Biographies

Piroska Oszoli — Hungarian plein-air landscape painter (1919–2017) Piroska Oszoli Hungarian artist Piroska Oszoli (1919–2017) was noted for plein-air landscapes, depictions of the Danube region and international scenes; she trained under Ferenc Doór and worked w…

Pit Corder: Pioneer of Error Analysis in Applied Linguistics Pit Corder Pit Corder (1918–1990), British applied linguist who pioneered error analysis in second-language learning and helped shift language teaching research toward learner-centered approa…

Pita Paraone Pita Paraone (1945–2019) was a New Zealand politician and Māori leader, New Zealand First MP (2002–2008, 2014–2017) and Chairman of the Waitangi National Trust Board.

Pitikwahanapiwiyin (Poundmaker) — Plains Cree leader and peacemaker Pitikwahanapiwiyin Pitikwahanapiwiyin, commonly called Poundmaker, was a 19th‑century Plains Cree chief from near Battleford (Saskatchewan) known for diplomacy, a peace adoption with Crowfoot, and a…

Plan B (Ben Drew) — English musician, rapper and actor Plan B (musician) Plan B (Ben Drew, b. 1983) is an English singer, rapper, songwriter and actor from London, known for blending hip hop and soul and for his albums and film projects.

Plautus — Roman comic playwright (Titus Macchius Plautus) Plautus Titus Macchius Plautus (c. 254–184 BC) was an early Roman comic dramatist whose lively adaptations of Greek New Comedy survive as some of the oldest extant Latin literary works.

Plínio de Arruda Sampaio: Brazilian lawyer, activist and politician Plínio de Arruda Sampaio Profile of Plínio de Arruda Sampaio (1930–2014), a Brazilian lawyer, left-wing political activist, member of PSOL, deputy in the 1988 Constituent Assembly and 2010 presidential can…

Plutarch: Greek Biographer, Historian and Moral Essayist Plutarch Plutarch (c. AD 46–after 119) was a Greek biographer, essayist and moral philosopher whose Parallel Lives and Moralia shaped later views of antiquity and ethical thought.

Poet: role, forms, history, and notable traditions Poet An overview of poets: what they do, the forms and techniques of poetry, historical development across cultures, notable figures and traditions, and the continuing role of poets tod…

Pol de Mont: Flemish poet, journalist and cultural leader Pol de Mont Pol de Mont (1857–1931) was a Belgian poet, writer and cultural organizer active in the Flemish Movement; he taught, edited literary journals and directed the Museum of Fine Arts i…

Pol Pot (Saloth Sar): Leader of the Khmer Rouge and the Cambodian Genocide Pol Pot Pol Pot (Saloth Sar) led the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia from 1975–1979. His regime pursued radical agrarian policies that caused mass deportations, forced labor, purges and the deaths…

Poldy Bird — Argentine writer and poet Poldy Bird Argentine writer and poet (1941–2018) celebrated for short, intimate prose and collections such as Cuentos para Verónica. Her work reached broad popular audiences in Argentina and…

Police procedural A crime-fiction genre that focuses on law-enforcement methods, teamwork, and institutional practices, portraying investigations through realistic routine, forensics, and bureaucrat…

Pearl "Polly" Adler — New York madam and memoirist Polly Adler Pearl "Polly" Adler (1900–1962) was a Russian Empire–born madam who operated notorious Manhattan brothels in the early 20th century and later published a widely read memoir about h…

Pompey the Great (Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus): Roman general and statesman Pompey Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey) was a leading military commander and conservative statesman of the late Roman Republic whose career shaped the Republic’s final decades, culminating…

Pontiac (Ottawa leader) Pontiac (c.1720–1769) was an Ottawa war leader best known for initiating resistance against British military presence after the French and Indian War, an episode remembered as Pont…

Pontus Segerström Swedish professional footballer (1981–2014), defender and captain known for his time at IF Brommapojkarna, Odense BK and Landskrona BoIS; died after a brief illness at age 33.

Pop icon: enduring celebrity, cultural symbolism, and reasons for lasting fame Pop icon A pop icon is a widely recognized public figure whose reputation and cultural significance persist or grow over time. This article explains traits, history, examples, and why some…

Pop Smoke (Bashar Barakah Jackson): Brooklyn drill rapper Pop Smoke Pop Smoke (1999–2020) was a Brooklyn-born rapper whose deep-voiced Brooklyn/UK-influenced drill style broke out with "Welcome to the Party" and posthumous releases after his death…

Pope Anacletus (Cletus): early Bishop of Rome Pope Anacletus Late 1st-century Bishop of Rome traditionally known as Anacletus or Cletus. Credited in early sources with organizing Roman Christian communities, building chapels, and remembered…

Pope Anterus: Brief Pontificate and Early Church Legacy Pope Anterus Pope Anterus led the Roman Church for under two months at the end of 235–early 236 CE. Remembered for preserving martyr records, buried in the Catacomb of Callixtus; venerated as a…

Pope Benedict V: a brief papacy, deposition, and legacy Pope Benedict V Pope Benedict V was an Italian deacon elected by Romans in 964. His five-week pontificate ended with deposition by Emperor Otto I; he was exiled to Germany and died in 965. Remembe…

Pope Boniface Overview of the popes who took the name Boniface, their historical roles, notable actions, and the distinctions between legitimate popes and antipopes bearing the name.

