A biography is a true story about a person's life.
Mrs. Ranney's Class has been reading biographies about
people who have made significant contributions to our world!
*********************
We have each read a
biography on our own.
Artists, inventors, statesman,
composers, doctors,
aviators, astronauts, and pioneers
in many fields
in many fields
are among the amazing historical figures
about whom we have read!
about whom we have read!
********************
Now that you are an expert on your biography subject,
please leave a comment as if you are that person!
Be sure to include at least 3 facts you learned.
Watch the comments to see if you can converse with another biography subject you may know!
(Family members: You may want to choose your own biography subject and join in the conversation!)
Howdy Mrs. Ranney’s Class!
ReplyDeleteAs the first African American to earn an international pilot's license, I am mighty proud to be commenting on this here blog! I was born in 1892, in Texas, and back in my day, I didn’t use a computer at all! This is all new to me!
When I earned my pilot’s license, there weren’t many opportunities for women pilots in the United States, and especially not for African American women. I’ve heard times have changed, and I’m so glad to hear it! I’ve also heard that there have been many changes in air travel. Maybe some of you will be able to tell me about that!
I’m surely looking forward to seeing who else shows up here on the blog! I hope to hear from some other fellow aviators, as well as other important people!
All the best,
Bessie Coleman
Dear Mrs. Coleman,
DeleteI am also a pilot and I received my pilot license from Wapak Flying Service in 1946. Thereafter, I worked in the Navy for many years testing jet planes and rockets.
On May 6, 1968, I almost died because my LLRV engine started to shake and it backfired. Right before the LLRV exploded into flames I pulled the emergency eject button and parachuted safely back down to the ground.
As the first man to walk on the moon in 1969, I experienced touching the moon and getting space rocks and soil for scientists to observe back here on Earth. On July 24, 1969 I splashed down in the Pacific Ocean about 950 miles southwest of Hawaii. Did you know that I had to stay with doctors for several weeks upon my return, to make sure that I did not have any space germs or diseases so that I would not infect anyone?
It is very exciting to meet a fellow aviator on the blog. I think you would be very impressed to see the improvements in flying vehicles and that we were able to launch a ship into space and have it return safely back to Earth. As I like to say, that's one small step for a man and one giant leap for mankind.
Cheers,
Neil Armstrong (The man on the moon.)
Dear Neil,
DeleteMy name is Thomas Jefferson, and I was the third president.
I was born 200 years before you in 1743, and I died on 1826. If you do the math, I was 83 years old. I cannot believe that there are airplanes and rockets that can go up into the air! In my time, horse travel was an all-round trip. :-) I do believe that was one of a small step for a man and one giant leap for mankind.
Fondly,
Thomas Jefferson
{AKA Peter]
Good Day Madam and Children,
ReplyDeleteHad I lived long enough, I am sure I would have invented a similar machine to this here computer I am "blogging" on. I loved to invent items that could help people live better, easier lives.
When I was a mere boy I built a lab in my basement and made batteries, magnets and magnifying glasses.
I invented the way your Great Great Grandparents listened to music: the record and record player. ( I do love your new fangled ITUNES!)
I invented the lightbulb and the first power-plant to bring electricity into homes and buildings. Why I do believe your town's power company bear's my name: Southern California Edison!
I am much obliged to you all for allowing me to visit on this here computing machine.
