May 13 Birthday: Arthur Sullivan

Arthur Sullivan, musician
May 13, 1842-November 22, 1900

Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1993)

Half of the popular Gilbert & Sullivan duo, Sullivan was an English composer who first worked with Gilbert in 1871.

Visit the Gilbert and Sullivan Archive at Boise State today.

May 13 Birthday: Ritchie Valens

Ritchie Valens, musician
May 13, 1941-February 3, 1959

Shake, Rattle & Roll: The Founders of Rock & Roll by Holly George-Warren, illustrated by Laura Levine (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)

Valens was the California music sensation and singer of Donna and La Bamba. He was the first Mexican-American rock and roll star. Unfortunately he died in a small plane crash along with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.

Go to the Ritchie Valens Official Web Site for information on his life, his music and his family.

May 13 Birthday: Joe Louis

Joe Louis, athlete
May 13, 1914-Apr. 12, 1981

Joe Louis: America’s Fighter by David A. Adler, illustrated by Terry Widener (Gulliver, 2005)

After seeing boxers at a gym, Louis found his calling. He was known as the "Brown Bomber."

Read more about Louis at his Official Site.

May 12 Birthday: Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale, nurse
May 12, 1820-Aug. 13, 1910

A Picture Book of Florence Nightingale by David A. Adler, illustrated by John Wallner and Alexandra Wallner (Holiday House, 1997)

Nurse extraordinaire, Nightingale changed her profession for the better and served with compassionate care.

Read a bio of Nightingale at the The Florence Nightingale Museum in the UK.

May 11 Birthday: Harriet Quimby

Harriet Quimby, pilot
May 11, 1875-July 1, 1912

Brave Harriet: The First Woman to Fly the English Channel by Marissa Moss, illustrated by C.F. Payne (Silver Whistle, 2001)

Quimby’s incredible accomplishment was overwhelmed by the press coverage of the sinking of the Titanic. Nonetheless, she made history.

Visit the Harriet Quimby Home Page for photos and more.

May 11 Birthday: Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali, artist
May 11, 1904-Jan. 23, 1989

Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces and Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1995)

A Spanish painter known for his surrealist style is spotlighted in this collective biography.

The Salvador Dali Museum hosts a site with images from the collection.

May 10 Birthday: Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin

Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, astronomer
May 10, 1900-Dec. 7, 1979

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)

“Stellar Atmospheres, A Contribution to the Observational Study of High Temperature in the Reversing Layers of Stars” anyone? That was the title of Payne-Gaposchkin’s dissertation, who excelled at Harvard as a student and a professor.

On a site about Notable American Unitarians, read more about Payne-Gaposchkin.

May 10 Birthday: Quah Ah

Quah Ah aka Tonita Pena, artist
May 10, 1893-Sept. 9, 1949

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)

A Pueblo painter, Pena’s lively work inspired other women to stretch their artistic bounds.

See a photo of Pena at the Purdue site.

May 8 Birthday: Harry Truman

Harry Truman, U.S. President
May 8, 1884-Dec. 26, 1972

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

The sign on Truman's desk read "The Buck Stops Here." This piano-playing 33rd president held watermelon spitting wars in the White House.

The Truman Presidential Museum & Library is the source for Truman research.

May 8 Birthday: Robert Leroy Johnson

Robert Leroy Johnson, musician
May 8, 1911-Aug. 16, 1938

The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World by Julius Lester, illustrated by Lisa Cohen (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2001)

Johnson, a gifted guitar player and singer died young. However, his legacy lives on in the likes of Dylan, the Stones and Clapton.

The Robert Johnson Blues Foundation site features an article from the LA Times about this famous bluesman.

May 7 Birthday: Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky

Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky, musician
May 7, 1840-Nov. 6, 1893

Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1993)

Composer of the Nutcracker Suite, this Russian musician also scored the 1812 Overture. Da-da-da-daaaa.

The PBS Great Performances site hosts a biography of Tchaikovsky.

May 7 Birthday: Eva Peron

Eva Peron, politician
May 7, 1919-July 26, 1952

Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 2000)

The First Lady of Argentina was a powerful presence in the political arena in Latin America and the world.

Read about Peron’s legacy at the Official Evita Peron Website.

May 7 Birthday: Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms, musician
May 7, 1863-Apr. 3, 1897

Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1993)

Brahms, a German composer who made a living from music from the age of 15 on is featured in this collective biography. Interestingly, he had a great friendship with musician Clara Schumann.

A bio, catalog of works, pictures, and links about Brahms can be found on a site dedicated to him.

May 6 Birthday: Willie Mays

Willie Mays, athlete
May 6, 1931-

Say Hey! A Song of Willie Mays by Peter Mandel, illustrated by Don Tate (Jump At The Sun, 2000)

This rhyming picture book about the home-run hero takes readers from his birth to the ballpark. Batter up!

