Biographies

Suraj Alao Abdurrahman — Nigerian military engineer and commander Suraj Abdurrahman Suraj Alao Abdurrahman (1954–2015) was a Nigerian architect and senior army engineer who served as Command Officer in Charge of the Armed Forces of Liberia and contributed to post‑…

Suranimala Rajapaksha — Sri Lankan politician and education minister Suranimala Rajapaksha Profile of Suranimala Rajapaksha (1949–2016), Sri Lankan United National Party politician, former Minister of School Education (2001–2004) and coordinating secretary to the prime m…

Surapong Tovichakchaikul Thai politician (1953–2020). Member of the Pheu Thai Party, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2011 to 2014 in Yingluck Shinawatra's government…

Suraya Pakzad Afghan women's rights activist who founded Voice of Women to support education, protection and legal aid for women and girls; recipient of the 2008 International Women of Courage A…

Surin Pitsuwan: Thai Diplomat, Foreign Minister, and ASEAN Leader Surin Pitsuwan Surin Pitsuwan (1949–2017), Thai politician and diplomat who served as Thailand's foreign minister and as ASEAN Secretary-General; noted for promoting regional integration, dialogu…

Surjit Singh Barnala Surjit Singh Barnala (1925–2017) was an Indian politician and Shiromani Akali Dal leader who served as Chief Minister of Punjab and later held long gubernatorial roles in Tamil Nad…

Susan Allen (1951–2015): American Harpist, Educator, and Innovator Susan Allen (musician) American harpist Susan Allen (1951–2015) was known for contemporary performance, extended techniques, improvisation, and teaching. She recorded widely and influenced harp practice…

Susan Bernard: actress, model, author and steward of Hollywood photography Susan Bernard American actress and model Susan Bernard (1948–2019) is known for her role in Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, her work as a Playboy model, and efforts to preserve her photographer f…

Susan Brown: American actress and interior designer Susan Brown Susan Brown (1932–2018) was an American television and film actress best known for her work on daytime soap operas, and later pursued interior design. She received a Daytime Emmy n…

Susan Dey American actress (born 1952) best known for Laurie Partridge on The Partridge Family and Grace Van Owen on L.A. Law; Golden Globe winner with a long television career.

Susan Hayward: life, career, and cultural legacy Susan Hayward Concise biography of actress Susan Hayward (1917–1975): early life in Brooklyn, rise from modeling to Hollywood stardom, major roles and awards, and lasting influence on film histo…

Susan Jameson (English actress) Susan Jameson English actress Susan Jameson (born 1941) is known for roles including Myra Booth in Coronation Street, Esther Lane in New Tricks and Mrs Wibbsey opposite Tom Baker in Doctor Who a…

Susanna Ramel — Swedish actress and centenarian (1920–2020) Susanna Ramel Biography of Susanna Ramel, a Swedish actress whose career spanned film and television from the late 1930s; mother of actress Lotta Ramel and a noted cultural figure who lived to 1…

Susannah Martin (1621–1692), accused in the Salem witch trials Susannah Martin Susannah Martin, born Susannah North and baptized in 1621, was one of the women convicted and executed for witchcraft during the 1692 Salem witch trials in colonial Massachusetts.

Susannah York: English film, stage and television actress Susannah York Overview of Susannah York (1939–2011), her career in film and theatre, major roles and awards, early life and training, personal life and death, and her cultural legacy.

Susanne Lothar German film, television and stage actress (1960–2012), noted for intense supporting roles and collaborations with director Michael Haneke in films such as The Piano Teacher and The…

Susanne Nyström — Swedish cross-country skier and nurse Susanne Nyström Susanne Nyström (born 29 December 1982) is a Swedish cross-country skier known for multiple Tjejvasan victories and a 2010 Vasaloppet win; she has represented several clubs and als…

Admiral Sushil Kumar (Indian Navy officer) Sushil Kumar (admiral) Indian Navy admiral Sushil Kumar Isaac served as Chief of Naval Staff; decorated with PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, NM. A native of Nagercoil, he later dropped his family surname and died on 2…

Susumu Ohno: geneticist and pioneer of gene duplication theory Susumu Ohno Susumu Ohno (1928–2000) was a Japanese-born geneticist who argued that gene duplication fuels evolutionary innovation, proposed ancient genome duplications in vertebrates, and coin…

Susumu Oki — Japanese association football player (born 1976) Susumu Oki Brief encyclopedic profile of Susumu Oki (大木 勉), a Japanese professional association football player born 23 February 1976, with context on his name, career background, and relevan…

Susumu Uemura — former Japanese football player (born 1964) Susumu Uemura Brief encyclopedic profile of Susumu Uemura (born 1964), a former Japanese footballer, with context on the era he played in, typical career paths for players of his generation, and…

Suthachai Yimprasert Thai historian (1956–2017) known for critical studies of modern Thai politics and state power, author of works translated as Plot to Take Over the Nation and State Crime Amidst Cha…

Suthan Suthersan — Sri Lankan–American Environmental Engineer and Technical Leader Suthan Suthersan Profile of Suthan Suthersan (1956–2017), an environmental engineer known for his leadership at Arcadis North America and contributions to remediation practice and environmental con…

Suthep Thaugsuban — Thai politician and protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban Suthep Thaugsuban (born 1949) is a Thai politician and activist, known for leading the People's Alliance for Democracy and organizing the large 2013–2014 anti-government protests i…

Suthep Wongkamhaeng: Thai Luk krung Crooner and National Artist Suthep Wongkamhaeng Suthep Wongkamhaeng (1934–2020) was a leading Thai crooner associated with the luk krung (urban song) tradition, celebrated for his smooth vocal style, popular recordings, and desi…

