Biographies

Bert Trautmann — German Goalkeeper and Manchester City Legend Bert Trautmann Biography of Bert Trautmann (1923–2013), the German goalkeeper who became a celebrated Manchester City captain, noted for the 1956 FA Cup and his postwar reconciliation role.

Bert van de Kamp — Dutch music journalist (1947–2020) Bert van de Kamp Bert van de Kamp (1947–2020) was a Dutch music journalist who wrote for Muziekkrant OOR, reported from London, and received the inaugural Pop Pers Prijs for his contributions to po…

Bert Williams (English international goalkeeper) Bert Williams Profile of Bert Williams (1920–2014), English goalkeeper nicknamed “The Cat”, long-serving at Wolverhampton Wanderers, an England international and winner of domestic honours inclu…

Bertha Calloway: Omaha historian and community activist Bertha Calloway Bertha Calloway (1925–2017) was an influential Omaha community activist, historian and museum founder who preserved and promoted the history of African Americans in the Great Plain…

Bertha Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Bertha Krupp German heiress (1886–1957) of the Krupp industrial dynasty; legal proprietor of Friedrich Krupp AG (1902–1943) while the company was run by her husband and later passed to her son…

Bertha Sanseverino — Uruguayan politician and Broad Front representative Bertha Sanseverino Bertha Elba Sanseverino Mansilla (1946–2018) was a long‑time member of Uruguay's Broad Front coalition, a two‑term Montevideo departmental legislator and a national representative…

Bertha von Suttner — Austrian Novelist and Pacifist, Nobel Peace Laureate Bertha von Suttner Austrian-Bohemian novelist and leading pacifist (1843–1914). Author of Die Waffen nieder! and the first woman awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy of disarmament and inte…

Berthe Morisot — French Impressionist painter Berthe Morisot Berthe Morisot (1841–1895) was a central figure of French Impressionism, known for delicate brushwork and intimate depictions of domestic life. She exhibited with the Impressionist…

Berthold Leibinger: German engineer, industrial leader and philanthropist Berthold Leibinger German engineer and entrepreneur who led TRUMPF to prominence in industrial laser technology; founder of the Berthold Leibinger Stiftung and patron of science and the arts (1930–20…

Berti Vogts — German footballer and manager Berti Vogts Overview of Berti Vogts, German international defender famed for tenacity and marking, his club career at Borussia Mönchengladbach, international honours and later management of na…

Bertie Ahern Irish politician who served as Taoiseach (1997–2008), leader of Fianna Fáil, a key negotiator of the Good Friday Agreement and a central figure during Ireland's Celtic Tiger econom…

Bertil Fiskesjö (1928–2019) Bertil Fiskesjö Bertil Fiskesjö was a Swedish Centre Party politician who served in the Riksdag from 1971 to 1994 and was Third Deputy Speaker from 1986 to 1994.

Bertram Kostant American mathematician (1928–2017) whose work in Lie theory, representation theory and geometric methods produced influential tools such as the Kostant partition function and multi…

Bertrand Blier: French screenwriter and film director Bertrand Blier Overview of Bertrand Blier (born 1939), his career as a screenwriter and director, major films and awards, stylistic traits, influence on French cinema and notable distinctions.

Bertrand Delanoë — French mayor and Socialist Party figure Bertrand Delanoë Bertrand Delanoë (born 1950) served as Mayor of Paris (2001–2014). A Socialist Party politician, he led major urban reforms, promoted cultural events, survived a stabbing in 2002 a…

Bertrand du Guesclin Fourteenth-century Breton knight and military leader who became Constable of France (1370–1380) and helped revive French fortunes in the Hundred Years' War under Charles V.

Bertrice Small Bertrice Small (1937–2015) was an American New York Times bestselling novelist best known for historical and erotic romance fiction, a prolific writer whose novels featured sweepin…

Beryl Wayne Sprinkel American economist and chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors under President Reagan (1985–1989), known for monetarist views and influence on 1980s macroeconomic policy.

Besian Idrizaj Austrian football forward (1987–2010) who played in Austria and England, including Swansea City; remembered for his promise and untimely death from a heart-related collapse.

Bess Armstrong (American actress) Bess Armstrong American actress born in 1953 in Baltimore. Began on stage and built a long career in television and film, including the 1986 feature Nothing in Common. Overview, career, and notab…

Bess Myerson — Miss America, television personality, and public official Bess Myerson Bess Myerson (1924–2014) was Miss America 1945, the only Jewish winner to date, a frequent 1950s–60s television personality, and later a New York City public official whose career…

Bess Truman — First Lady of the United States (1945–1953) Bess Truman Biography of Elizabeth 'Bess' Truman, a private and influential First Lady (1945–1953), wife of President Harry S. Truman, her life, public role, personality, and legacy.

Besse Cooper: American supercentenarian (1896–2012) Besse Cooper Besse Cooper (August 26, 1896 – December 4, 2012) was an American supercentenarian who reached age 116 and was at times recognized as the oldest living person in the United States.