Kindest Regards,
Mr. Thomas Edison
Greetings Mrs. Ranney and Class,
ReplyDeleteI am Peter Tchaikovsky, famous Russian composer and musician, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to speak to you all. I started playing the piano when I was a very young boy, five years old to be exact, and would often play the music of Mozart on our family's piano. I was also accomplished at playing the flute. However, my parents did not want me to become a musician, and they sent me to study law when I was a teenager. Law was not for me and at the age of 21, I left my job in the law office and went to study music and composition at a new school in St. Petersburg. I learned from 2 brothers who saw my talent and encouraged my interest in music. By the time I was 37 years old, I had written 3 operas, 3 symphonies, 1 ballet, and many other pieces of music. I am most proud of Swan Lake, a ballet I wrote, and one particular piece from that ballet, the Nutcracker Suite. You might have heard this piece of music, as it is often played during the holiday season, and I have read that it was recorded by almost every famous composer! Over my lifetime I composed around 169 pieces of music so as you can see, music is truly what I enjoy. Finally, I was the first composer to perform in New York at Carnegie Hall, a very famous place to hear music, in 1891 where I played 6 concerts in 5 days. I hope that you all find something in life that you love and that makes you feel alive. For me, that is music.
Musically Yours,
Mr. Peter Tchaikovsky
Dear Mrs. Ranney and class,
ReplyDeleteI am John F. Kennedy, I am the thirty-fifth president and also the youngest man ever elected. I was also the first Roman Catholic president. On September 12th, 1953 I married Jaqueline Lee Bouvier.
My first son John Jr was born in 1963.
I wrote a book called Profiles in courage in 1957 and won a Pulitzer Prize.
I never finished my first term , I was assassinated in Dallas , Texas on November 22, 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald. I served less than three years as a president but I am best remembered for leading the country through the Cuban missile crisis.
Sincerely,
Massimo
Greetings Mrs.Ranney and Class,
ReplyDeleteHello! I am Paul Revere the second because my Dad had the same name as me. Gee, you guys need to check this Laptop thing out! It is amazing! So nice of Henry Wadsworth to write a poem about me called "Paul Revere's Ride". As I was saying, I was born in Boston on New Years Day 1735.
In my childhood, I went to an all-boys' school were I learned to read and write. When I was 13, I went to work as a silversmith. When I was 15, me and 6 friends formed a society to ring 8 large bells in the steeple of Christ Church which is now called Old North Church. Sadly, my father passed away when I was 19.
I decided to become a soldier, which was a good thing because I fought against the French and then the British.
Most people know me because William Dawes and I rode our horses to warn all the people in Boston when the British started attacking.
Sorry to be so short, but I need to go back to my silversmith shop in Boston heaven.
Good luck and enjoy your freedom as Americans. Go Red Socks!
Sincerely,
Paul Revere
Dear Mrs. Ranney’s class
ReplyDeleteGood day children. It is a true pleasure to “blog” with you all. In my day, we had no such invention as this computer. Anyhow, a bit about me, my name is Levi Strauss and I would like to share some facts about myself. I was born on February 26, 1829, in Buttenheim, Bavaria. Did you know that the company named Levi is named after me? The company name is Levi Strauss & Co. I began the company in 1853, when I moved to California. I am proud to say that my company is still today one of the most successful clothing manufacturers. I made pants for the miners during the time the gold rush started. The pants were known as jeans, made from sturdy cotton. The jeans I created allowed the gold miners to carry the gold in their pockets.
I am so surprised of how many new things there are to see here! Back in my day we didn’t have all these new things like ITUNES, cell phones, and such advance ways to communicate with others.
Well I have to wrap things up and get back to my work!
Kindest regards,
Levi Strauss
Dear Levi,
DeleteI just wanted to thank you for starting your company. My favorite pair of pants that I wear all the time are "Levis" (that's what we call them now). I'm so glad that you invented those sturdy cotton pants for the miners to carry their gold. I like to carry things in my pockets too.
Thanks for sharing some interesting facts with us!
Erin (Colin's mom)
Ciao Mrs.Ranney and class!
ReplyDeleteMi chiamo (my name is) Leonardo da Vinci a famous italian artist. You may know me from my famous painting the Mona Lisa. I was born April 15, 1452 in the small italian town of Vinci; that was a long time ago!
When I was young I drew animals, plants, insects, flowers, and birds. I also lived in a time when people all over Europe were interested in art. They wanted their houses,churches,and cities to be filled with magnificent statues and paintings. This period of time was called the Renaissance.
