
Great Men and Famous Women (Vol. 1-8) (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Biographical Sketches and Portraits of 200+ Distinguished Historical Figures in HistoryBy VariousLength94h 23m
About this audiobook
Great Men and Famous Women (Vol. 1–8) is an expansive biographical anthology that gathers concise "pen and pencil" portraits of figures deemed historically exemplary: rulers, soldiers, reformers, artists, thinkers, saints, and heroines. Written in the lucid, elevated prose characteristic of late nineteenth-century popular history, the collection blends moral instruction with narrative vigor. Its literary context is the Victorian and post-Victorian culture of edifying biography, where history was presented through character, achievement, and public virtue. Attributed to Various authors, the work reflects a collaborative encyclopedic enterprise rather than a single authorial vision. Its contributors write from a period deeply invested in progress, national memory, and the shaping power of great individuals. The selection and treatment of subjects reveal contemporary ideals: courage, genius, industry, piety, leadership, and self-sacrifice. Such priorities help explain the book's design as both reference work and moral treasury for general readers. This collection is recommended to readers interested in historical biography, cultural memory, and the evolution of popular historiography. While modern readers may question some judgments and omissions, the volumes remain valuable as a window into how earlier generations defined greatness and fame.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- An Introduction draws the threads together, discussing why these diverse authors and texts belong in one collection.
- Historical Context explores the cultural and intellectual currents that shaped these works, offering insight into the shared (or contrasting) eras that influenced each writer.
- A combined Synopsis (Selection) briefly outlines the key plots or arguments of the included pieces, helping readers grasp the anthology's overall scope without giving away essential twists.
- A collective Analysis highlights common themes, stylistic variations, and significant crossovers in tone and technique, tying together writers from different backgrounds.
- Reflection questions encourage readers to compare the different voices and perspectives within the collection, fostering a richer understanding of the overarching conversation.
Audiobook details
GenreBiography and Memoir
Length94 hrs 23 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateApr 27, 2024
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
153Volume 5
2Introduction
154WORKMEN AND HEROES
3Historical Context
155HERCULES By Charlotte M. Yonge
4Synopsis (Selection)
156THESEUS
5Volume 1
157ULYSSES By Charles F. Horne
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6SOLDIERS AND SAILORS
158ÆNEAS By Charlotte M. Yonge
7NEBUCHADNEZZAR By Clarence Cook (645–561 B.C.)
159XENOPHON By Professor J. Pentland Mahaffy (445–354 b.c.)
8CYRUS THE GREAT By Clarence Cook (REIGNED 558–529 B.C.)
160THE GRACCHI Extracts from "Cæsar, a Sketch," by James Anthony Froude, LL.D. (164–133, 153–121 b.c.)
9ALEXANDER THE GREAT (356–323 B.C.)
161ZENOBIA, QUEEN OF PALMYRA By Anna Jameson (REIGNED 267–273 a.d.)
10HANNIBAL By Walter Whyte (247–183 B.C.)
162SIEGFRIED By Karl Blind (ABOUT 450)
11SCIPIO AFRICANUS MAJOR (235–183 B.C.)
163KING ARTHUR By Rev. S. Baring-Gould (ABOUT 520)
12CAIUS MARIUS Extracts from "Cæsar, a Sketch," by James Anthony Froude, LL.D. (157–86 B.C.)
164ROLAND (740–778)
13JULIUS CÆSAR By E. Spencer Beesly, M.A. (100–44 B.C.)
165ROLLO THE GANGER By Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen (860–932)
14MARC ANTONY (83–30 B.C.)
166LEIF ERICSON By Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen (About 1000)
15HERMANN (16 B.C.-21 A.D.)
