| Character/Date | Short Biography |
|---|---|
Enlightenment Philosophers | |
1694–1778 |
Controversial "free-thinker", satirist, essayist, and Enlightenment philosopher. |
1712–1778 |
Romantic Political Philosopher who influenced both the American and the French Revolutions. |
1748–1836 |
Apostate abbot with republican leanings. Leading thinker of early years of the revolution, who was exiled during the most radical phase |
Revolutionary Leaders | |
1743–1793 |
Radical Doctor who became Leader of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. |
1743–1803 |
Former slave who became the leader of rebel slaves seeking to overthrow the French government in Haiti. |
1749–1791 |
Moderate leader of the French Revolution who died before he could effect a compromise. |
1747–1793 |
Liberal cousin of Louis XVI who voted to execute the king, but was later beheaded by the Paris mob. |
1758–1794 |
Key figure of the French Revolution. Leader of the Reign of Terror. |
1759–1794 |
Key figure of the French Revolution who was eventually lost his head. |
1760–1794 |
Lawyer, journalist, and associate of Danton. Ralleyed the Paris mob in early days of the revolution. Leader of Cordelier club. Beheaded. |
1754–1838 |
Apostate bishop who organized Civil Constitution of Clergy. Stayed in favor during regime changes from the Estates General to the Restoration. |
Monarchs | |
1754–1793 |
King during the French revolution. Beheaded by republicans who sought to overthrow the monarchy. |
1785–1795 |
Dauphin of France, son of Marie Antoinette. Seperated from his family, tortured, and murdered during reign of terror. |
1755–1793 |
Extravagant Queen of France. Beheaded during French Revolution. |
Heroes and Martyrs | |
1754–1793 |
Secretary of the Girondists party during the French Revolution. She was not considered republican enough by radicals and executed during the reign of terror |
1757–1834 |
French soldier who fought in American Revolution, and early leader of French Revolution. |
1768–1793 |
Sacrificed her own life to kill the tyrant Jean-Paul Marat. |
1739–1823 |
French Revolutionary General and hero of the battle of Valmy. Deserted the cause after the execution of the king and joined the royalist allies |
| Character/Date | Short Biography |
|---|---|
Napoleon family | |
1769–1821 |
Victorious general who rose to power during the French Revolution. Crowned himself Emperor and restored France to greatness. |
1763–1814 |
Aristocratic wife of Napoloeon Bonaparte. |
1768–1844 |
Older brother of Napoleon who was crowned first, King of Naples, and then later, King of Spain. |
1781–1824 |
Stepson of Napoleon, who accompanied him on all his early campaigns. Later Prince of Italy. |
Generals | |
1769–1815 |
One of Napoleon's most trusted generals and hero of many French battles. Executed for treason after Waterloo. |
1742–1819 |
Prussian Field Marshall who opposed Napoleon at Leipzig and Waterloo. (At age 72!) |
1769–1852 |
Napoleonic war general who fought in Spain and Portugal. Defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. |
1758–1805 |
Great Naval hero of his age; victor at the Battle of the Nile, Copenhagen, and Trafalgar. |
1762–1838 |
Dutch General who surrendered Cape Town to the British after the Battle of Blaauwberg. |
1777–1825 |
Leader of Russia during the Napoleonic Wars. |
Statesment and Diplomats | |
1754–1838 |
Apostate bishop who organized Civil Constitution of Clergy. Stayed in favor during regime changes from the Estates General to the Restoration. |
1773–1848 |
Austrian statesman who was influential in bringing about a long lasting peace in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars. Hosted Congresss of Vienna. |
1776–1810 |
Queen of Prussia who inspired Germany to resist Napoleon. Greatly honored in Prussia. |
1742–1823 |
Pope during the reign of Napoleon and the early restoration period. |
Arts and Science | |
1748–1825 |
Neoclassical French painter of the revolutionary era famous for his historical subjects. |
1769–1832 |
World expert on fossils and prehistoric animals. Proponent of catastrophism in contrast to uniformism. |
| Character/Date | Short Biography |
|---|---|
Last Kings of France | |
1755–1824 |
French monarch restored to the throne after the collapse of Napoleon's empire. Brother of Louis XVI killed during revolution. |
