Biographies

Thomas Keneally (Australian novelist and historian) Thomas Keneally Thomas Keneally (born 1935) is an Australian novelist best known for Schindler's Ark. He has written historical fiction, won major literary prizes, and played a public role in civi…

Thomas Klestil (1932–2004): Austrian diplomat and president Thomas Klestil A concise overview of Thomas Klestil, Austrian diplomat and People's Party politician who served as president from 1992–2004, his career, controversies, personal life and legacy.

Thomas Kretschmann — German film and television actor Thomas Kretschmann Profile of German actor Thomas Kretschmann (born 1962), summarizing his early life, international career, notable roles and public profile, with selected film highlights and person…

Thomas Kuhn: philosopher of science and the idea of paradigm shift Thomas Kuhn Thomas S. Kuhn (1922–1996) was an American physicist and historian/philosopher of science best known for introducing the concept of the paradigm shift and reshaping how scientific…

Thomas Kyd — English dramatist and author of The Spanish Tragedy Thomas Kyd English playwright Thomas Kyd (1558–1594) wrote The Spanish Tragedy, a foundational revenge drama. He influenced Elizabethan theatre, helped popularize blank verse, and left a deba…

Thomas Lawrence (1769–1830): Leading Portrait Painter of the British Regency Thomas Lawrence Thomas Lawrence was an English portrait painter who rose from child prodigy in Bristol to become President of the Royal Academy and the most sought-after portraitist of the Regency…

Thomas Meehan: American playwright and librettist (1929–2017) Thomas Meehan Profile of Thomas Meehan, the American writer best known for the books of Annie, The Producers and Hairspray; his career, collaborations, awards and legacy.

Thomas Merton: Trappist monk, writer, and influential contemplative Thomas Merton Thomas Merton (1915–1968) was an American Trappist monk and prolific writer whose books on contemplative spirituality, social conscience, and interfaith dialogue influenced modern…

Thomas Middleton (1580–1627) Thomas Middleton English dramatist Thomas Middleton was a prolific Jacobean playwright known for satirical city comedies and dark tragedies, including The Revenger's Tragedy and The Changeling (wit…

Thomas Moore: Irish poet, songwriter and author of Irish Melodies and Lalla Rookh Thomas Moore Thomas Moore (1779–1852) was an Irish poet and songwriter known for Irish Melodies, Lalla Rookh, and his association with Lord Byron; his songs shaped 19th‑century Irish cultural i…

Thomas More: English statesman, lawyer and author of Utopia Thomas More Sir Thomas More (1478–1535) was an English lawyer, statesman and humanist writer best known for his book Utopia, his service under Henry VIII, and his execution after refusing the…

Thomas Nast: Father of the American Cartoon — Life, Work, and Legacy Thomas Nast Thomas Nast (1840–1902), German-born American cartoonist who shaped political symbols, exposed corruption and popularized images like Uncle Sam and Santa Claus; a groundbreaking bu…

Thomas Newcomen and the First Practical Atmospheric Steam Engine Thomas Newcomen English ironmonger and inventor Thomas Newcomen (1664–1729) built the first practical atmospheric steam engine to pump water from mines, an important step in early steam technology…

Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle: Whig statesman and prime minister Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle Comprehensive overview of Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle (1693–1768): his offices, political style, two terms as prime minister, role in mid‑18th century Whig politics…

Thomas Robert Malthus: life, ideas and influence Thomas Robert Malthus Overview of Thomas Robert Malthus (1766–1834), his population theory, contributions to political economy, key concepts such as preventive and positive checks, and his lasting influ…

Thomas Robinson, 1st Baronet Rokeby (1703–1777) Thomas Robinson, 1st Baronet Rokeby English 18th-century amateur architect and collector; created a baronet of Rokeby in 1730; remembered for his library of architecture and antiquities and for familial bequests.

Thomas Rogers — Mayflower passenger and Leiden Separatist Thomas Rogers English-born Thomas Rogers (c.1572–winter 1620/21) was a Leiden Separatist and Mayflower passenger who sailed with his son in 1620, signed the Mayflower Compact, and died in the co…

Thomas J. Ryan Jr. — U.S. Navy rear admiral and peacetime Medal of Honor recipient Thomas Ryan Biography of Thomas John Ryan Jr. (1901–1970), a career United States naval officer who rose to rear admiral and received the Medal of Honor for actions taken during peacetime.

Thomas S. Monson American religious leader, writer, and sixteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, remembered for decades of church administration, public service, and…

Thomas Schäfer (1966–2020): German CDU politician and Hesse finance minister Thomas Schäfer German politician Thomas Schäfer (1966–2020) served as Hesse's Minister of Finance from 2010 to 2020. A CDU member, he was known for his role in state budgets and political leaders…

Thomas Stuttaford British physician, author and long-time medical columnist who served as a Conservative MP (1970–1974) and wrote widely for national press and magazines.

Thomas the Apostle (Saint Thomas) Thomas the Apostle One of the Twelve apostles of Jesus, known as Didymus ('the twin') and remembered for doubting the Resurrection, early non‑canonical traditions, and a long association with Christi…

Thomas Tinker — Mayflower passenger and early Separatist settler Thomas Tinker Thomas Tinker (c.1581–1620/21) was a Separatist who sailed on the Mayflower with his wife and son. Listed among the Mayflower Compact signers, he died in the colony's first winter.

Thomas Wayne (Batman character) Thomas Wayne Thomas Wayne is a fictional Gotham physician, philanthropist and father of Bruce Wayne whose murder shapes the Batman mythos; he appears in comics, alternate timelines and multiple…

Thomas Weelkes (1576–1623) — English madrigal composer and organist Thomas Weelkes English composer and organist Thomas Weelkes is noted for expressive madrigals and Anglican church music; his works remain central to early English choral repertory.

