Biographies

Ronnie Gilbert: American Folk Singer, Actress, and Activist Ronnie Gilbert Ronnie Gilbert (1926–2015), founding member of The Weavers, was a singer, actress and outspoken activist whose work bridged folk music, labor and civil rights causes.

Ronnie Moore (speedway rider) Ronnie Moore (1933–2018) was an Australian-born New Zealand international speedway rider, twice Individual World Champion (1954, 1959) and a Member of the Order of the British Empi…

Ronnie Moran: Liverpool stalwart, player and coach Ronnie Moran Overview of Ronnie Moran (1934–2017), lifelong Liverpool player and coach, member of Anfield's Boot Room, caretaker manager in the early 1990s, and respected figure in English foot…

Ronnie Stevens (English actor) Ronnie Stevens English character actor Ronnie Stevens (1925–2006) appeared across British stage, radio, film and television, best known for supporting roles in many popular sitcoms and dramas of…

Ronnie Thompson (1934–2020): Macon Mayor, Singer, and Conservative Figure Ronnie Thompson Ronald John “Ronnie” Thompson was a Republican mayor of Macon, Georgia (1967–1975), a former gospel and country singer, and a polarizing conservative figure. He died in 2020 of Alz…

Ronnie Virgets: New Orleans writer, journalist and commentator Ronnie Virgets Profile of Ronnie Virgets (1942–2019), a New Orleans-based writer and broadcaster known for essays, television features and radio storytelling about the city and its culture.

Rosa Bouglione (1910–2018): French circus performer and family matriarch Rosa Bouglione Rosa Bouglione (born Van Been, 1910–2018) was a Belgian-born French circus performer famous for work with lions and for her role as the matriarch of the Bouglione circus family.

Rosa González Román: Chilean journalist and legislator (1942–2019) Rosa González Román Biography of Rosa González Román, Chilean journalist who served in the Chamber of Deputies from 1998 to 2006, her career, public role and death in 2019.

Rosa Luxemburg: Polish‑born Marxist theorist and revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg Rosa Luxemburg (1871–1919) was a Polish‑born Marxist activist, theorist and anti‑war leader who worked in Poland and Germany; she argued for mass democratic action, criticized auth…

Rosa María Britton Rosa María Britton (1936–2019) was a Panamanian physician and novelist whose fiction addressed gender, social change and historical memory in Panama. She balanced a medical career…

Rosa Maria Carrasco i Azemar Spanish Catalan politician (1936–2018), co‑founder of Democrats of Catalonia and a public figure in Catalan civic and political life.

Rosa Morena (1941–2019) Rosa Morena Spanish singer, dancer, model and actress known for blending flamenco and pop and for the 1970s hit “Échale guindas al pavo.” Active in music and film from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Rosa Taikon — Swedish Romani silversmith, actress, and civil-rights figure Rosa Taikon Rosa Taikon (1926–2017) was a Swedish Romani silversmith and actress known for her handcrafted silver jewelry, public exhibitions, appearances in Swedish films, and advocacy for Ro…

Rosalía de Castro: Galician poet and pioneer of modern Galician literature Rosalía de Castro Rosalía de Castro (1837–1885), a writer from Santiago de Compostela, wrote in Galician and Spanish and helped revive Galician literature; known for Cantares Gallegos, Follas Novas,…

Rosalind Elias (American mezzo-soprano) Rosalind Elias American mezzo-soprano Rosalind Elias (1930–2020) was acclaimed for creating roles in Samuel Barber's operas and for a long career at the Metropolitan Opera. She is remembered for…

Rosalyn Yalow: pioneer of the radioimmunoassay Rosalyn Yalow Rosalyn Yalow (1921–2011), American medical physicist who co-developed the radioimmunoassay, a sensitive laboratory method that transformed hormone measurement, clinical diagnosis…

Rosamunde Pilcher: life, work and legacy Rosamunde Pilcher British novelist Rosamunde Pilcher (1924–2019) was known for The Shell Seekers and many novels and short stories set in Cornwall; her work emphasized family, place, and everyday de…

Rosanna Arquette: career, family background, and contributions to film Rosanna Arquette Overview of American actress and director Rosanna Arquette: early life, major roles (Desperately Seeking Susan, Pulp Fiction), directing work, family connections, and public advoca…

Rosario Couture Canadian professional ice hockey player (1905–1986). Played eight NHL seasons—seven with the Chicago Black Hawks and one with the Montreal Canadiens—and was a member of Chicago’s 1…

Rosario Green (Mexican economist, diplomat and politician) Rosario Green María del Rosario Green Macías (1941–2017), Mexican economist and diplomat; served as Secretary of Foreign Affairs (1998–2000), PRI Secretary General (2005–2006), senator (2006–201…

Roscoe Born — American Actor and Songwriter Roscoe Born Profile of Roscoe Born (1950–2020), an American actor and songwriter known for prominent soap-opera roles, career highlights, awards recognition, and legacy.

Roscoe C. Brown Jr.: Tuskegee Airman and World War II Squadron Commander Roscoe Brown Roscoe C. Brown Jr. (1922–2016) was a Tuskegee Airman, commander of the 100th Fighter Squadron, credited with downing a German Me-262 jet and an Fw 190 and later active in educatio…

Rosemary Bryant Mariner: U.S. Naval Aviator and Pioneer in Military Aviation Rosemary Bryant Mariner Rosemary Bryant Mariner (1953–2019) was an American naval aviator, one of the first six women to earn U.S. Naval Aviator wings (1974) and the first woman to command an operational…

Rosemary Harris (1923–2019) — British writer of children's fiction Rosemary Harris (writer) Overview of Rosemary Jeanne Harris, a British author best known for her Carnegie Medal–winning novel The Moon in the Cloud, her themes, style, and legacy in children's literature.

