Biographies

Avery Brundage: Olympic Administrator and Controversial Defender of Amateurism Avery Brundage Avery Brundage (1887–1975) was an American sports official who led the International Olympic Committee from 1952 to 1972. His tenure emphasized strict amateurism and non-political…

Avery Dulles (1918–2008) — Jesuit theologian and Cardinal Avery Dulles Avery Dulles was an American Jesuit priest, influential Catholic theologian and cardinal, known for his writings on ecclesiology and decades of university teaching at Woodstock, Ca…

Avi Beker Israeli writer, diplomat and academic (1951–2015). Served as Secretary General of the World Jewish Congress (2001–2003) and was active in Jewish communal affairs, public diplomacy…

Avi Cohen — Israeli footballer, Liverpool player and national team figure Avi Cohen Avi Cohen (1956–2010) was an Israeli international right back who played for Maccabi Tel Aviv, Liverpool and Rangers, later serving Israeli players as an administrator, coach and m…

Avi Duan — Israeli politician (1955–2018) Avi Duan Avraham 'Avi' Duan was an Israeli Kadima politician who served in the Knesset from 2012 to 2013 and led Shaul Mofaz's 2008 Kadima leadership campaign.

Avi Gabbay: Israeli politician and former business executive Avi Gabbay Biography of Avi Gabbay, Israeli politician and former Bezeq CEO; overview of his career, political roles, public responsibilities, and notable distinctions.

Avi Ran — Israeli football goalkeeper Avi Ran Avi Ran (אבי רן) was an Israeli goalkeeper best known for his time with Maccabi Haifa and appearances for the Israel national team. He died young in a boating accident on the Sea o…

Avichai Rontzki: Israeli military rabbi, educator, and controversial figure Avichai Rontzki Avichai Rontzki (1951–2018) served as Chief Military Rabbi of the Israel Defense Forces (2006–2010) and headed a Hesder yeshiva in Itamar. His tenure blended religious leadership w…

Avicii (Tim Bergling) — Swedish DJ, remixer and record producer Avicii Avicii (Tim Bergling, 1989–2018) was a Swedish DJ and producer whose melodic electronic songs helped bring EDM into mainstream pop charts worldwide.

Avigdor Lieberman: Israeli politician and leader of Yisrael Beiteinu Avigdor Lieberman Biography and overview of Avigdor Lieberman, founder of Yisrael Beiteinu, his background, political career, main positions, and his role in Israeli politics.

Avijit Roy — Bangladeshi‑American writer, blogger and secular activist Avijit Roy Avijit Roy (1972–2015) was a Bangladeshi‑American engineer, writer and founder of a Bengali freethinker community. His 2015 murder in Dhaka drew international concern for free expr…

Avo Uvezian: Armenian-American Jazz Pianist and Cigar Entrepreneur Avo Uvezian Avo Uvezian (1926–2017) was an Armenian-American jazz pianist who performed with leading entertainers and later founded the Avo cigar brand, achieving notable commercial success.

Avraham Heffner Israeli film and television director, screenwriter, author and film professor (1935–2014), noted for character-driven works and his influence on Israeli cinema and film education.

Avram Glazer — American businessman and Manchester United co‑chairman Avram Glazer Profile of Avram Glazer, American businessman and joint‑chairman of Manchester United, covering his background, business roles, involvement with the club, controversies and persona…

Avril K. Henry — English academic and assisted-dying activist Avril Henry Avril K. Henry (1935–2016) was a British medievalist and campaigner for legal change on assisted dying whose death prompted public discussion about euthanasia, online availability…

Avril Lavigne: Canadian singer-songwriter and pop-punk influence Avril Lavigne Avril Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter known for early-2000s pop-punk hits, distinctive voice and guitar-driven songs. Her debut album Let Go launched a mainstream pop-punk…

Awadeya Mahmoud — Sudanese Tea Seller and Women's Rights Activist Awadeya Mahmoud Sudanese tea seller and grassroots organizer who founded cooperatives for women vendors and received the 2016 International Women of Courage Award for leadership in economic and so…

Awkwafina (Nora Lum) — American rapper, comedian, and actress Awkwafina Nora Lum, known as Awkwafina, is an American rapper and actress from New York City. She rose to fame through viral music and comedy, later earning critical praise and awards for fi…

Axel Berg (Norwegian footballer) Axel Berg (footballer) Axel August Berg (1938–2020) was a Norwegian football winger who spent a decade with Lyn and represented Norway internationally between 1959 and 1961.

Axel Pehrsson-Bramstorp Swedish agrarian politician (1883–1954) who led the Farmers' League and headed a short caretaker government as Prime Minister of Sweden in mid‑1936.

Axel Zwingenberger — German boogie-woogie and blues pianist Axel Zwingenberger Axel Zwingenberger (born 1955) is a Hamburg-born pianist known for championing boogie-woogie and blues piano in Europe through recordings, performances and teaching since the 1970s…

Axl Rose: American Rock Singer and Guns N' Roses Frontman Axl Rose Axl Rose (born William Bruce Bailey, 1962) is an American rock singer, songwriter, and frontman of Guns N' Roses, known for his wide vocal range, volatile leadership, and landmark…

Axl Rotten (Brian Knighton) — American professional wrestler and ECW figure Axl Rotten Overview of Brian Knighton (Axl Rotten), his training, career in ECW and other promotions, wrestling style, and circumstances of his 2016 death.