Sir Thomas White (1492–1567), English merchant and founder of St John's College Thomas White (merchant) Sir Thomas White was a 16th‑century English cloth merchant, civic leader and philanthropist best known for founding St John's College, Oxford and for his charitable endowments in T…

Thomas Wolfe (1900–1938) Thomas Wolfe American novelist celebrated for autobiographical, expansive prose in novels like Look Homeward, Angel and You Can't Go Home Again; influential voice in early 20th-century American…

Thomas Wyatt (1503–1542) — English poet, diplomat, and courtier Thomas Wyatt English Renaissance poet and diplomat often credited with bringing the sonnet into English; known for translations from Italian, courtly lyrics, and influence on later Elizabethan…

Thompson Mann (Harold Thompson Mann) — American Olympic swimmer Thompson Mann American backstroke specialist and 1964 Olympic gold medalist; leadoff for the U.S. medley relay that set a world record, set an individual 100m backstroke world record, born in No…

Thor Bjarne Bore (1938–2019) — Norwegian newspaper editor and civic leader Thor Bjarne Bore Norwegian editor Thor Bjarne Bore led several newspapers, chaired Norwegian Church Aid, and served in local politics. He shaped regional and Christian press from the 1960s into the…

Thor Hansen (1947–2018) — Norwegian professional poker player Thor Hansen Thor Hansen was a leading Norwegian poker professional, two-time WSOP bracelet winner, and an early international representative of Norwegian tournament and cash-game play.

Thor Vilhjalmsson Icelandic novelist and cultural figure (1925–2011), noted for modernist prose, introspective themes, and the Nordic Council Literary Prize–winning novel Grámosinn glóir.

Thurgood Marshall: Civil Rights Lawyer and First African American Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall Overview of Thurgood Marshall (1908–1993): his life, legal career with the NAACP, landmark cases including Brown v. Board, judicial service, positions such as opposition to capital…

Thutmose I — Egyptian pharaoh of the early 18th Dynasty Thutmose I Thutmose I was an 18th Dynasty Egyptian king who expanded Egypt’s frontiers, initiated major construction at temple complexes and chose a royal tomb in the Valley of the Kings.

Thutmose II, Pharaoh of Egypt’s Eighteenth Dynasty Thutmose II Thutmose II (c.1493–1479 BCE) was a short-reigning Eighteenth Dynasty pharaoh. His rule saw limited building and brief military actions; he is chiefly remembered for his marriage t…

Thutmose III: Egyptian pharaoh and architect of an imperial age Thutmose III Thutmose III, sixth ruler of Egypt's Eighteenth Dynasty, was a long-reigning pharaoh who established Egypt's greatest imperial reach through military campaigns, building projects a…

Tiberius Claudius Cogidubnus 1st‑century client king of the Regnenses in southern Britain who allied with Rome after the Claudian invasion; known from inscriptions and linked to Fishbourne Palace and Chicheste…

Tiberius Gracchus Roman politician (c.163/162–133 BC) whose agrarian reform and use of the tribunate challenged the Senate; his violent death marked a turning point in the late Republic.

Tibor Rubin: Holocaust survivor and Korean War Medal of Honor recipient Tibor Rubin Tibor Rubin (1929–2015) was a Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor who emigrated to the United States, served as a soldier in the Korean War, and received the Medal of Honor after a l…

Tiede Herrema (1921–2020) Tiede Herrema Dutch businessman who managed a wire factory in Limerick and was the victim of a 1975 high‑profile kidnapping by the Provisional IRA; released after a prolonged siege and later rem…

Tiffany (given name) Tiffany is an English female given name derived from the Greek Theophania, historically associated with Epiphany; it has many modern spellings, diminutives, and notable bearers in…

Tignous (Bernard Verlhac): French cartoonist and satirical artist Tignous Overview of Bernard Verlhac (Tignous), his artistic style, career with Charlie Hebdo, themes and legacy, and his death in the 2015 attack on the magazine.

Tigran Petrosian: World Chess Champion and Master of Prophylaxis Tigran Petrosian Tigran Petrosian (1929–1984) was a Soviet Armenian grandmaster, World Chess Champion from 1963–1969, celebrated for his defensive, prophylactic style and major contributions to mod…

Tigranes the Great (Tigranes II) — King of Armenia, c. 95–55 BCE Tigranes the Great Tigranes II, called Tigranes the Great, ruled the Artaxiad kingdom c.95–55 BCE. He built a Hellenistic, multiethnic state, expanded into Anatolia and Syria, fought Rome and Parthia…

Tiki Barber Tiki Barber is a former NFL running back best known for his years with the New York Giants, later a broadcaster, author and business figure; he is the identical twin of Ronde Barbe…

Tila Tequila (Nguyễn Thị Thiên Thanh) Tila Tequila Vietnamese American media personality, model and singer who rose to prominence via early social media and MTV's A Shot at Love; later known for controversial public statements and…

Tilly van der Zwaard (1938–2019) Tilly van der Zwaard Dutch middle-distance runner who won bronze in the 400 m at the 1962 European Championships and competed in the 1964 and 1968 Olympics.

Tilopa: Indian mahasiddha and source of the Kagyu Mahamudra tradition Tilopa Tilopa (c. 988–1069) was an Indian tantric mahasiddha whose concise, experiential teachings on Mahamudra were transmitted through Naropa and became foundational for the Kagyu schoo…