Go to The National Baseball Hall of Fame for stats on Mays.

May 5 Birthday: Nellie Bly

Nellie Bly
May 5, 1864-Jan. 27, 1922

The Daring Nellie Bly: America’s Star Reporter by Bonnie Christensen (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2003)

Serious female reporters were a rare breed in the late 1880s. Bly not only took up the call, but succeeded brilliantly.

An article called,Nellie Bly: The Best Reporter in America is posted on the CUNY web site.

May 3 Birthday: Golda Meir

Golda Meir
May 3, 1898-Dec. 8, 1978

Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 2000)

One of the founders of the State of Israel as well as serving at its Prime Minister for five years, Meir made a remarkable contribution to Israel and the world.

The Jewish Virtual Library posts a bio of Meir on their site.

May 3 Birthday: Septima P. Clark

Septima P. Clark
May 3, 1898-Dec. 15, 1987

Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference by Joyce Hansen (Scholastic, 1998)

A teacher, Clark fought for equality in civil rights movement. Injustices done to her with regards to her lost job were repaid.

Read about Clark on the African American Registry site.

May 3 Birthday: James Brown

James Brown, musician
May 3, 1933-Dec. 25, 2006

Shake, Rattle & Roll: The Founders of Rock & Roll by Holly George-Warren, illustrated by Laura Levine (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)

"The Hardest Working Man in Show Business" picked cotton, shined shoes, boxed, and played baseball before making it big.

NPR offers information about the man, the message and the soul.

May 2 Birthday: Elijah McCoy

Elijah McCoy, inventor
May 2, 1843(4?)-October 10, 1929

The Real McCoy: The Life of an African-American Inventor by Wendy Towle, illustrated by Wil Clay (Scholastic, paper, 1995)

An engineer, McCoy invented (among other things) an automatic lubricator for trains and heavy machinery. It was so much better than what was in common use that people insisted on “the real McCoy.”

A short bio on a web site hosted by Northern California Council of Black Professional Engineers highlights McCoy.

Unknown Birthday: Sitting Bull

Sitting Bull, leader
c. 1831-Dec. 15, 1890

A Boy Called Slow by Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by Rocco Baviera (Putnam, 1998)

From "Slow" to "Sitting Bull," this moving account of the greatest Lakota Sioux warrior's 1830s childhood shows how he grew into his new name.

The PBS site on New Perspectives on the West offers a biography of Sitting Bull with a number of hot links.

April 29 Birthday: Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington, musician
Apr. 29, 1899-May 24, 1974

Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney (Jump At The Sun, 1998)

This Caldecott Honor Medal winner hits just the right notes. The musical collaboration between Ellington and his band members is divine.

Duke Ellington-The Official Web Site hosts a biography, photos, fast facts, quotes and more.

April 28 Birthday: James Monroe

James Monroe, U. S. President
Apr. 28, 1758-July 4, 1831

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

One paragraph in this collective biography is devoted to our 8th president. The Monroe Doctrine was named for him. He was one of three presidents to die on July 4th.

The White House offers a profile of Monroe on their site.

April 27 Birthday: Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant, U.S. President
Apr. 27, 1822-July 23, 1885

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

A military man, Grant was the 18th president and one of few words.

Learn more about Grant at the PBS American Experience site about him.

April 26 Birthday: William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare, writer
Apr. 26, 1564 (baptism)-Apr. 23, 1616

Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare by Diane Stanley (HarperCollins, 1992)

A fitting introduction to the man who wrote some of our best-loved plays. Truly, a picture book biography for all ages.

A guide to the scholarly resources on Shakespeare can be found at a Palomar Community College site called Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet.

April 26 Birthday: John J. Audubon

John J. Audubon, artist and naturalist
Apr. 26, 1785-Jan. 27, 1851

The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Houghton Mifflin, 2004)

An astute observer of birds by 18, Audubon continued studying them and became “the greatest painter of birds of all time.”

The Audubon Society posts a biography of their namesake on their site.

April 26 Birthday: I.M. Pei

I.M. Pei, architect
Apr. 26, 1917-

How We are Smart by W. Nikola-Lisa, illustrated by Sean Qualls (Lee & Low Books, 2006)

With an eye for the modern, Pei, a Chinese architect, has designed the Louvre Pyramid, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Javits Convention Center, and the East Building of the National Gallery of Art as well as many other breath-taking structures.

View images of Pei’s work at GreatBuildings.com

April 26 Birthdays: Frederick Law Olmsted

Frederick Law Olmsted, architect
Apr. 26, 1822-Aug. 28, 1903

The Man Who Made Parks: The Story of Parkbuilder Frederick Law Olmsted by Frieda Wishinsky, illustrated by Song Nan Zhang (Tundra Books, 1999)

We have Olmsted to thank for New York City’s Central Park, the grounds at Niagara Falls and other top visitor spots. This is the story of his first love—the great outdoors.

The Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site "offers a variety of programs that interpret the legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted."

April 25 Birthday: Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald, musician
Apr. 25, 1917-June 15, 1996

Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney (Jump At The Sun, 2002)

Legendary singer Ella Fitzgerald shines in this biography about her, told by Scat Cat Monroe, a feline in a zoot suit.

Music, photos, downloads, and a biography can be found at the Ella Fitzgerald Official Website.

April 23 Birthday: Sergei Prokofiev

Sergei Prokofiev, musician
April 23, 1891-March 5, 1953

Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1993)

The Russian composer of Peter and the Wolf, dreamed of composing from an early age.

“All Prokifiev. All the time,” is how The Prokofiev Page describes itself. Drop by for a biography, photographs, interviews and links.

April 23 Birthday: James Buchanan

James Buchanan, U.S. President
Apr. 23, 1791-June 1, 1868

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

Number 15 was the only president who never married. He had numerous pets, including a pair of bald eagles.

The Internet Public Library offers facts about Buchanan’s personal life and public service.

April 22 Birthday: Isabella I

Isabella I, political leader
Apr. 22, 1451-Nov. 26, 1504

Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 2000)

As Queen of Spain, Isabella I financed the travels of Christopher Columbus.

Learn more about Isabella of Castile at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

April 21 Birthday: John Muir

John Muir, preservationist
Apr. 21, 1838-Dec. 24, 1914

John Muir: America’s First Environmentalist by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Stan Fellows (Candlewick, 2006)

The life and accomplishments of Muir, an environmental pioneer, who among other things promoted the establishment of Yosemite as a park, are heralded in this book. Selections from his diary are woven throughout the story and add depth to the telling.

The Sierra Club maintains an exhibit to John Muir, founder of the organization.

April 21 Birthday: Charlotte Bronte

Charlotte Bronte, writer
Apr. 21, 1816-Mar. 31, 1855

Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1994)

The author of Jane Eyre, was the eldest of the three Bronte sisters, all English writers.

A brief biography of Bronte can be found on the Victorian Web.org, a site about literature, history and culture in the age of Victoria.

April 20 Birthday: Tito Puente

Tito Puente, musician
Apr. 20, 1923-May 31, 2000

How We are Smart by W. Nikola-Lisa, illustrated by Sean Qualls (Lee & Low Books, 2006)

Known as “The Mambo King,” Puente played Latin jazz and mambo music.

Read more about the talented Puente on the Thomson/Gale site.

Unknown Birthday: Murasaki Shikibu

Murasaki Shikibu, artist
c. 973-c. 1014 or 1025

Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt(Harcourt, 1994)

Novelist. Poet. Servant in royal court. Japan's Shikibu is best known as author of The Tale of Genji, one of the earliest published novels of all time.

Read parts of Murasaki Shikibu's diary online at Penn's digital library site.

April 16 Birthday: Wilbur Wright

Wilbur Wright, aviator
Apr. 16, 1867-May 30, 1912

Into the Air: The Story of the Wright Brothers by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Bill Wylie (Silver Whistle Paperbacks, 2002)

Using comic-book style art, this book takes readers on a journey of the two brothers who were determined to fly.

NASA’s biography of Wilbur Wright has links to the invention process, researched flight, tested theories and other associated ideas.

April 15 Birthday: Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci, artist
Apr. 15, 1452-May 2, 1519

Leonardo da Vinci by Diane Stanley (HarperCollins, 1996)

An account of da Vinci’s life from birth to death with highlights of his celebrated art.

For a biography, portrait, and examples of da Vinci’s work, visit the Museum of Science.

April 15 Birthday: Bessie Smith

Bessie Smith, musician
Apr. 15, 1894-Sept. 26, 1937

The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World by Julius Lester,illustrated by Lisa Cohen (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2001)

Smith hit the road as a singer at the age of 17. She was known for her big voice. Her first record was called Downhearted Blues.

Read more about Smith on the PBS site about Ken Burns' film, Jazz.

April 13 Birthday: Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President
Apr. 13, 1743-July 4, 1826

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)

This author of the Declaration of Independence also was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson was president # 3.

Jefferson’s accomplishments are summarized in this profile of him.

April 12 Birthday: Jimmy Winkfield

Jimmy Winkfield, athlete
Apr. 12, 1882-Mar. 23, 1974

The Last Black King of the Kentucky Derby: The Story of Jimmy Winkfield by Crystal Hubbard, illustrated by Robert McGuire (Lee & Low Books, 2008)

A childhood love of horses led Jimmy Winkfield to a job at a racetrack as a teenager. Eventually “Wink” became a jockey and won back-to-back Kentucky Derby races in 1901 and 1902. “By late 1903 African American jockeys (in the U.S.) had become obsolete,” and Wink raced in Europe, where he eventually retired.