I wasn't just famous for being an artist. I was famous for doing a lot of things like being an architect,a musician,sculptor,scientist, an inventor,and a mathematician.
My last name da Vinci means of Vinci. I kept the town name as my last name. In my later years, King Francis of France invited me to become his royal painter,engineer,and architect.
When i was 60 years old, I created a self portrait and that was the only evidence of my face! Lastly but not least i died on May 2, 1519.
Ci vediamo dopo! (see you later!) I have painting to finish!
Arrivederci,(Goodbye,)
Leonardo da Vinci
Dear Mrs. Ranney's class,
ReplyDeleteHelpful Florence here. I am so excited to be blogging with your class. I always loved school and worked very hard at my studies even though it wasn't encouraged by my parents. I never had the chance to use one of these computers, as you call it. I used to spend my time playing nurse with my dolls which helped me prepare for my future. Due to all of my hard work at school, I learned to become a nurse. I trained many others to be nurses and organized hospitals to be better at helping their patients. I was also the first woman to work in a British military hospital and to treat soldiers during the Crimea war. I hear today that it is common for women to work as doctors as well as nurses. I hope one of you girls in room nine will become a doctor and help many people. I always believed this was my calling from God. Maybe it is yours too? Sorry, I have to go now. There is a patient in my waiting room needing my attention.
Your helpful nurse,
Florence Nightingale
Top of the morning Mrs. Ranney and class,
ReplyDeleteI am Elizabeth Blackwell, born in Gloucestershire, England on February 3, 1821. If I were still alive I would be exactly 193 years old! My Dad, Samuel Blackwell, had trouble with his businesses so we moved around a lot. Our last move brought us to New York.
My best friend is Florence Nightingale. She went to medical school with me.
When I went to medical school, I chose to be a surgeon. One day when I was a surgeon I accidentally squirted a strong medicine and was blinded in my left eye. Before I could go to medical school I didn’t have enough money to go there, so my mom let me turn our house into a girl school. Now people have the Elizabeth Blackwell award for a woman physician each year who has made out standing contributions to the cause of woman in medicine. Oh no! I have to go, Florence is putting the wrong medicine in.
Stay Healthy,
Elizabeth Blackwell
Bonjour Mrs. Ranney & Class -
ReplyDeleteI am the world's most famous Jewish painter, and I am so happy to see this magical canvas where you can find almost any beautiful thing you can imagine! I was born in the Russian Empire in 1887, and I lived in a very poor village. I never saw anyone draw or any art until I was a teenager! I had to imagine crazy scenes to entertain myself (there were no computers or TVs or video games). When I was 19 I finally enrolled in art school, and I began to draw some of the exciting things I had always imagined like people floating.
I eventually moved to France to work on my art, and I became known for my bright colors and silly images like goats playing the violin (which reminded me of my beloved uncle who played the violin back in our village). You can see my famous stained-glass windows in many synagogues all over the world!
Good luck with your biography projects!
Adieu,
Marc Chagall
Marc Chagall,
DeleteSuch a pleasure to have this opportunity to "blog" with you. I am a big admirer of your art work. It's great fun to read about your life and how you began to paint.
I am lucky enough to have had the opportunity to purchase three of your lithographs that I have displayed in my home. I can only hope to own one of your original paintings one day.
Adieu,
Nancy (Noah's Mom)
Dear Nancy,
DeleteI am so glad that you love my art! I worked very hard on it. I'm sure Colin's mom, Erin, would love to see your lithographs sometime. I hope she remembers to look for them next time she is at your house.
Adieu,
Marc C.
Dear Mrs. Ranney & Class -
ReplyDeleteDid you ever stop to think about the computer you use at home or school? How about your iPad or iPhone? Do you enjoy listening to music or watching movies on your iTouch? When I was just a young man, my friend and I built homemade computers, and we called the computers "apple." Why did we call it apple? Because we were thinking of Sir Isaac Newton discovering gravity by watching an apple fall to the ground.
