Biographies

Sadullah Khan Umarzai (1880–1948) — Pashtun political figure in NWFP Sadullah Khan Umarzai Sadullah Khan Umarzai (1880–1948) was a Pashtun political activist from the North-West Frontier Province who participated in the Muslim demand for a separate Pakistan and in region…

Sadun Boro — Turkish sailor and author; first Turkish circumnavigator Sadun Boro Sadun Boro (1928–2015) was a Turkish sailor and writer, noted as the first Turkish person to complete a global circumnavigation (1965–1968). He documented his voyage and influenced…

Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui — Pakistani jurist and senior judicial figure Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui Overview of Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui (1938–2017), a Pakistani jurist who served on the Supreme Court and held senior judicial office during a period of constitutional crisis; career,…

Şafak Pavey — Turkish writer, politician, and disability rights advocate Şafak Pavey Turkish writer and politician, first disabled woman elected to the Turkish parliament; member of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and 2012 International…

Sage Stallone (1976–2012) Sage Stallone American actor and film producer, son of Sylvester Stallone, best known for Rocky V (1990). Active in independent film; died in Studio City, Los Angeles in 2012 from heart disease…

Sahabzada Yaqub Khan: Pakistani Soldier, Diplomat and Statesman Sahabzada Yaqub Khan Profile of Sahabzada Yaqub Khan (1920–2016), a senior Pakistani general and long-serving diplomat who shaped Pakistan's foreign relations as ambassador and foreign minister during…

Sahana Pradhan Nepali communist leader and senior politician (1927–2014). Longtime activist, cabinet minister and one of Nepal’s most prominent women in left-wing politics, she served as foreign…

Sahih al-Bukhari Sahi al-Bukhari A principal Sunni collection of hadith compiled by Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari; regarded as the most authentic book after the Qur'an in Sunni Islam and central to jurisprudence…

Sai Baba of Shirdi: life, teachings, and legacy Sai Baba of Shirdi Overview of Sai Baba of Shirdi (d. 1918): his uncertain origins, simple lifestyle in Shirdi, core teachings of unity and service, the shrine at Shirdi, and his enduring interfaith…

Said Akl: Lebanese poet, playwright and language reformer Said Akl Said Akl (1912–2014) was a major Lebanese poet and intellectual who promoted Lebanese cultural identity and created a Latin-based alphabet for the spoken Lebanese variety amid a lo…

Saif al-Arab al-Gaddafi Saif al-Arab Gaddafi One of the sons of Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, Saif al-Arab al-Gaddafi was killed during the 2011 uprising; his death remains associated with NATO-led operations and the wide…

Saigō Takamori: Leader of the Satsuma Rebellion and Meiji-era samurai Saigō Takamori Saigō Takamori (1828–1877) was a samurai and senior leader in the Meiji Restoration who later led the Satsuma Rebellion against the new imperial government, becoming a lasting symb…

Saint Anna (Anne), Mother of the Virgin Mary Saint Anna Saint Anna (Anne) is venerated as the mother of Mary and the grandmother of Jesus. Her story comes from early Christian tradition and apocryphal writings and she is honored across…

Saint Cecilia: Patroness of Musicians and Early Christian Martyr Saint Cecilia Saint Cecilia, celebrated on November 22, is revered as the patroness of musicians. Her story blends early Christian hagiography, a Roman burial site, artistic depiction with music…

Saint Denis — early bishop, martyr, and patron saint of France Saint Denis Saint Denis, traditionally the first bishop of Paris and patron saint of France, is remembered for his martyrdom, the cephalophore legend, and the Basilica of Saint-Denis as a roya…

Saint Dominic (Dominic de Guzmán): Founder of the Dominican Order Saint Dominic Saint Dominic (1170–1221), Spanish priest who founded the Order of Preachers (Dominicans); known for preaching, scholarship, and influence on medieval religious life. Patron of ast…

Saint Finbarr (Finbarr of Cork) Saint Finbarr 6th–7th century Irish bishop and monastic founder venerated as the patron saint of Cork; associated with Gougane Barra and commemorated in local dedications and a major cathedral.

Saint Joachim, father of the Virgin Mary Saint Joachim Saint Joachim is traditionally regarded as the father of Mary and grandfather of Jesus; his story appears in apocryphal writings and he is venerated across Christian traditions, wi…

Saint Joseph: Husband of Mary and Patron of Families and Workers Saint Joseph Saint Joseph, husband of Mary and legal father of Jesus, is a central figure in Christian tradition—known for his guardianship, humility, and role as patron of workers, families an…

Saint Lucy (Lucia) — Early Christian Martyr and Patron of the Blind Saint Lucy Saint Lucy (c. 283–304) was a Christian martyr from Syracuse, Sicily, venerated as a virgin martyr and patron of the blind and those with eye trouble; her feast is observed on Dece…

Saint Margaret of Scotland Anglo-Saxon princess and queen consort (c.1045–1093), noted for piety, church reform, charity, and as mother of Scottish kings; canonized and influential in Scotland's ecclesiastic…

Saint Mesrop Mashtots — Creator of the Armenian Alphabet Saint Mesrob Saint Mesrop Mashtots (c.360–440) was an Armenian monk, theologian and linguist credited with creating the Armenian alphabet around 405 AD, fostering literacy, liturgy translation…

Saint Nicholas (Nicholas of Myra) Saint Nicholas Saint Nicholas (c. 270–343) was a 4th-century Christian bishop of Myra famed for charitable acts and legendary miracles; he is widely venerated in Eastern and Western Christianity…

Saint Roch (Rocco) — patron against plague and protector of the falsely accused Saint Roch Saint Roch (c.1295–c.1327) is a Catholic saint invoked against plague and contagious disease. Feast day 16 August; commonly depicted as a pilgrim with a plague sore and a dog.