Axwell: Swedish DJ, producer and co‑founder of Swedish House Mafia Axwell Profile of Axwell (Sven Axel Hedfors), Swedish DJ and record producer, founder of Axtone Records, member of Swedish House Mafia, and influential figure in modern progressive and ho…

Aya Cash Aya Cash (born July 13, 1982) is an American actress noted for her work in television, film and stage, best known for her lead role in the comedy series You're the Worst and a Crit…

Aya Matsuura — Japanese pop idol, singer and actress Aya Matsuura Aya Matsuura (born 1986) is a Japanese singer and actress who rose to fame as a solo idol with Hello! Project. Known as “Ayaya”, she recorded pop singles, appeared on television an…

Aya Miyama: Japanese football midfielder and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup winner Aya Miyama Aya Miyama, Japanese football midfielder and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup winner, known for technical skill, set-piece prowess and leadership for club and national teams.

Aya Sameshima Aya Sameshima (born June 16, 1987) is a Japanese footballer known as a left back. She won the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup with Japan and earned an Olympic silver medal in 2012.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Somali-born Activist, Author, and Critic of Religious Practices Ayaan Hirsi Ali Ayaan Hirsi Ali (born 1969) is a Somali-born activist and author known for campaigning against female genital mutilation, critiquing political Islam, serving in Dutch politics, and…

Ayad Futayyih Al-Rawi: Iraqi Republican Guard General and Head of the Jerusalem Army Ayad Futayyih Al-Rawi Profile of Ayad Futayyih Al-Rawi (1942–2018), an Iraqi Republican Guard general who led the Al Quds (Jerusalem) Army, his military career, arrest after 2003 invasion, and later dea…

Ayaka (Japanese singer) Ayaka Ayaka (Ayaka Iida) is a Japanese singer-songwriter known for piano-led pop ballads, her 2006 debut, a health-related hiatus and a 2011 comeback that included forming an independent…

Ayaka Kimura (Nagate Ayaka) — Japanese actress and former Hello! Project idol Ayaka Kimura Japanese actress and former pop idol. Debuted in Coconuts Musume (Hello! Project) in 1999, became its sole member, left in 2008 to pursue acting, and later adopted the stage name N…

Ayan Sadakov Bulgarian midfielder and coach, long-serving Lokomotiv Plovdiv player, C.F. Os Belenenses alumnus, 80 caps for Bulgaria including the 1986 World Cup; later a manager and ALS patien…

Ayanna Pressley: U.S. Representative and progressive leader Ayanna Pressley Profile of Ayanna Pressley, U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 7th District since 2019, covering her career, political priorities, significance, and role within the progressiv…

Ayatollah Khomeini Iranian religious leader and central figure of the 1979 Islamic Revolution; founder of the Islamic Republic and its first Supreme Leader, influential in late 20th-century Middle Ea…

Ayaz Jani (Ayaz Hussain Memon) — Sindhi Poet and Journalist Ayaz Jani Ayaz Jani (1967–2016) was a Sindhi-language poet and journalist from Pakistan, known for romantic and lyrical verse, public recitals, and contributions to modern Sindhi literature…

Ayaz Mutallibov: First President of Independent Azerbaijan and Soviet-era Leader Ayaz Mutallibov Biography of Ayaz Mutallibov (1938–2022), last leader of Soviet Azerbaijan and the first president after independence; overview of his career, political crises, later life and lega…

Aydın Aybay (1929–2013) Aydın Aybay Turkish professor of civil law, author and lawyer. Co-founder of Istanbul University Faculty of Political Sciences, Maltepe University Faculty of Law and the Cumhuriyet Foundation;…

Aydın Boysan: Turkish Architect, Educator and Essayist Aydın Boysan A concise encyclopedia entry on Aydın Boysan (1921–2018), covering his architectural career, role in professional institutions, teaching, literary work, themes and cultural legacy.

Ayelet Zurer Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer (born 1969) is known for work in Israeli theatre and television and for roles in international films such as Angels & Demons and Man of Steel.

Ayman al‑Zawahiri: Egyptian Islamist Militant and al‑Qaeda Leader Ayman al-Zawahiri Overview of Ayman al‑Zawahiri (1951–2022), his background as an Egyptian physician, leadership of al‑Qaeda, affiliations, legal designation, and death in 2022.

Ayman Odeh Israeli Arab lawyer and politician from Haifa; long-time leader of Hadash and a central figure in the Joint List advocating equality, Arab–Jewish cooperation and social justice in…

Aymoré Moreira Brazilian football player and manager (1912–1998), best known for leading Brazil to the 1962 FIFA World Cup title and for a long career in Brazilian club football management.

Ayn Rand: Novelist, Philosopher and Founder of Objectivism Ayn Rand Overview of Ayn Rand (Alisa Rosenbaum), her major novels, the core ideas of Objectivism, career and influence, controversies, and her continuing cultural legacy.

Ayrton Senna — Brazilian Formula One driver and three-time world champion Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna (1960–1994) was a Brazilian Formula One driver, three-time world champion, known for exceptional qualifying speed, wet-weather mastery, a fierce rivalry with Alain Pro…

Ayşen Gruda — Turkish actress and comedic performer Ayşen Gruda Ayşen Gruda (1944–2019) was a celebrated Turkish stage and film actress known for comic roles, musical theatre, and more than 100 films during the Yeşilçam era.

Aytaç Yalman Turkish general Aytaç Yalman (1940–2020) commanded the Gendarmerie and the Turkish Army in the early 2000s; he later died of COVID-19 and was among the first high-profile Turkish f…

Ayub Bachchu: Bangladeshi guitarist and founder of LRB Ayub Bachchu Ayub Bachchu (1962–2018), Bangladeshi guitarist, singer and songwriter who founded rock band LRB and helped shape modern Bangla rock with melodic guitar work; influential frontman…