Our computers were very popular because they were small, easy for people to use, and not too expensive. Our company grew, and today we are one of the biggest technology companies in the world!
I hope you enjoy reading this on a device that is probably from my company.
Think Different (that's our company slogan),
Steve Jobs
Dear Steve Jobs,
DeleteYou invented this! How did you do such a thing?! What do you mean this is not expensive. This cost 1,400 dollars! I lived in the 1700's so I don't know how much this cost before, and I don't want to know.
I am so impressed and jealous at the same time... or is there no such thing? I'd like to speak more and hear about the futuristic world but I just got a customer...yes would you like gold or silver? No, swords those take a long time... Oh fine. Bye Steve.
Truly Yours,
Paul Revere
Hi Girls and Boys,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Juliette Gordon Low. I was born on Halloween in 1860 in Savannah, Georgia. My nickname is Daisy. I like to swim, play tennis, ride horse, and draw! I started Girl Guides and it helped me think of Girl Scouts. On the day I was married a grain of rice lodged in my ear causing an infection and hearing loss in the other ear. I could no longer hear, but my ability to imagine a future for helpful children who would grow to be thoughtful citizens was strong.
With kindness,
Daisy 🌺
A most wonderful day to you, Mrs. Ranney and children,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Theodore Roosevelt, a.k.a. "Teddy," "TR," "The Trust Buster," or America's 26th President. What a joy to write to a group of young ones! I am very fond of children, and had five of them myself. After the death of my first wife, and my stint as a rancher, I married my childhood friend, Edith. Our home was happy, loving, and filled with toys. Telling the youngin's stories was one of my favorite hobbies!
I wasn’t just a family man, though: As president, I had gravely important matters to attend to. When I was inaugurated into office at age 42 (the youngest president in U.S. history by the way), I created the Department of Commerce and Labor, which helped American workers receive fair treatment. I called my policies "The Square Deal" because I wanted all citizens to be treated fair and square. I also signed the Pure Food and Drug Act, the Meat Inspection Act, and passed laws to get the Panama Canal Built.
Did you know that the Teddy Bear was named after me? It's true! I refused to shoot a bear while hunting in Mississippi (I have always loved natural history and being outdoors); so the creator of the stuffed bear asked me if he could name it after me. Well, why not? I thought. Say, have you ever owned a Teddy Bear?
Another interesting tidbit you may not know about me is that I gave the White House its name. Before I changed it, some called it “the Presidential Palace” or “the Executive Mansion.” Which name do you prefer? I fancy “the White House” because it's not as formal and intimidating.
In 1906, just 13 years before my death, I won the Nobel Peace Prize for my efforts to help the Russians and Japanese work out their disagreements. My face is also forever carved on the famous Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.
Well, children, I must conclude, and I do so with one of my favorite sayings, a maxim that has lasted throughout the years:
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are,”
TR
Dear Mrs. Ranney and class,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Mary Cassatt. I am a artist who paint pictures. I was born on May 22, 1884 in Pennsylvania. I love to paint realistic pictures of people and landscapes. When I was little, I moved to Paris, France. I had to beg my parents to let me take art lessons. Finally, after a while, they let me go to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. When I first started I would copy paintings of famous artists. There were very few great artists in Pennsylvania so I moved back to France. I became a good artist (if I don't say so myself). I entered one of my paintings in the Paris Salon (the Salon was an important place to have art shown). People from all over the world come to see and sometimes buy your paintings at the Salon. It's hard to get a painting into the Salon, especially if you're female. In 1872, a painting by myself titled "On the Balcony" , was accepted by the judges of the great Salon. A couple years later I feel in love with the works of Edgar Degas and we became very close friends. He inspired me to use brighter colors and influenced me greatly. In 1892, I was invited to paint a huge mural for the Woman's Building at the Chicago World's Fair. It was my greatest honor to date. I realized that my paintings of mother's and their babies were the most successful.