167HAROLD, KING OF ENGLAND (1022–1066)
16TRAJAN By J. S. Reid, Litt.D. (53–117)
168THE CID By Henry G. Hewlett (1026–1099)
17DIOCLETIAN (245–313)
169ST. BERNARD By Henry G. Hewlett (1091–1153)
18ALARIC THE BOLD By Archdeacon Farrar, D.D., F.R.S. (360–410)
170FREDERICK BARBAROSSA By Lady Lamb (1121–1190)
19ATTILA By Archdeacon Farrar, D.D., F.R.S. (REIGNED 434–453)
171RICHARD CŒUR DE LION (1157–1199)
20CLOVIS THE FIRST By Thomas Wyatt, A.M. (465–511)
172ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI By George Parsons Lathrop, LL.D. (1182–1226)
21BELISARIUS By Charlotte M. Yonge (505–565)
173ST. LOUIS By Henry G. Hewlett (1215–1270)
22CHARLES MARTEL By Henry G. Hewlett (694–741)
174MARCO POLO By Noah Brooks (1256–1324)
23PEPIN THE SHORT By Henry G. Hewlett (714–768)
175SIR WILLIAM WALLACE (1270–1305)
24CHARLEMAGNE By Sir J. Bernard Burke (742–814)
176ROBERT BRUCE By Sir J. Bernard Burke, LL.D. (1274–1329)
25OLAF TRYGGVESON Extracts from "Early Kings of Norway," by Thomas Carlyle (955–1000)
177ARNOLD VON WINKELRIED (DIED, 1386)
26WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR By G. W. Prothero (1027–1087)
178JOAN OF ARC By Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1412–1431)
27GODFREY DE BOUILLON By Henry G. Hewlett (1060–1100)
179HANS GUTENBERG By Alphonse de Lamartine (1400–1468)
28SALADIN By Walter Besant (1137–1192)
180WILLIAM CAXTON (1412–1491)
29EDWARD I. OF ENGLAND By Thomas Davidson (1239–1307)
181CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS By A. R. Spofford, LL.D. (1436–1506)
30EDWARD III. OF ENGLAND (1312–1377)
182VASCO DA GAMA By Judge Albion W. Tourgée (1460–1525)
31EDWARD THE BLACK PRINCE By L. Drake (1330–1376)
183THE CHEVALIER BAYARD By Herbert Greenhough Smith (1476–1524)
32BERTRAND DU GUESCLIN (1314–1380)
184GUSTAVUS VASA By Charles F. Horne (1496–1560)
33HENRY V. OF ENGLAND Extracts from "Memoirs of Great Commanders," by G. P. R. James (1388–1422)
185MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS By Samuel L. Knapp (1542–1587)
34JOHN HUNIADES By Professor A. Vambéry (1388–1456)
186CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH By Marion Harland (1579–1631)
35WARWICK, THE KING-MAKER (1420–1471)
187WILLIAM HARVEY (1578–1657)
36HERNANDO CORTES By H. Rider Haggard (1485–1547)
188PRINCE CHARLES STUART By Andrew Lang, LL.D. (1720–1788)
37FRANCISCO PIZARRO By J. T. Trowbridge (1471–1541)
189CAPTAIN JAMES COOK By Oliver Optic (1728–1779)
38GASPARD DE COLIGNI By Professor Creasy (1517–1572)
190JOHN HOWARD By Harriet G. Walker (1726–1790)
39HENRY IV. OF FRANCE (1553–1610)
191ETHAN ALLEN By Gertrude Van Rensselaer Wickham (1738–1789)
40SIR FRANCIS DRAKE (1540–1596)
192Volume 6
41SIR WALTER RALEIGH (1552–1618)
193BENEDICT ARNOLD By Edgar Fawcett (1741–1801)
42MILES STANDISH By Elbridge S. Brooks (1584–1656)
194NATHAN HALE By Rev. Edward Everett Hale (1755–1776)
43ALBRECHT VON WALLENSTEIN By Henry G. Hewlett (1583–1634)
195THADDEUS KOSCIUSKO (1746–1817)
44GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS By Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen (1594–1632)
196MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE By William F. Peck (1757–1834)
45Volume 2
197CHARLOTTE CORDAY By Oliver Optic (1768–1793)
46MARSHAL TURENNE (1611–1675)
198MADAME ROLAND By Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1754–1793)
47CHARLES XII. OF SWEDEN By General John Mitchell (1682–1718)
199MARIE ANTOINETTE By Mrs. Octavius Freire Owen (1755–1793)
48JOHN, DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH By L. Drake (1650–1722)
200ANDREAS HOFER (1767–1810)
49PRINCE EUGENE OF SAVOY By G. P. R. James (1663–1736)
201QUEEN LOUISE OF PRUSSIA By Mrs. Francis G. Faithfull (1776–1810)
50GENERAL JAMES WOLFE By L. Drake (1726–1759)
