PODCAST

5 Minute Biographies

Biographies to read or listen to in about 5 minutes

history

All Episodes

7:48

Oliver Reed

5 Minute Biographies ·

2024/05/20

Oliver Reed was a force of nature on screen, a British actor whose booming voice, imposing stature, and talent for portraying complex characters made him a legend. His career, spanning four decades, was as multifaceted as the man himself. He could be a villain you loved to hate, a charming rogue, or a figure of …

7:28

Gus March-Phillipps

5 Minute Biographies ·

2024/05/13

Gustavus Henry March-Phillipps, known affectionately as Gus, was a British military officer whose life, though tragically short, was marked by exceptional bravery, strategic innovation, and a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of British special operations during World War II. Born in England in 1908, Gus rose through the ranks of the Royal Artillery, eventually …

5:58

Cleopatra

5 Minute Biographies ·

2024/05/06

Have you ever pondered the life of Cleopatra, the last active ruler of Egypt’s Ptolemaic Kingdom? Born in 69 BC, Cleopatra was a product of the Ptolemaic dynasty, a family lineage known for its power and influence. Her father, Ptolemy XII, commonly known as Auletes, played a pivotal role in her upbringing, instilling in her …

7:29

Bing Crosby

5 Minute Biographies ·

2024/04/29

Did you know that Bing Crosby, the legendary crooner, was originally named Harry Lillis Crosby Jr. when he was born on May 3, 1903, in Tacoma, Washington? From an early age, Crosby was drawn to the world of music and drama. His formative years were spent in Spokane, Washington, where he honed his skills and …

7:00

Benjamin Franklin

5 Minute Biographies ·

2024/04/22

Did you know one of the founding fathers of the United States was born into a family of 17 children? Yes, Benjamin Franklin was born on a cold January day, the 17th of 1706, right in the heart of Boston. His family was of modest means, and formal education was a luxury they couldn’t afford. …

6:47

James Dean

5 Minute Biographies ·

2024/04/15

Did you know that James Dean, an iconic Hollywood star, only starred in three movies before his untimely death? Yet, his impact on Hollywood is undeniable.” This captivating figure, born in 1931, hailed from the small town of Marion, Indiana. Growing up in a Quaker household, a young Dean was no stranger to the values …

6:27

Lord Horatio Nelson

5 Minute Biographies ·

2024/04/08

Have you ever wondered how a small boy from Norfolk became one of Britain’s most celebrated naval heroes?” From humble beginnings, a young lad named Horatio Nelson would rise to become Admiral Lord Nelson, an indomitable figure in British naval history. His strategic genius and unyielding courage on the high seas would forever shift the …

6:32

Oliver Cromwell

5 Minute Biographies ·

2024/03/18

“Put your trust in God, but be sure to keep your powder dry.” – Oliver Cromwell. In the heart of the 17th century, England was a nation at war with itself, a stage ripe for the rise of a man like Oliver Cromwell.” This era was characterized by a whirlwind of religious and political turmoil. …

11:02

Jimmy Stewart

5 Minute Biographies ·

2021/09/26

“Well, I think one of the things that you have to think about when acting in the movies is to try not to make the acting show.” – Jimmy Stewart James Maitland Stewart was born on 20 May 1908 in Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA. His Presbyterian father, Alexander Maitland Stewart owned a hardware store and was …

11:00

Kurt Cobain

5 Minute Biographies ·

2021/09/19

“I’d rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.” – Kurt Cobain Kurt Donald Cobain was born on 20 February 1967 at Grays Harbor Hospital, in Aberdeen, Washington, USA. His younger sister, Kimberly, was born on 24 April 1970. The Cobain’s ancestors were shoemakers who emigrated to the USA …

11:45

George Orwell

5 Minute Biographies ·

2021/09/12

“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” – George Orwell Eric Arthur Blair who would be later known as George Orwell was born on 15 June 1903 in Motihari which was at that time part of British India. When Eric was not …

10:48

Napoleon Bonaparte

5 Minute Biographies ·

2021/04/11

“Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.” – Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Ajaccio on the Mediterranean island of Corsica on 15 August 1769 which came under French rule the same year. After completing his education in France, he joined the military and became an artillery officer in 1785 at …

12:03

Muhammad Ali

5 Minute Biographies ·

2021/04/04

“I’m so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark.” – Muhammad Ali Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, later to be known to the whole world as Muhammad Ali, was born on 17 January 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. His father …

9:02

King George V

5 Minute Biographies ·

2020/04/09

“Today 23 years ago dear Grandmama died. I wonder what she would have thought of a Labour government” – King George V. King George V is an important monarch in the history of the United Kingdom, he oversaw its largest territorial expanse but was also the King who witnessed what would ultimately become the downfall …

9:21

Charles Dickens

5 Minute Biographies ·

2020/04/02

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year” – Charles Dickens Few writers of the 19th century are so well-known and so beloved as Charles Dickens. He was a keen observer of society, as well as being a writer of brilliant satire but most people know little about …

6:52

Grace Kelly

5 Minute Biographies ·

2020/03/26

“If anybody starts using me as scenery, I’ll return to New York” – Grace Kelly Grace Patricia Kelly was born on 12 November 1929 in Philadelphia, USA. She was one of the leading film actresses of her day, becoming a major star in the 1950s and ending up as a bona fide princess when she …

8:02

Sir Robert Peel

5 Minute Biographies ·

2020/03/19

“No minister ever stood, or could stand, against public opinion” – Sir Robert Peel. Sir Robert Peel was Born in Bury, Lancashire, on 5 February 1788, and was by no means born into a poor family as his father was one of the wealthiest businessmen in Britain at the time being a very successful textiles …

8:24

John Wayne

5 Minute Biographies ·

2020/03/12

“Courage is being scared to death…. and saddling up anyway” – John Wayne. Even 40 plus years after his death, the name John Wayne needs little introduction. Without question, he is one of the single most famous movie stars of the mid-twentieth century and probably the biggest western movie star of all time. John Wayne …

7:57

Charles Darwin

5 Minute Biographies ·

2020/03/05

“Man is descended from a hairy, tailed quadruped, probably arboreal in its habits” – Charles Darwin. Charles Darwin is quite possibly the most famous scientist of the 19th century. His observations and theories would breed extreme resistance and would leave behind a mixed legacy, but one that included unquestionable change in the way that most …

8:51

Lauren Bacall

5 Minute Biographies ·

2020/02/27

“I think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that” – Lauren Bacall Lauren Bacall is a name that any true film buff is familiar with, as she is one of the most famous women of the golden age of cinema. She was even named by the American Film …

166 results

5 Minute Biographies

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

The Old Front Line

Paul Reed

Today In History with The Retrospectors

The Retrospectors

جنود خلدهم التاريخ

ALSUMOOD PODCAST

Film History - Daily

Inception Point Ai

Madonna - Audio Biography

Inception Point Ai