Pope Callixtus I Bishop of Rome circa 217–222 C.E., associated with the early Roman Church's burial sites, pastoral policies on penance, and contested by contemporary theologians; venerated as a sa…

Pope Clement I (Saint Clement of Rome) Pope Clement I Early Bishop of Rome traditionally dated to the late 1st century; author of the letter 1 Clement; venerated as a saint and remembered for an early example of Roman intervention in…

Pope Evaristus Traditional fifth Bishop of Rome (late 1st–early 2nd century). Little is known with certainty; later Christian tradition credits him with organizing parishes, consecrating churches…

Pope Hyginus Pope Hyginus was an early Bishop of Rome (c.138–142 AD), a Greek from Athens who confronted Gnostic teachings, is commemorated as a saint, and figures in early Christian tradition.

Pope John XIX (Romanus): 11th‑century pontiff of the Tusculan family Pope John XIX Pope John XIX (born Romanus) led the Roman Church from 1024 to 1032. A member of the powerful Tusculan clan, he moved from layman to pope, crowned Emperor Conrad II and strengthene…

Pope Leo III — Life, Papacy, and the Coronation of Charlemagne Pope Leo III Pope from 795 to 816, Leo III is best known for crowning Charlemagne emperor in 800 and for securing papal authority through an alliance with the Frankish kingdom.

Pope Liberius (pontificate 352–366) Pope Liberius Pope from 352 to 366, Liberius' tenure was dominated by the Arian controversy, imperial pressure and exile. His conduct and later veneration have been the subject of historical deb…

Pope Linus: early Bishop of Rome and early Christian figure Pope Linus Second Bishop of Rome in early Christian tradition, Linus is named in ancient sources and the New Testament. His life mixes limited historical data, later legend, and ongoing vener…

Pope Sixtus I (Xystus) — early Bishop of Rome and liturgical contributor Pope Sixtus I Early second-century Bishop of Rome traditionally credited with a liturgical direction about the Sanctus; remembered in later church lists and venerated as a saint, though contempo…

Pope Soter Pope Soter served as Bishop of Rome from about 166 to 174 and is honored as a saint; his brief papacy emphasized pastoral care and the discipline of the early Church amid limited h…

Pope Stephen IV (pontiff June 816 – January 817) Pope Stephen IV Short papacy of Stephen IV in the early ninth century; served June 816 to January 817, died of old age. Context, duties, legacy, and numbering note on popes named Stephen.

Pope Telesphorus — Early Bishop of Rome and Christian traditions Pope Telesphorus Overview of Pope Telesphorus (c.125–136), his origins, disputed liturgical contributions (Midnight Mass, Lent, Easter observance), reported martyrdom, and later veneration.

Pope Urban I (c. 222–230) — Bishop of Rome and early Christian saint Pope Urban I Pope Urban I led the Christian community in Rome around 222–230 CE. Little contemporary record survives; he is venerated as a saint and is buried in the Catacombs of Callixtus on t…

Pope Zephyrinus (bishop of Rome, c. 198–217) Pope Zephyrinus Bishop of Rome from about 199 to 217, Zephyrinus led the early church through doctrinal disputes and criticism. His pontificate is remembered for theological controversies and the…

Post Bahadur Bogati: Nepali Maoist Leader and Government Minister Post Bahadur Bogati Post Bahadur Bogati (1953–2014) was a Nepali politician with the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), served as minister in multiple portfolios, and was a vice-chairman of hi…

Potter Palmer: Chicago businessman, real estate developer and hotelier Potter Palmer Potter Palmer (1826–1902) was a leading Chicago retailer, developer and founder of the Palmer House hotel who played a major role in rebuilding and reshaping downtown Chicago after…

Poul Anderson Poul Anderson (1926–2001), American author of science fiction, fantasy and historical novels, noted for hard-SF rigor, mythic themes, prolific short fiction, and multiple Hugo and…

Poul Hartling — Danish Prime Minister and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Poul Hartling Danish politician and diplomat; Prime Minister of Denmark (1973–1975) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (1978–1985). He accepted the UNHCR's Nobel Peace Prize in 19…

Powell A. Moore — U.S. legislative affairs official and public servant Powell A. Moore Powell A. Moore (1938–2018) was an American government official who served as a congressional liaison in the State and Defense Departments and was nominated as U.S. Representative…

Pramoedya Ananta Toer: Indonesian novelist, essayist and political chronicler Pramoedya Ananta Toer Indonesian writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer (1925–2006) produced novels, essays and histories centered on anti‑colonialism and national identity; he gained international acclaim despit…

Pran Nevile (1922–2018) — Indian writer and cultural historian Pran Nevile Pran Nevile (1922–2018) was an Indian writer and cultural historian best known for Lahore: A Sentimental Journey (1992). He documented pre‑Partition Lahore, nautch and South Asian…

Praxiteles (4th-century BC Greek sculptor) Praxiteles Praxiteles was a leading Greek sculptor of the Late Classical period, celebrated for introducing a life-size nude female statue and for a graceful, sensuous style known through lat…

Preben Hertoft: Danish psychiatrist and pioneer in medical sexology Preben Hertoft Preben Hertoft (1928–2017) was a Danish psychiatrist and professor who established Denmark’s first medical centre for sexology and spent more than four decades in clinical work, re…

Predrag Matvejević: Essayist, Cultural Historian, and Public Intellectual Predrag Matvejević Predrag Matvejević (1932–2017) was a Bosnian-Croatian essayist and activist best known for Mediterranean Breviary, a widely translated exploration of Mediterranean culture and land…

Prem Nath Hoon — Indian Army officer and commander of Operation Meghdoot Prem Nath Hoon Biography of Lieutenant General Prem Nath Hoon (1929–2020), his military career, role in Operation Meghdoot and Operation Brasstacks, wartime service, and legacy in India's armed f…