Saint Sebastian Saint Sebastian (died c. 268) was an early Christian martyr venerated in Catholic and Orthodox churches, famed for the arrow-bound image in art and his patronage of soldiers, arche…

Saint Stephen, the Protomartyr of Christianity Saint Stephen Saint Stephen, called the Protomartyr, is described in Acts as the first Christian martyr. He was one of the Seven appointed to serve the Hellenist community and was stoned after a…

Saint Walburga (Walpurga) — English missionary and medieval saint Saint Walburga English-born missionary, Benedictine abbess and saint (c.710–777/779). Remembered for missionary work in the Frankish lands, her feast days (Feb 25 and May 1) and cultural legacy i…

Saitō Makoto Japanese admiral and statesman (1858–1936). Saitō Makoto served as Governor-General of Korea and as Prime Minister of Japan; he was assassinated during the February 26 Incident.

Saizo Saito (1908–2004), Japanese footballer Saizo Saito Saizo Saito (斎藤 才三, 1908–2004) was an early Japanese international footballer who represented the Japan national team; surviving records are limited but he is part of Japan's pione…

Sajida Mubarak Atrous al-Rishawi Iraqi woman involved in the 2005 Amman hotel bombings; convicted in Jordan and executed in 2015 amid efforts to exchange her for a captured Jordanian pilot.

Sakae Takahashi (Japanese footballer) Sakae Takahashi Sakae Takahashi (高橋栄) was a Japanese footballer who represented the Japan national team. This article summarizes the limited public record and places him in the broader history of…

Sakanoue no Tamuramaro Early Heian-period Japanese general and one of the first holders of the title Sei-i Taishogun, noted for military campaigns in northern Honshu and his role in consolidating imperia…

Saki Kumagai: Japanese football defender and international leader Saki Kumagai Profile of Saki Kumagai, a Japanese footballer known for defensive versatility, leadership, club success in Europe and a key role in Japan's international achievements.

Sakyo Komatsu (Sakyō Komatsu) — Japanese science fiction novelist Sakyo Komatsu Sakyo Komatsu (1931–2011) was a leading Japanese science fiction writer, best known for the disaster novel Japan Sinks. His work reshaped postwar SF in Japan and inspired films, TV…

Salvatore Maroni Sal Maroni Salvatore Maroni is a fictional Gotham crime boss in the Batman mythos, known for his role in organized crime storylines and for his connection to Harvey Dent/Two-Face; appears acr…

Sal Mineo: Actor, Teen Idol, and Tragic Figure Sal Mineo Sal Mineo (1939–1976) was an American actor best known as 'Plato' in Rebel Without a Cause. A two-time Academy Award nominee, he had a varied film and stage career and was murdered…

Saladin (Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn Yūsuf ibn Ayyūb): Life, campaigns, and legacy Saladin Muslim Kurdish leader Saladin (1137/8–1193) founded the Ayyubid dynasty, reclaimed Jerusalem in 1187, and became a lasting symbol of military skill, political reform, and cross-cul…

Salah Stétié Lebanese poet, translator and diplomat who wrote mainly in French; a leading voice of Arab francophone literature, born in Beirut in 1929 and died in Paris in 2020.

Salahuddin Wahid (Gus Solah) — Indonesian Islamic Scholar, Activist, and Politician Salahuddin Wahid Salahuddin Wahid (1942–2020), known as Gus Solah, was a prominent Indonesian Islamic scholar and human rights advocate, active in Nahdlatul Ulama circles, national politics, and pu…

Saleisha Stowers — Model and Winner of America's Next Top Model Cycle 9 Saleisha Stowers Saleisha Stowers (born January 10, 1986) is an American model who won Cycle 9 of America's Next Top Model in 2007; she later signed with Elite Model Management and won a CoverGirl…

Sally Beauman — English journalist and novelist Sally Beauman Sally Beauman (1944–2016) was an English journalist and bestselling novelist. She published eight novels, including Destiny and Rebecca's Tale, and was noted for historical detail,…

Sally Eilers Sally Eilers (1908–1978) was an American film actress who rose to prominence in Hollywood in the 1930s, best known for melodramas and comedies and for her transition from silent-er…

Sally Gray (Constance Vera Browne) — English film actress Sally Gray English film actress (1916–2006) known as Sally Gray. Prominent in 1930s–1940s melodramas and romantic films; remembered for roles in Cheer Up (1936) and Dangerous Moonlight (1941)…

Sally Kellerman (1937–2022) Sally Kellerman American actress and singer best known for her Oscar‑nominated role in the film M*A*S*H and appearances on television and stage. Her career spanned film, TV and music across severa…

Sally Kirkland (fashion editor) Sally Kirkland (editor) American fashion editor Sally Kirkland (1912–1989) was a longtime Vogue editor who promoted European couture in the United States and received Italian and U.S. honors for her work.

Sally Menke: Film and Television Editor Best Known for Her Work with Quentin Tarantino Sally Menke Profile of Sally Menke (1953–2010), an American film and television editor noted for shaping the pace and structure of Quentin Tarantino's films and for her documentary work.

Sally Rand (Hattie Helen Gould Beck) — American dancer and film performer Sally Rand Sally Rand (1904–1979), born Hattie Helen Gould Beck, was an American silent-film actress and a vaudeville and burlesque performer best known for her fan and bubble dances and long…

Salmaan Taseer — Pakistani politician and Governor of Punjab Salmaan Taseer Pakistani politician Salmaan Taseer (1944–2011) served as Governor of Punjab, was a businessman and PPP member, noted for opposing Pakistan's blasphemy laws; he was assassinated by…