Bessie Smith — life, music, and legacy of the Empress of the Blues Bessie Smith Bessie Smith (c.1892–1937), the 'Empress of the Blues', was a leading American blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s. This article covers her life, recordings, vocal style, influence…

Beth Behrs: American actress known for 2 Broke Girls Beth Behrs Profile of Beth Behrs, an American actress born in 1985, best known for starring in the CBS sitcom 2 Broke Girls and for her early film debut in American Pie Presents: The Book of…

Beth Carvalho — Brazilian samba singer and cultural advocate Beth Carvalho Brazilian samba singer Beth Carvalho (1946–2019) was a guitarist, cavaquinist and composer who championed traditional samba, promoted composers and highlighted regional cultural th…

Beth Ditto — American singer-songwriter and cultural figure Beth Ditto Beth Ditto, born February 19, 1981, is an American singer-songwriter and frontwoman of the band Gossip, known for a powerful voice, dance-punk sound, LGBTQ activism, and fashion co…

Beth Howland — American actress best known for Vera on Alice Beth Howland Biography of Beth Howland (1941–2015), an American actress who worked on stage, film and television and became widely known for her role as Vera Gorman in the sitcom Alice.

Beth Phoenix — American professional wrestler and WWE commentator Beth Phoenix Overview of Beth Phoenix, a retired professional wrestler and current WWE commentator known as the 'Glamazon', covering her career, style, championships, and legacy.

Beth Tweddle: British artistic gymnast and multiple world champion Beth Tweddle Beth Tweddle is a retired British artistic gymnast, three-time Olympian and multi-time World champion. She was the first British woman to medal at European, World and Olympic level…

Beth Whittall (1936–2015) — Canadian swimmer and pharmacist Beth Whittall Elizabeth “Beth” Whittall was a Canadian breaststroke and freestyle competitor who won Commonwealth and Pan American medals, later setting masters records and pursuing a career in…

Beto O'Rourke — American politician and 2018 Senate, 2020 presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke Robert 'Beto' O'Rourke is an American politician and businessman known for his 2018 U.S. Senate campaign in Texas, a 2020 presidential bid, and a 2022 run for governor of Texas.

Betrayal (1983 film) Betrayal (movie) A film adaptation of Harold Pinter's play about a seven-year extramarital affair, directed by David Jones and noted for its reverse-chronology structure and strong performances by…

Betsy Blair — American film and stage actress (1923–2009) Betsy Blair Betsy Blair (Elizabeth Winifred Boger) was an American film and stage actress noted for character work in mid-20th-century cinema, remembered for roles in Marty and A Double Life a…

Betsy Byars — American children's author Betsy Byars Profile of Betsy Byars (1928–2020), American author of children's fiction; overview of major works, themes, career highlights, awards and brief biography.

Betsy DeVos American businesswoman and education advocate who served as U.S. Secretary of Education (2017–2021); known for promoting school choice, voucher programs, and regulatory rollbacks i…

Betsy Palmer (1926–2015) Betsy Palmer American actress known for game-show panel work and for playing Pamela Voorhees in Friday the 13th; a career spanning theatre, television and film with roots in Chicago.

Betsy Ross: seamstress, Revolutionary-era figure, and American symbol Betsy Ross Betsy Ross (Elizabeth Griscom; 1752–1836) was a Philadelphia seamstress long associated with the creation of an early American flag. Her role is part documented and part family leg…

Bette Davis: life, career, and legacy of a Hollywood icon Bette Davis Comprehensive overview of Bette Davis (1908–1989): her life, acting style, major films, awards, controversies, and lasting influence on cinema and popular culture.

Bette Henritze: American character actress known for Off-Broadway and film roles Bette Henritze Bette Henritze (1924–2018) was an American actress celebrated for decades of work on Off-Broadway stages and in supporting roles in film and television; Obie Award recipient in 196…

Bette Midler — American singer, actress and comedian Bette Midler Bette Midler (born 1945) is an American performer known for her powerful singing, comic stage persona and film roles such as Beaches and Hocus Pocus. She has had a multi-decade car…

Bettie Page: 1950s Pin-up Model and Cultural Icon Bettie Page Bettie Page (1923–2008) was an American pin‑up model whose 1950s photographs and short underground films made her an enduring influence on fashion, photography, fetish art and popu…

Bettino Craxi: Italian Prime Minister and Socialist Party Leader Bettino Craxi Bettino Craxi (1934–2000) was an influential Italian politician, leader of the Italian Socialist Party and prime minister from 1983 to 1987. His tenure modernized government policy…

Bettino Ricasoli (1809–1880): Italian statesman and the 'Iron Baron' Bettino Ricasoli Italian noble and politician who served twice as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Italy, mayor of Florence, steward of the Brolio estate, known for austerity, integrity, and influe…

Betty Aberlin: Actress, Poet, and Television Figure Betty Aberlin Profile of Betty Aberlin, the American actress and writer best known as Lady Aberlin on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, with highlights of her television, film, stage and literary wor…

Betty Azar and the Azar Grammar Series Betty Azar Profile of Betty Schrampfer Azar, creator of the Azar Grammar Series for ESL/EFL learners; explains the series' approach, main textbooks, development, classroom uses, and notable f…

Betty Boothroyd, Baroness Boothroyd: British MP and First Female Speaker Betty Boothroyd Biography and legacy of Betty Boothroyd (1929–2023), Labour MP and the first woman to serve as Speaker of the UK House of Commons, later a life peer and Crossbench member of the Ho…

Betty Buckley: American Actress and Singer, Tony Winner and Stage Veteran Betty Buckley Overview of Betty Buckley (born 1947), her stage and screen career, major roles and awards, early life, recordings, and influence in American musical theatre and television.