Biographies

Phạm Duy Phạm Duy (1921–2013) was a prolific Vietnamese songwriter and composer who created over 1,000 songs across multiple creative periods and played a central role in 20th-century moder…

Phạm Huỳnh Tam Lang — Vietnamese football player and coach Phạm Huỳnh Tam Lang Profile of Phạm Huỳnh Tam Lang (1942–2014), his playing and coaching career in South Vietnam, origins, significance in Vietnamese football, and legacy.

Phan Huy Lê — Vietnamese historian and scholar of village society Phan Huy Lê Phan Huy Lê (1934–2018) was a leading Vietnamese historian known for studies of village society, local records and national historiography. He taught at Vietnam National University…

Phankham Viphavanh — Laotian politician, Prime Minister (appointed 2021) Phankham Viphavanh Profile of Phankham Viphavanh (born 1951), senior Lao People's Revolutionary Party official who served as Vice President (2016–2021) and was appointed Prime Minister in 2021.

Phat Wilson — Canadian amateur ice hockey forward and three-time Allan Cup champion Phat Wilson Gordon Allan “Phat” Wilson (1895–1970) was a prominent Canadian amateur ice hockey forward who won the Allan Cup three times with the Port Arthur Bearcats and was inducted into the…

Phidias — Leading Sculptor of Classical Greece Phidias Phidias (c.480–c.430 BC) was a Greek sculptor, painter and architect celebrated for the chryselephantine statues of Zeus at Olympia and Athena Parthenos and for shaping High Classi…

Phil Bessler — Canadian ice hockey right winger Phil Bessler Encyclopedic profile of Phil Bessler (1913–1995), a Canadian right winger who played 31 NHL games and an extended professional career across North American minor leagues in the 193…

Phil Bruns Phil Bruns (1931–2012) was an American character actor and writer best known for playing George Shumway on the satirical TV soap Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. He worked across stage,…

Phil Harris (1904–1995) — American bandleader, comedian and voice actor Phil Harris Phil Harris was an American bandleader, singer, comedian and actor, best known for his radio comedy with Alice Faye and for voicing beloved Disney characters such as Baloo and Thom…

Phil Hill — American racing driver and 1961 Formula One champion Phil Hill Phil Hill (April 20, 1927 – August 28, 2008) was the only American-born Formula One World Champion, winning in 1961. He is remembered for his calm, analytical driving and successes…

Phil Knight: Co‑founder of Nike and American business leader Phil Knight Phil Knight is the co‑founder of Nike, Inc., a former CEO and major philanthropist. This article summarizes his background, the company's origins, career milestones, and lasting in…

Phil Leeds (1916–1998): American character actor Phil Leeds Phil Leeds (1916–1998) was an American character actor whose decades-long career delivered memorable supporting and guest roles on TV sitcoms and films, including a notable cameo i…

Phil Lord and Chris Miller: Filmmaking Duo and Creative Partners Phil Lord and Chris Miller Phil Lord and Chris Miller are an American writing, directing and producing team known for combining animation and comedy in films like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, 21 Jump S…

Phil Lynott: Irish singer-songwriter and leader of Thin Lizzy Phil Lynott Phil Lynott (1949–1986) was an Irish singer, bassist and songwriter best known as the frontman of Thin Lizzy. He combined rock, Irish melody and storytelling, influencing later har…

Phil Maloney — Canadian ice hockey centre and coach Phil Maloney Philip F. A. Maloney (1927–2020) was a Canadian ice hockey centre who played in the NHL and later coached the Vancouver Canucks in the 1970s.

Phil Masinga — South African striker and football manager Phil Masinga Overview of Phil Masinga (1969–2019), his club and international career, playing style, achievements with South Africa, brief coaching role, and legacy.

Phil O'Donnell (Scottish footballer) Phil O'Donnell Scottish midfielder Phil O'Donnell (1972–2007) played for Motherwell, Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday. He collapsed during a match in 2007 and died from cardiac arrest, prompting wi…

Phil Phillips (John Philip Baptiste) Phil Phillips American singer-songwriter best known for the 1959 hit 'Sea of Love'. Born in Crowley, Louisiana (1926), he recorded a million-selling single and remained a noted figure in popular…

Phil Rodgers Phil Rodgers (1938–2018), American professional golfer; 1958 NCAA champion, 1958 first‑team All‑American, runner-up finishes in major championships, later respected figure in golf.

Phil Silvers — American comedian, actor and entertainer Phil Silvers Phil Silvers (1911–1985) was an American comedian and actor best known as Sergeant Bilko on The Phil Silvers Show. He worked in vaudeville, radio, stage, film and television and wo…

Phil Skoglund (1937–2015) — New Zealand lawn bowls player Phil Skoglund Phil Skoglund was a leading New Zealand lawn bowls competitor whose international career spanned the 1960s–1990s; World Champion in triples (1988) and multiple Commonwealth Games r…

Phil Walsh (Australian rules footballer) Phil Walsh (Australian footballer) Phil Walsh (1960–2015) was an Australian rules footballer and coach who played in the VFL during the 1980s and later served as head coach of the Adelaide Football Club; he died in…

Philibert Randriambololona: Malagasy Jesuit Bishop and Archbishop Philibert Randriambololona Profile of Philibert Randriambololona (1927–2018), a Malagasy priest of the Society of Jesus who served as bishop of Antsirabé and archbishop of Fianarantsoa.