202JAMES WATT By John Times, F.S.A. (1736–1819)
51FREDERICK THE GREAT By General John Mitchell (1712–1786)
203DR. EDWARD JENNER By John Timbs, F.S.A. (1749–1823)
52ROBERT, LORD CLIVE By W. C. Taylor, LL.D. (1725–1774)
204ROBERT FULTON By Oliver Optic (1765–1815)
53FRANÇOIS KELLERMANN, MARSHAL OF FRANCE (1735–1820)
205WILLIAM WILBERFORCE (1759–1833)
54MICHEL NEY, MARSHAL OF FRANCE By Louise Chandler Moulton (1769–1815)
206SIR HUMPHRY DAVY By John Timbs, F.S.A. (1778–1829)
55NAPOLEON BONAPARTE By Colonel Clayton, R.A. (1769–1821)
207GENERAL SAN MARTIN By Hezekiah Butterworth (1778–1850)
56ARTHUR, DUKE OF WELLINGTON By L. Drake (1769–1852)
208GEORGE STEPHENSON By Professor C. M. Woodward (1781–1848)
57LORD HORATIO NELSON (1758–1805)
209SAMUEL F. B. MORSE (1791–1872)
58ISRAEL PUTNAM (1718–1790)
210PETER COOPER By Clarence Cook (1791–1883)
59ANTHONY WAYNE By O. C. Bosbyshell (1745–1796)
211LOUIS KOSSUTH (1802–1894)
60FRANCIS MARION (1732–1795)
212JOHN ERICSSON4 By Martha J. Lamb (1803–1889)
61PAUL JONES (1747–1792)
213WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON By William Lloyd Garrison (1805–1879)
62TECUMSEH By James A. Green (1776–1813)
214ELISHA KENT KANE By General A. W. Greely (1820–1857)
63JAMES LAWRENCE (1781–1813)
215FERDINAND DE LESSEPS By Clarence Cook (1805–1894)
64STEPHEN DECATUR By Edward S. Ellis, A.M. (1779–1820)
216GENERAL JOHN C. FRÉMONT By Jane Marsh Parker (1813–1890)
65OLIVER HAZARD PERRY (1785–1819)
217DAVID LIVINGSTONE By Professor W. G. Blaikie, LL.D. (1813–1873)
66SAM HOUSTON By Amelia E. Barr (1793–1863)
218CYRUS W. FIELD By Murat Halstead (1819–1892)
67WINFIELD SCOTT By Hon. Theodore Roosevelt (1786–1866)
219QUEEN VICTORIA By Donald Macleod, D.D. (BORN 1819–1901)
68ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT By Oliver Optic (1822–1885)
220FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE By Lizzie Alldridge (BORN 1820)
69WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN By Elbridge S. Brooks (1820–1891)
221DR. LOUIS PASTEUR By Dr. Cyrus Edson (1822–1895)
70PHILIP HENRY SHERIDAN (1831–1888)
222GENERAL CHARLES GEORGE GORDON By Colonel R. H. Veitch, R.E. 1833–1885
71ROBERT EDMUND LEE By General Viscount Wolseley (1807–1870)
223GENERAL GEORGE A. CUSTER By Elbridge S. Brooks (1839–1876)
72THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON By Marion Harland (1826–1863)
224HENRY M. STANLEY By Noah Brooks (BORN 1841)
73DAVID GLASCOE FARRAGUT By L. P. Brockett, A.M. (1801–1870)
225THOMAS ALVA EDISON By Clarence Cook (Born 1847)
74DAVID DIXON PORTER (1814–1891)
226Volume 7
75GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI (1807–1882)
227ARTISTS AND AUTHORS
76FIELD-MARSHAL COUNT VON MOLTKE (1800–1891)
228HOMER By William Ewart Gladstone (ABOUT 1000 B.C.)
77GEORGE DEWEY By Major-General Joseph Wheeler (Born 1837)
229PLATO Extracts from "Plato," by George Grote, F.R.S. (427–347 B.C.)
78Volume 3
230VIRGIL (70–19 B.C.)
79STATESMEN AND SAGES
231HORACE By J. W. Mackail (65–8 B.C.)
80MOSES By Henry George (1571–1451 B.C.)
232DANTE By Archdeacon Farrar, D.D., F.R.S. (1265–1321)
81DAVID, KING OF ISRAEL By Margaret E. Sangster (1074–1001 B.C.)
233PETRARCH By Alice King (1304–1374)
82SOLOMON By Rev. Charles F. Deems (1033–975 B.C.)
234GEOFFREY CHAUCER By Alice King (1328–1400)
83LYCURGUS By Rev. Joseph T. Duryea (About 884–820 B.C.)
235TORQUATO TASSO (1544–1595)
84THEMISTOCLES (514–449 B.C.)
236CERVANTES By Joseph Forster (1547–1616)
85PERICLES (499–429 B.C.)
237WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE By Senator John J. Ingalls (1564–1616)
86SOCRATES From the French of Fénelon (468–399 B.C.)
238MOLIÈRE Extracts from "Molière," by Sir Walter Scott (1622–1673)
87DIOGENES From the French of Fénelon (412–323 B.C.)
