhiko Obayashi Overview of Nobuhiko Obayashi (1938–2020), a Japanese director, screenwriter and editor celebrated for experimental style, cult horror House, Toki o Kakeru Shōjo, Hanagatami and la…

Nobuhisa Yamada Nobuhisa Yamada (born 10 Sept 1975) is a retired Japanese footballer best known for a long one‑club career with Urawa Red Diamonds and appearances for the Japan national team.

Nobunari Oda: Japanese figure skater and descendant of Oda Nobunaga Nobunari Oda Nobunari Oda (born 25 March 1987) is a Japanese figure skater known for his international competitive career, technical jumping ability and his lineage as a descendant of the daimy…

Nobuo Fujishima — Japanese footballer Nobuo Fujishima Nobuo Fujishima (born April 8, 1950) is a former Japanese footballer who represented the Japan national team. This article summarizes his background, career, style, and legacy in J…

Nobuo Kawakami — Japanese footballer (born 1947) Nobuo Kawakami Nobuo Kawakami (born October 4, 1947) is a former Japanese footballer who was selected for the Japan national team. This article summarizes his background, club and international i…

Nobuo Matsunaga — Japanese footballer and national team player (1921–2007) Nobuo Matsunaga Brief overview of Nobuo Matsunaga, a mid-20th century Japanese footballer who represented the Japan national team and belonged to a notable family of international players.