Listen to a profile of Winkfield on NPR’s Weekend Edition on the occasion of the 2002 Kentucky Derby.

April 12 Birthday: Imogen Cunningham

Imogen Cunningham, artist
Apr. 12, 1883-June 24, 1976

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)

Known for her photos of botanicals, nudes, and industry, Cunningham kept the shutter clicking until just before her death at 93.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston houses three of Cunningham's photos. Click on the titles for more detailed descriptions of the works.

April 10 Birthday: Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta, activist
Apr. 10, 1930-

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)

Co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association with Ceasar Chavez and a leader in the historic grape boycott, Huerta continues to play a pivotal role in worker rights.

Read more about Huerta at the Dolores Huerta Foundation web site.

April 9 Birthday: Carl Perkins

Carl Perkins, musician
Apr. 9, 1932-Jan. 19,1998

Shake, Rattle & Roll: The Founders of Rock & Roll by Holly George-Warren, illustrated by Laura Levine (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)

The man who wrote Blue Suede Shoes was from rural Tennessee. A talented singer and songwriter, Perkins sure knew how to shake things up.

Perkins, a 1987 inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is featured on a page at RockHall.com.

April 8 Birthday: Sonja Henie

Sonja Henie, athlete
Apr. 8, 1912-Oct. 12, 1969

Lives of the Athletes: Thrills, Spills (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1997)

A three-time Olympic figure skating champion, Henie was the youngest world champion in history.

Click Olympic.org to read a profile of Henie: The First Figure Skating Celebrity.

April 7 Birthday: Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday, musician
Apr. 7, 1915-July 17, 1959

The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World by Julius Lester, illustrated by Lisa Cohen (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2oo1)

Holiday moved to Harlem at age 14 when jazz was hot. Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith and others were singing at that time. Billie joined in. Her trademark was a white gardenia in her hair.

Holiday is featured in Jazz, a film by Ken Burns.

April 5 Birthday: Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington, educator and political leader
Apr. 5, 1856-Nov. 14, 1915

More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby, illustrated by Chris Soentpiet (Scholastic, 1995)

More than anything else, young Booker T. Washington wanted to learn how to read. Follow his journey in this story based on his childhood.

A biography of Washington, a famous African-American is posted at the Thomson/Gale web site.

April 4 Birthday: Maya Angelou

span style="font-weight:bold;">Maya Angelou, writer
Apr. 4, 1928-

Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference by Joyce Hansen (Scholastic, 1998)

The author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, is a producer, actor and director, too. She recited her poem On the Pulse of Morning at President Clinton's inauguration.

The Maya Angelou Official Website offers a short bio and photos.

April 4 Birthday: Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters, musician
Apr. 4, 1913-Apr. 30-1983

The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World by Julius Lester, illustrated by Lisa Cohen (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2oo1)

Mississippi born, Waters quit school at ten and worked in cotton fields. He moved to Chicago in 1943 and in 1948 made his first commercial record.

The Official Muddy “Mississippi” Waters site is the place to go for resources about this electrified blues man.

April 3 Birthday: Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall, scientist (primatologist)
Apr. 3, 1934-

Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)

Goodall’s research on chimpanzees is remarkable because of it's length (forty-five plus years) and because of her devotion to the animals and the environment.

Read Jane Goodall: An Extraordinary Life at the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education and Conservation.

April 2 Birthday: Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen, writer
Apr. 2, 1805-Aug. 4, 1875

Perfect Wizard: The Hans Christian Andersen by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Dennis Nolan (Dutton, 2005)

This is the story of Andersen, the “ugly duckling” who grew up to write incredible fairy tales.

Take a look at the Annotated Web-o-graphy of Hans Christian Andersen and chose a site to visit.

May 2 Birthday: Elijah McCoy

Elijah McCoy, inventor
May 2, 1843(4?)-October 10, 1929

The Real McCoy: The Life of an African-American Inventor by Wendy Towle, illustrated by Wil Clay (Scholastic, paper, 1995)

An engineer, McCoy invented (among other things) an automatic lubricator for trains and heavy machinery. It was so much better than what was in common use that people insisted on “the real McCoy.”

A short bio on a web site hosted by Northern California Council of Black Professional Engineers highlights McCoy.

April 1 Birthday: Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai, peace advocate
Apr. 1, 1940-

Paths to Peace: People Who Changed the World by Jane Breskin Zalben (Dutton, 2006)

A member of the Kikuyu ethnic group, Maathai has and is doing much to make the world a better place. Among other things she is interested in the green movement and women’s rights. She won the Nobel Peace Prize because she “stood up courageously against the former oppressive regime in Kenya.”

Read the press release from the Nobel Peace Prize for Maathai received in 2004.