239JOHN MILTON (1608–1674)
88DEMOSTHENES By E. Benjamin Andrews, Pres't of Brown University. (385–322 B.C.)
240JOHN BUNYAN By John Greenleaf Whittier (1628–1688)
89ARISTOTLE From the French of Fénelon (384–322 B.C.)
241DANIEL DEFOE By Clark Russell (1661–1731)
90ARCHIMEDES By John Timbs, F.S.A. (287–212 B.C.)
242DEAN SWIFT By Samuel Archer (1667–1745)
91MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO By Rev. W. J. Brodribb (106–43 B.C.)
243ALEXANDER POPE By Austin Dorson (1688–1744)
92AUGUSTUS CÆSAR (63 B.C.−14 A.D.)
244VOLTAIRE By M. C. Lockwood, D.D. (1694–1778)
93ST. AMBROSE By Rev. A. A. Lambing, LL.D. (340–397)
245SAMUEL JOHNSON1 By Lord Macaulay (1709–1784)
94ST. AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO By His Eminence James, Cardinal Gibbons (354–430)
246THOMAS CHATTERTON By Colonel Richard Malcolm Johnston (1752–1770)
95ST. PATRICK By Rev. G. F. Maclear, B.D. (ABOUT 372–466)
247ROBERT BURNS By Will Carleton (1759–1796)
96JUSTINIAN THE GREAT (483–565)
248SCHILLER By B. L. Farjeon (1759–1805)
97ST. AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY By Rt. Rev. Henry Codman Potter, Bishop of New York (DIED, 604)
249GOETHE By Rev. Edward Everett Hale (1749–1832)
98MAHOMET (571–632)
250SIR WALTER SCOTT By W. C. Taylor, LL.D. (1771–1832)
99ALFRED THE GREAT By Sir J. Bernard Burke, LL.D. (849–901)
251WILLIAM WORDSWORTH (1770–1850)
100JOHN HUSS By Rev. Dr. Tweedie (1373–1415)
252WASHINGTON IRVING (1783–1859)
101LOUIS XI. OF FRANCE By E. Spencer Beesly, M.A. (1423–1483.)
253JAMES FENIMORE COOPER By President Charles F. Thwing (1789–1851)
102ISABELLA OF CASTILE By Sarah H. Killikelly (1451–1504)
254WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT5 By Richard Henry Stoddard (1794–1878)
103NICHOLAS COPERNICUS By John Stoughton, D.D. (1473–1543)
255THOMAS CARLYLE By W. Wallace (1795–1881)
104MARTIN LUTHER (1483–1546)
256VICTOR HUGO By Margaret O. W. Oliphant (1802–1885)
105CHARLES V. OF GERMANY (1500–1558)
257RALPH WALDO EMERSON By Moncure D. Conway (1803–1882)
106JOHN CALVIN (1509–1564)
258HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW By Hezekiah Butterworth (1807–1882)
107JOHN KNOX By P. Hume Brown (1505–1572)
259ALFRED TENNYSON By Clarence Cook (1809–1892)
108ELIZABETH, QUEEN OF ENGLAND By Samuel L. Knapp (1533–1603)
260CHARLES DICKENS By Walter Besant (1812–1870)
109FRANCIS BACON By Hon. Ignatius Donnelly (1561–1626)
261ROBERT BROWNING (1812–1889)
110GALILEO-GALILEI (1564–1642)
262OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES By Frances H. Underwood (1809–1894)
111CARDINAL RICHELIEU (1585–1642)
263Volume 8
112WILLIAM BRADFORD By Elbridge S. Brooks (1589–1657)
264PAINTERS AND SCULPTORS
113CHARLES I. OF ENGLAND By F. Hindes Groome (1600–1649)
265PHIDIAS By Clarence Cook (ABOUT 500–432 B.C.)