1757–1836 |
Last French Bourbon King. Abdicated the throne during the Revolution of 1830. |
1773–1850 |
French prince with liberal sympathies. Proclaimed king after abdication of Charles X. |
1832–1867 |
Archduke who was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico. Overthrown and executed by Liberal republicans. |
Bonapartists | |
1808–1873 |
Nephew of Napoleon, elected emperor of France after revolution of 1848. Deposed after disastrous Franco-Prussian War. |
1781–1824 |
Stepson of Napoleon, who accompanied him on all his early campaigns. Later Prince of Italy. |
1783–1837 |
Step-daughter, and sister-in-law of Napolean Bonaparte, and mother of Napoleon III of France. |
1826–1920 |
Wife of Napoleon III and Empress of France. Influential figure in society and fashion as well as politics. |
Statesmen | |
1838–1882 |
Radical Republican politician who came to prominance after the Franco-Prussian War. Served briefly as Prime Minister. |
1808–1893 |
First elected president of the Third French Republic. Conservative popular with both Monarchists and Bonapartists. |
1797–1877 |
Respected minister during reign of Louis Philippe, and chosen first president of the Third Republic. |
1787–1874 |
Served as a minister to Louis Philippe. Influential in establishing Publich education in France. |
1805–1894 |
French diplomat in charge of development of the Suez canal. His canal project in Panama failed with great loss. |
Notable Citizens | |
1859–1935 |
Jewish artillery officer, falsely accused of treason. Subject of international anti-semite scandal. |
1822–1895 |
Renowned scientist in bacteriology. Helped develop germ theory of disease and pasteurization process. |
1867–1934 |
A pioneer in the field of radioactivity, and first female winner of the Nobel prize in physics. |
1802–1885 |
French novelist, known for classics such as Les Miserables and Hunchback of Notre Dame. |
| Character/Date | Short Biography |
|---|---|
Napoleonic Era | |
1781–1824 |
Stepson of Napoleon, who accompanied him on all his early campaigns. Later Prince of Italy. |
1729–1800 |
Renowned general who won victories for Russia against Turks, Napoleon, and Polish rebels. |
1769–1821 |
Victorious general who rose to power during the French Revolution. Crowned himself Emperor and restored France to greatness. |
1768–1844 |
Older brother of Napoleon who was crowned first, King of Naples, and then later, King of Spain. |
1767–1815 |
Leading general of Napoleonic Wars, brother-in-law of Napoleon. Appointed king of Naples after Joseph was installed as king of Spain. |
1742–1823 |
Pope during the reign of Napoleon and the early restoration period. |
1757–1822 |
Renowned sculptor who showed talent at an early age by carving a lion out of butter. |
Rigorgimento | |
1807–1882 |
Led several campaigns in the Wars of Italian Unification. Renowned as a hero patriot of Italy. |
1792–1878 |
Long serving pope who reigned during the unification of Italy. Famous for Vatican I, papal infallibility doctrine, and Syllabus of Errors. |
1805–1872 |
Italian journalist and political activist who worked for the Unification of Italy and advocated popular democracy throughout Europe. |
1810–1861 |
Prime minister of Sardinia who used skill and diplomacy to unite Italy under the rule of the Piedmont king. |
1808–1873 |
Nephew of Napoleon, elected emperor of France after revolution of 1848. Deposed after disastrous Franco-Prussian War. |
1820–1878 |
Became first king of a United Italy after Garibaldi handed over control of Naples. Previously Savoyard King of Sardinia. |
After Unification | |
1835–1914 |
Popular pope who resisted modernism and promoted the eucharist and classical philosophy. |
1745–1827 |
Invented the first usable electrical storage battery. |
1874–1937 |
Inventor of a wireless telegraphy system, first used on ships. |
| Character/Date | Short Biography |
|---|---|
Prussian Leaders | |
1620–1688 |
Calvinist Duke of Prussia and Elector of Brandenburg who made commercial and domestic reforms and laid the groundwork for the rise of Prussia. |
1688–1740 |
Father of Frederick the Great who reformed the Prussian economy and built a strong standing army. |
1712–1786 |
Great Prussian military leader in the War of the Austrian Succession and Seven Years War. |
1770–1840 |