Rosenda Monteros (1935–2018) Rosenda Monteros Rosenda Monteros was a Mexican actress known for film, stage and international screen roles, most famously as Petra in The Magnificent Seven. She appeared in Mexican and internatio…

Rosey (Matt Anoaʻi): Samoan American professional wrestler Rosey (wrestler) Matt Anoaʻi (1970–2017), ring name Rosey, was a Samoan American pro wrestler from the Anoaʻi family, best known for his WWE run as Rosey — a tag-team partner of The Hurricane and a…

Rosie Hamlin — singer-songwriter best known for "Angel Baby" Rosie Hamlin Rosalie "Rosie" Hamlin (1945–2017) was an American singer-songwriter who led Rosie and the Originals and recorded the 1961 Top 40 hit "Angel Baby." Her voice and legacy influenced…

Ross Bagdasarian (David Seville) — creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks Ross Bagdasarian American musician, songwriter and producer (1919–1972), best known as David Seville, creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks and an early innovator of sped-up vocal recording techniques…

Ross Barnett: Mississippi Governor and Segregationist Leader Ross Barnett Ross Barnett (1898–1987) was Governor of Mississippi (1960–1964), known for his staunch segregationist stance and his role in resisting the integration of the University of Mississ…

Ross Burden — New Zealand-born television chef and food writer Ross Burden Ross Burden (1968–2014) was a New Zealand chef who became a familiar face on television in the UK and New Zealand, authored cookbooks, wrote food columns, and judged MasterChef New…

Ross Lonsberry: Canadian NHL Left Winger Ross Lonsberry Overview of Ross Lonsberry, a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played 15 NHL seasons for Boston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and was a key member of th…

Ross McLarty Sir Duncan Ross McLarty (1891–1962) was an Australian politician who led the Liberal Party in Western Australia and served as the state’s 17th premier from 1947 to 1953.

Rossana Podestà — Italian actress (1934–2013) Rossana Podestà Rossana Podestà was an Italian film actress best known for roles in Ulysses and Helen of Troy. Born in Tripoli in 1934, she achieved international recognition in 1950s epics and di…

Roswell Rudd (1935–2017) — American Jazz Trombonist and Composer Roswell Rudd Roswell Rudd was an influential American jazz trombonist and composer known for his work in free and avant-garde jazz, extensive collaborations (notably with Archie Shepp), and a c…

Rouben Mamoulian: Armenian‑American innovator in film and musical theatre Rouben Mamoulian Director Rouben Mamoulian (1897–1987) was an Armenian‑American pioneer in film sound and camera movement and a leading stage director whose work shaped early Hollywood and Broadway…

Rowland Evans: American political journalist and commentator Rowland Evans Rowland Evans (1921–2001) was an American political columnist and television analyst, best known for his syndicated partnership with Robert Novak and their political program on CNN…

Rowley Habib (Rore Hapipi) — New Zealand Māori Poet, Playwright and Writer Rowley Habib Rowley Habib (Rore Hapipi, 1933–2016) was a New Zealand Māori poet, playwright, short‑story writer and television scriptwriter known for his contributions to Māori literature and t…

Roxcy Bolton: American Feminist and Women's Rights Activist Roxcy Bolton Roxcy Bolton (1926–2017) was a Miami-based feminist and civil-rights advocate who co-founded Florida NOW, established shelters and the nation's first Rape Treatment Center, and cam…

Roy Bailey (1935–2018) — English socialist folk singer and guitarist Roy Bailey (folk singer) Roy Bailey was a British folk singer known for politically engaged songs, decades of recordings and performances, and collaborations with songwriters such as Robb Johnson.

Roy Bentley: Chelsea captain and England centre-forward Roy Bentley Roy Bentley (1924–2018) was an English centre-forward who captained Chelsea to their first League title in 1954–55, earned caps for England, and later worked as a manager and coach…

Roy Clark: Country Musician, Guitarist, and Television Host Roy Clark Roy Clark (1933–2018) was an American country singer, virtuoso guitarist and long‑time host of Hee Haw. A Grand Ole Opry member and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, known for h…

Roy Fisher: British Poet and Jazz Pianist Roy Fisher Overview of Roy Fisher (1930–2017), his modernist-influenced poetry rooted in the English Midlands, his musical practice, stylistic range, and recognition including Honorary Poet o…

Roy Gater (1940–2017), English footballer Roy Gater Roy Gater (22 June 1940 – 2 May 2017) was an English professional footballer who made 412 league and cup appearances across a 13‑year Football League career.

Roy Halladay: career, achievements and legacy Roy Halladay Biography of Roy Halladay, American MLB pitcher known for his sinker, two Cy Young Awards, a perfect game and a postseason no-hitter; played for the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelp…

Roy Hargrove — American Jazz Trumpeter and Bandleader Roy Hargrove Roy Hargrove (1969–2018) was an American jazz trumpeter and bandleader, noted for his warm tone, hard bop roots and genre-crossing work with The RH Factor; two-time Grammy winner a…

E. Roy Lester — American college and high school football coach Roy Lester Biographical overview of E. Roy Lester (1923–2020), his playing career at West Virginia, coaching work in high school and college football, and his legacy.

Roy Medvedev — Soviet historian and critic of Stalinism Roy Medvedev Soviet-born political writer and historian Roy Medvedev is best known for Let History Judge, a critical account of Stalinism; he later returned to public life during perestroika an…

Roy Sievers: MLB First Baseman and Power Hitter Roy Sievers Biography of Roy Sievers (1926–2017), American Major League Baseball first baseman/left fielder, 1949 AL Rookie of the Year, long-time professional known for consistent power hitti…