114OLIVER CROMWELL Extracts from "The History of England," by Thomas B. Macaulay (1599–1658)
266LEONARDO DA VINCI By Anna Jameson (1452–1519)
115FREDERICK, THE GREAT ELECTOR (1620–1688)
267MICHAEL ANGELO By Anna Jameson (1474–1564)
116LOUIS XIV. By Oliver Optic (1638–1715)
268RAPHAEL By Mrs. Lee (1483–1520)
117WILLIAM PENN (1644–1718)
269TITIAN By Giorgio Vasari1 1477–1576
118Volume 4
270ALBERT DÜRER By W. J. Holland, Chancellor of the Western University of Pennsylvania (1471–1528)
119WILLIAM III. OF ENGLAND (1650–1702)
271RUBENS By Mrs. Lee (1577–1640)
120ISAAC NEWTON By John Stoughton, D.D. (1642–1727)
272REMBRANDT By Elizabeth Robins Pennell (1606–1669)
121PETER THE GREAT (1672–1725)
273WILLIAM HOGARTH (1697–1764)
122MARIA THERESA By Anna C. Brackett (1717–1780)
274SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS By Samuel Archer (1723–1792)
123EDMUND BURKE By Dr. Heinrich Geffcken (1730–1797)
275BENJAMIN WEST By Martha J. Lamb2 (1738–1820)
124BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (1706–1790)
276THORWALDSEN By Hans Christian Andersen (1770–1844)
125PATRICK HENRY By General Bradley T. Johnson (1736–1799)
277JEAN-FRANÇOIS MILLET By Clarence Cook (1814–1875)
126GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732–1799)
278MEISSONIER By Clarence Cook (1813–1891)
127JOHN ADAMS By Edwin Williams (1735–1826)
279ROSA BONHEUR By Clarence Cook (BORN 1822)
128THOMAS JEFFERSON By Hon. John B. Henderson (1743–1826)
280GÉRÔME By Clarence Cook (BORN 1824)
129ALEXANDER HAMILTON (1757–1804)
281DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI By Edmund Gosse (1828–1882)
130COUNT DE MIRABEAU By Charles S. Hathaway (1749–1791)
282GUSTAVE DORÉ3 By Kenyon Cox (1832–1883)
131MAXIMILIEN ROBESPIERRE (1758–1794)
283COMPOSERS
132JEAN HENRI PESTALOZZI By Harriet Martineau (1746–1827)
284HANDEL By C. E. Bourne (1685–1759)
133GEORGES CUVIER By John Stoughton, D.D. (1769–1832)
285MOZART By C. E. Bourne (1756–1791)
134ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT2 By Louis Agassiz (1769–1859)
286HAYDN By C. E. Bourne (1732–1809)
135DANIEL O'CONNELL By Justin McCarthy (1775–1847)
287BEETHOVEN By C. E. Bourne (1770–1827)
136SIMON BOLIVAR By Hon. John P. St. John (1783–1830)
288PAGANINI (1784–1840)
137JEAN FRANÇOIS CHAMPOLLION By Georg Ebers (1790–1832)
289MENDELSSOHN By C. E. Bourne (1809–1847)
138ANDREW JACKSON3 By Colonel Thomas Wentworth Higginson (1767–1845)
290FRANZ LISZT By Rev. Hugh R. Haweis, M.A. (1811–1886)
139DANIEL WEBSTER By Rev. Dr. Tweedie (1782–1852)
291RICHARD WAGNER By Franklin Peterson, Mus. Bac. (1813–1883)
140WILLIAM HENRY SEWARD By Hon. Charles E. Fitch (1801–1872)
292GIUSEPPE VERDI (BORN 1813)
141ABRAHAM LINCOLN By Terence Vincent Powderly (1809–1865)
293DRAMATIC AND LYRIC ARTISTS
142HORACE GREELEY By Noah Brooks (1811–1872)
294DAVID GARRICK By Samuel Archer (1716–1779)
143LOUIS AGASSIZ4 By Asa Gray (1807–1873)
295EDWIN FORREST5 By Lawrence Barrett (1806–1872)
144CHARLES DARWIN Extracts from "Life and Letters of Charles Darwin," by Arch. Geikie, LL.D., F.R.S. (1809–1882)
296CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN By Dutton Cook (1816–1876)
145LOUIS ADOLPHE THIERS (1797–1877)
297RACHEL By Dutton Cook (1821–1858)
146LÉON GAMBETTA (1838–1882)
298EDWIN BOOTH By Clarence Cook (1833–1893)
147BENJAMIN DISRAELI By Harriet Prescott Spofford (1804–1881)
299JOSEPH JEFFERSON By Clarence Cook (BORN 1829)
148WILLIAM EWART GLADSTONE By Justin McCarthy (Born 1809)
300ADELINA PATTI By Frederick F. Buffen (BORN 1843)
149PRINCE VON BISMARCK6 By Prince Outisky (1815–1898)
301SARAH BERNHARDT By H. S. Edwards (BORN 1844)
150CHARLES STEWART PARNELL By Thomas Davidson (1846–1891)
302Analysis
151WILLIAM McKINLEY By Rossiter Johnson (1843–1901)
303Reflection
152GROVER CLEVELAND By Clarence Cook (BORN 1837)