Philidor: the Danican family of French court musicians and the chess legacy Philidor Philidor (Danican) was a French family of court musicians of Scottish origin whose members were influential composers and performers; one descendant, François-André, became a leadi…

Philip A. Potter — Dominican Methodist and Ecumenical Leader Philip A. Potter Philip A. Potter (1921–2015) was a Dominican Methodist minister and the third General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (1972–1984), known for advancing global ecumenism a…

Philip Paul Bliss (1838–1876) Philip Bliss American 19th-century hymnwriter, gospel singer and composer. Known for composing the tune associated with Horatio Spafford’s "It Is Well with My Soul," Bliss influenced revival hy…

Philip Bosco (1930–2018) Philip Bosco American character actor known for a long Broadway career, a Tony Award-winning turn in Lend Me a Tenor, and recurring television roles; active on stage and screen from mid-20th ce…

Philip Collier — Premier of Western Australia (1924–1930, 1933–1936) Philip Collier Philip Collier (1873–1948) was an Australian Labor politician who served as Western Australia's 14th Premier in two terms, leading state government through interwar economic and so…

Philip Freelon: Architect of Cultural and Civic Institutions Philip Freelon American architect (1953–2019) known for culturally engaged public architecture, best known for leading the design team for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American Hist…

Philip II of Macedon: king, reformer, and architect of Greek unification Philip II of Macedon Philip II (r. 359–336 BC) transformed Macedonia into a professional military power, secured Macedonian dominance in Greece, and prepared the state that his son Alexander used to la…

Philip II of Spain: Habsburg ruler and leader of a global Catholic empire Philip II of Spain Philip II (1527–1598) was King of Spain and ruler of a vast Habsburg empire. His reign shaped European politics, religion and colonial expansion, marked by wars, the Counter-Reform…

Philip Jaisohn (Seo Jae-pil): Korean Reformer, Physician, and Publisher Philip Jaisohn Philip Jaisohn (Seo Jae-pil, 1864–1951) was a Korean-born physician, independence activist and publisher who promoted modernization, civil rights, public education and free press i…

Philip Kerr: British novelist and creator of the Bernie Gunther novels Philip Kerr Biography and overview of Philip Kerr (1956–2018), his major works including the Bernie Gunther historical thrillers and P. B. Kerr children's books, writing style, career and lega…

Philip Larkin: English poet, novelist and librarian Philip Larkin Philip Larkin (1922–1985), English poet and novelist noted for spare diction, wry realism and themes of mortality and ordinary life; long-serving University of Hull librarian and m…

Philip Leder: Geneticist Who Helped Decipher the Genetic Code Philip Leder Philip Leder (1934–2020) was an American geneticist best known for the Nirenberg–Leder experiment that clarified the triplet genetic code and for leadership in molecular genetics a…

Philip Levine (1928–2015): American poet of working-class Detroit Philip Levine (poet) Philip Levine, an American poet and long-time teacher, wrote powerful poems about working-class Detroit. He served as U.S. Poet Laureate (2011–2012) and won the 1995 Pulitzer Prize…

Philip of Hesse-Darmstadt (1671–1736) Philip of Hesse-Darmstadt German prince who served as an Imperial Field Marshal and later as Governor of Mantua; member of the House of Hesse-Darmstadt active in Habsburg service during the late 17th and ea…

Philip Roth — American Novelist and Chronicler of Jewish-American Life Philip Roth Philip Roth (1933–2018) was an influential American novelist whose work examined Jewish identity, sexuality, and American culture. Major books include Goodbye, Columbus; Portnoy's…

Philip Sheridan (1831–1888) Philip Sheridan Philip Sheridan was a Union general noted for aggressive cavalry leadership in the American Civil War and later for commanding U.S. Army forces in the Plains Indian Wars. He is rem…

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586) Philip Sidney English Elizabethan poet, courtier, soldier and diplomat known for Astrophil and Stella, The Defence of Poesy and the prose romance Arcadia; an influential figure in Renaissance le…

Philip Somerville: British Milliner to the Royal Household Philip Somerville Biography of Philip Somerville, English milliner famed for bespoke hats for the British royal family, his training and career, film work, signature techniques and his influence on…

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield: statesman, wit, and writer Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield Philip Dormer Stanhope (1694–1773), 4th Earl of Chesterfield, was a British courtier, politician and man of letters, remembered for his manners, patronage and the posthumously publ…

Philip VI of France (1293–1350), first Valois king Philip VI of France Philip VI (1293–1350) was the first Valois king of France (1328–1350). His reign saw the start of the Hundred Years' War, major military defeats, and the social disruption of the B…

Philipp Bobkov — Soviet KGB official and head of the Fifth Chief Directorate Philipp Bobkov Philipp Denisovich Bobkov (1925–2019) was a senior KGB official who directed the Fifth Chief Directorate, the Soviet political police branch tasked with suppressing dissent and con…

Philipp Graf von und zu Lerchenfeld Philipp Graf Lerchenfeld German politician (CSU), farmer and tax consultant who served in the Landtag of Bavaria (2003–2013) and the Bundestag (2013–2017); born 1952, died 2017.

Philippe Beaussant: French musicologist, novelist and Baroque specialist Philippe Beaussant Overview of Philippe Beaussant’s life and work: his scholarship on French Baroque music, founding of the Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles, writings on Lully, novels and Acad…

Philippe Bodson: Belgian entrepreneur, Glaverbel CEO and senator (1944–2020) Philippe Bodson Belgian entrepreneur and public servant Philippe Bodson (1944–2020), longtime Glaverbel CEO and Fortis director who served as a senator (1999–2003); died of COVID-19.

Philippe Gondet — French striker and France international Philippe Gondet Philippe Gondet (1942–2018) was a French forward best known for his club form in the 1960s, notably with FC Nantes, and for representing France at the 1966 FIFA World Cup in Englan…