Prussian king during and after the Napoleonic Wars. Reformed government and military after the neglect of his father's reign. |
1776–1810 |
Queen of Prussia who inspired Germany to resist Napoleon. Greatly honored in Prussia. |
1742–1819 |
Prussian Field Marshall who opposed Napoleon at Leipzig and Waterloo. (At age 72!) |
Polish Leaders | |
1746–1817 |
Polish national who fought in the American Revolution, and later led a Polish uprising against Russia. |
Austrian Leaders | |
1663–1736 |
One of the Greatest generals of the Hapsburg Empire. Led Austria during the War of Spanish Succession. |
1717–1780 |
Head of Hapsburg Dynasty. Ruled over much of Eastern Europe. Opposed Frederick the Great. |
1741–1790 |
Eldest son of Maria Theresa who attempted to make dramatic changes to "modernize" Austria, with limited success. |
1768–1835 |
Emperor of Austria during the Napoleonic Wars; last Holy Roman Emperor. |
1767–1810 |
Patriot of the Austrian Tyrol who held Austria for the Hapsburgs against Napoleon's allies. |
1773–1848 |
Austrian statesman who was influential in bringing about a long lasting peace in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars. Hosted Congresss of Vienna. |
1771–1847 |
Younger brother of Francis II. Important general of the Austrian army during the Napoleonic Wars. |
German Arts, science, and Literature | |
1685–1750 |
German composer associated with Baroque classical music. |
1685–1759 |
Composer of Baroque Symphonies and Operas. Major influence on Beethoven and Mozart. |
1749–1831 |
Influential literary persona of the 18th century. Wrote Faust. |
1732–1809 |
Very influential composer from Vienna who was an associate of Mozart, and a teacher of Beethoven. |
1756–1791 |
One of the most popular classical composers in history. Composed over 600 works including symphonies, operas, and chamber music. |
| Character/Date | Short Biography |
|---|---|
Prussian kings and statesmen | |
1770–1840 |
Prussian king during and after the Napoleonic Wars. Reformed government and military after the neglect of his father's reign. |
1797–1888 |
First Kaiser of a United German Empire. With Bismarck as Chancellor, defeated Austria and France. |
1859–1941 |
Second Kaiser built up a strong navy, , and bumbled into disastrous World War. |
1800–1891 |
Military mastermind of the Austro-Prussian, and Franco-Prussian Wars. |
1815–1898 |
Prussian statesman and mastermind of German Unification. Strategically provoked wars against Austria and France. |
1847–1934 |
Field Marshal during WWI, and German Statesman. President of Germany after the War. |
Austrian kings and statesmen | |
1802–1894 |
Patriot hero of Hungary who nearly won independence before being crushed by Austria-Russia. |
1837–1898 |
Empress of Austria who was influential in 19th century society and known as a free spirit. |
1768–1835 |
Emperor of Austria during the Napoleonic Wars; last Holy Roman Emperor. |
1830–1916 |
Emperor of Austria during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. |
1773–1848 |
Austrian statesman who was influential in bringing about a long lasting peace in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars. Hosted Congresss of Vienna. |
1810–1861 |
Prime minister of Sardinia who used skill and diplomacy to unite Italy under the rule of the Piedmont king. |
1808–1873 |
Nephew of Napoleon, elected emperor of France after revolution of 1848. Deposed after disastrous Franco-Prussian War. |
German Arts, Science, and literature | |
1769–1859 |
Studied South American geology, climate, and plant and animal life, and other aspects of natural science |
1770–1827 |
One of the most brilliant classical composers of all time. Continued to compose, perform, and conduct, even when deaf. |
1816–1892 |
Invented electronic telegraph and electromechanical transducer. Founded a German industrial complex. |
1844–1900 |
German philosopher of the 19th century, associated with nihilism, the 'Will to Power', the superman theory of history, and post-modern ethics. |
| Character/Date | Short Biography |
|---|---|
Tsars and Regents | |
1657–1704 |
Regent of Russia during the youth of Peter the Great. Resisted her brothers reforms. |
1672–1725 |
Modernized Russia in spite of great resistance. Improved the army. Won coastal territory. |
1684–1727 |