Emperor Sutoku (Sutoku-tennō) — 75th Emperor of Japan Sutoku Emperor Sutoku (1119–1164), the 75th emperor in Japan’s traditional succession, known for his abdication, role in the Hōgen Rebellion, exile to Sanuki and later reputation in Heian…

Sutopo Purwo Nugroho: Indonesian disaster communicator and civil servant Sutopo Purwo Nugroho Indonesian civil servant and public-relations head for the national disaster agency, known for clear crisis communication, teaching, and dedication during major disasters. Died in…

Suzanne Cleary American poet and professor from Binghamton, New York, known for lyric attention to everyday life; holds an M.A. from Washington University and a Ph.D. from Indiana University of P…

Suzanne Crough: American child actress best known for Tracy Partridge on The Partridge Family Suzanne Crough Biography of Suzanne Crough, American child actress who played Tracy Partridge on The Partridge Family (1970–1974). Covers her acting career, private later life, family and death a…

Suzanne Pleshette: American Actress (1937–2008) Suzanne Pleshette Actress Suzanne Pleshette was known for dramatic film roles and as Emily Hartley on The Bob Newhart Show; she also did voice work and stage work. Born in Brooklyn, she died of lung…

Suzanne Twelftree: Australian wheelchair tennis player and Paralympic powerlifter Suzanne Twelftree Biography and context for Suzanne 'Sue' Twelftree (1956–2019), an Australian wheelchair tennis competitor and Paralympic powerlifter who represented her sport at the 2000 Sydney Ga…

Suzi Quatro — American rock singer, bassist and pioneering performer Suzi Quatro Suzi Quatro (born 1950) is an American rock musician and bass player known for 1970s hits, leather-clad stage image, acting and radio work. Often called the 'Godmother of Rock', sh…

Sveinn Björnsson — First President of Iceland and WWII-era Regent Sveinn Björnsson Biography of Sveinn Björnsson (1881–1952), Icelandic statesman who served as Regent during World War II and became Iceland's first president when the republic was founded in 1944.

Sven Lindqvist: Swedish writer on colonialism, war and cultural encounters Sven Lindqvist Profile of Sven Lindqvist (1932–2019), a Swedish non-fiction writer known for essays and books on colonialism, genocide, bombing, and global histories shaped by European expansion.

Sverker II of Sweden Sverker II (c.1165–1210) was a Swedish king from the Sverker dynasty who reigned 1196–1208. His rule took place during intense dynastic rivalry; he was killed at the Battle of Gest…

Sverre Kjelsberg: Norwegian musician, composer and Eurovision performer Sverre Kjelsberg Biography of Sverre Kjelsberg, Norwegian singer, guitarist and songwriter known for The Pussycats and the 1980 Eurovision entry 'Sámiid Ædnan', his work with Sámi artists, and infl…

Svetlana Alexievich: oral historian and Nobel laureate in literature Svetlana Alexievich Belarusian investigative journalist and non‑fiction writer born in 1948, known for polyphonic oral histories about war, Soviet life and disaster; awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Li…

Svetlana Kuznetsova: Russian Grand Slam Champion and Tour Veteran Svetlana Kuznetsova Overview of Svetlana Kuznetsova, a Russian professional tennis player: career highlights, playing style, Grand Slam results, doubles and team play, and her influence on the WTA tou…

Svetlin Rusev — Bulgarian artist, collector and curator Svetlin Rusev Svetlin Rusev (1933–2018) was a prominent Bulgarian painter, curator and collector, best known for donating a permanent public collection of more than 400 works to the city of Plev…

Sviatoslav I, Prince of Kiev: warrior-ruler of the 10th century Sviatoslav I, Prince of Kiev Sviatoslav I was a 10th-century ruler of Kievan Rus'. A warrior prince known for his campaigns against the Khazars and in the Balkans, he reshaped regional power before his death i…

Svyatoslav Belza Russian literary and musical scholar, critic, essayist, and television presenter (1942–2014) known for popularising classical music and ballet and awarded People's Artist of Russia…

Swami Vivekananda: Life, Teachings, and Global Influence Swami Vivekananda Indian Hindu monk and reformer Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902) brought Vedanta and Yoga to the West, founded the Ramakrishna Mission, and inspired religious and social renewal in mod…

Swoosie Kurtz — American stage, film and television actress Swoosie Kurtz Profile of Swoosie Kurtz, an American actress from Omaha known for a long career on stage, television and film, including the TV drama Sisters and the film Liar Liar.

Sy Oliver: Jazz Arranger, Composer and Trumpeter Sy Oliver Profile of Sy Oliver, the influential American jazz arranger, trumpeter, composer and bandleader who shaped swing-era big bands and arranged for major singers and orchestras.

Sybil Christopher Welsh-born actress and theatre director (1929–2013). Active mainly on stage, founder of a New York nightclub, and first wife of actor Richard Burton; remembered for contributions t…

Sybil Ludington and the 1777 Night Ride: Legacy and Historical Debate Sybil Ludington Examine Sybil Ludington's 1777 night ride to rally militia, her place in Revolutionary lore, and historians' debates over the evidence, reported distance, and how her legacy has be…

Syd Barrett: Founder and Early Creative Voice of Pink Floyd Syd Barrett English singer, songwriter and painter who led early Pink Floyd, a pioneer of 1960s psychedelic rock; later recorded two solo albums and withdrew from public life in Cambridge.

Syd Mead: Neofuturist Conceptual Designer and Visual Futurist Syd Mead A concise overview of Syd Mead (1933–2019), American industrial designer and neofuturist concept artist known for visionary film production designs and influence on industrial and…