Wife of Peter the Great who rose from a low station to help Peter govern Russia, and succeeded him on his death. |
1709–1762 |
Daughter of Peter the Great, who as empress was patron of the arts and the Orthodox Church and opposed Frederick the Great in Prussia. |
1729–1796 |
German Princess who was proclaimed Empress after the murder of her husband Peter III. Favored modernization and progressive policies. |
1777–1825 |
Leader of Russia during the Napoleonic Wars. |
1796–1855 |
Russian czar who ruled Russia as an Autocracy after nearly being overthrown early in his reign. |
1818–1881 |
Nineteenth century Russian Czar who instituted many reforms, but was assassinated by Nihilists. |
1845–1894 |
Ascended to the throne of Russia after the assassination of his father, and rescinded reforms in progress. |
1868–1918 |
Last Czar of Russia. Forced to resign during the Russian revolution, and eventually executed with his family. |
Statesmen and Generals | |
1629–1696 |
King of Poland who rescued Vienna from the Ottoman Turks during the Siege of Vienna. |
1673–1729 |
Advisor of Peter the Great who rose from a low station to unofficial regent of all of Russia under Peter's successor. |
1682–1718 |
Arch-rival of Peter the Great. Defeated the Russians in several battles before falling at the Battle of Pultowa. |
1729–1800 |
Renowned general who won victories for Russia against Turks, Napoleon, and Polish rebels. |
1739–1791 |
Leading minister of Catherine the Great who was influenced by 'enlightenment' ideas. Famous for building 'Potemkin villages' along Dneiper river. |
1761–1818 |
Leading Russian General during the Napoleonic Wars. Mastermind of the 'scorched earth' policy. |
Scientists, explorers, authors | |
1681–1741 |
Russian explorer who had boats built in Siberia, explored the North Seas, and discovered Alaska. |
1707–1778 |
Great Taxonomist, who initiated naming conventions and classification of plants and animals. |
1824–1887 |
Known for his work in electrical circuit and spectroscopy. Discovered black body radiation. |
1828–1910 |
19th century Russian novelist, author of War and Peace, known for his dedication to social reform, asceticism, and pacifism. |
1869–1916 |
Controversial faith-healers and advisor to the Tsarina, wife of Nicholas II, during the Great War. |
Pre-revolutionary Rebel Leaders | |
1644–1709 |
Polish exile who became the leader of the Cossacks, under Peter the Great. |
1740–1775 |
Leader of a wide spread Cossack rebellion against Catherine the Great. |
1746–1817 |
Polish national who fought in the American Revolution, and later led a Polish uprising against Russia. |
1797–1871 |
Leader of the Muslim tribes of the Caucuses. Led a series of Rebellions against the early 19th century Tsars. |
1853–1881 |
Leading member of a Nihilist conspiracy which succeeded in assassinating Alexander II. |
Revolutionary Leaders | |
2870–1924 |
Communist revolutionary and leader of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia. Organized October Revolution and established Soviet Union. |
1879–1940 |
Prominent Bolshevik organizer, author, leader of the Red army and politburo member. Eventually split with Stalin and was assassinated. |
1888–1938 |
Bolshevik author and organizer. Powerful member of politburo and editor of "Pravda" communist party newsletter. Prominent victim of Stalin's purges in the 1930s. |
1881–1970 |
Prominent leader of the February Revolution of 1917 that overthrew the Czar and established a moderate socialist government. Overthrown by Bolsheviks in October Revolution. |
1878–1953 |
Leader of the Soviet Union from the death of Lenin to the 1950s. Ruthless dictator who established slave-labor camps and purged all oppositon. |
| Character/Date | Short Biography |
|---|---|
1851–1929 |
Military theorist and teacher who became Field Marshall of the Allies during the Great War. |
1852–1931 |
Commander and chief of the French army during the early years of the Great War. |
1859–1941 |
Second Kaiser built up a strong navy, , and bumbled into disastrous World War. |
1847–1934 |
Field Marshal during WWI, and German Statesman. President of Germany after the War. |
1850–1916 |
Military hero of the late 19th century, first in Sudan, and later in the Boer Wars |
1888–1935 |
Middle east archeologist and historian who served with the British and Arab irregulars during WWI. |