Sincerely,
Mary
Dear Class,
ReplyDeleteI am Ronald Reagan. I am the 40th President of the U.S. There are a few painters on this blog. Could any of you paint a portrait of a jelly bean for me?
On February 6, 1911 I was born. I practically saved the world by ending the Cold War.
Sincerely,
President Reagan
H-E-L-L-O! Mrs. Ranney's Class,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Helen Keller. I was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama on June 27,1880. My father’s name is Arthur Keller and my mother’s name is Kate Adams. I have a sister, Mildred who was five years younger and a brother, Phillips who was twelve years younger than me. When I was 19 months old, I had a brain fever but there was no medicine to treat it at that time. After I recovered from the brain fever, it left blindness and deafness on me.
When I turned six years old, my parents brought me to a special doctor Alexander Graham Bell who had helped many blind children.
I met Anne Sullivan on March 3, 1887. It was a beginning of my new life. Before I met my teacher, Anne, I only used sign or sound to express myself, like “wa-wa” for water, shook my head for no or nodded my head to say yes.
I admitted to Radcliffe College and received a Bachelor Degree of Arts. I am the first blind-deaf person who received a BA.
I had a chance to marry with Peter Fagan. We had a secret marriage plan but it couldn’t happen because my mom didn’t like Peter and she took me back to Alabama.
The Miracle Worker is a movie based on my life story. If you have any chance, please watch with your family.
Sincerely,
HeLen lleLLer
Dear Mrs.Ranney,
ReplyDeleteHello, I am Milton Snavely Hershey. I was an American confectioner, philanthropist and founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company.
I was born on September 13, 1857. My family members of Pennsylvania's Mennonite community. My ancestors were Swiss and German so I grew up speaking German language.
In 1887 I've established the Lancaster Caramel Company which became a big success.
In 1909 I have established the Hershey Industrial School.
I have passed away at the age of 88 on October 14 1945, in Hershey Hospital, a year after I had retired form the board of directors. My life was an inspiration.
Your Friend,
Milton
Hey there Mrs. Ranney's class,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Susan B. Anthony. I have never been on a computer or anything like that so it's hard for me to do this. Here are some facts about my life:I was born in Adams, Massachusetts on February 15, 1820.I snuck into the election room and put a vote in the box, but after I did that, the cops caught me.I was arrested for voting because only boys were allowed to vote.
Happy to be on your blog,
Susan B. Anthony
(Jacob)
Greetings from the sky Mrs. Ranney and class,
ReplyDeleteIt's Amelia Earh♥rt here at your service! I'd like to take a little time out of my busy flying schedule to let you get to know a bit about me. I was born July 24th 1897 (which makes me over 100 years old!) in Atchison, Kansas. I first became interested in flying when I took my very first ride in a plane right here in California. After that I was hooked! I received my pilots licence in 1922 and also set a new world record that year for women's altitude at 14,000 feet. That was the first of may records set by me, the most important of them being my solo Atlantic flight in 1932.
I must fly...chocks away,
Amelia
H-E-L-L-O! Amelia
DeleteI'm Helen Keller. Amelia, is it amazing that even though we are over a hundred years old, people still remember us? When was your very first flight and where did you travel as a pilot? Can you describe the view from the cockpit? As you know, I am blind-deaf, so I just can imagine about the view of sky. When Anne Sullivan wanted me to stay with her alone in the cottage near my house, my parents took me the wagon ride around my house for 2 hours to trick me. The cottage was located near my house in walking distance. I thought I was very far from my house...I wish I could fly with you.
Sincerely,
HeLen IIeLLer (It is my signature!)
Hello Mrs. Ranney and Class,
ReplyDeleteI am Tansu Ciller, the first and so far only female Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey. I was Prime Minister of Turkey from 1993 - 1996. Before becoming Prime Minister of Turkey I studied and received my graduate degrees from three different universities in America. I also worked in Turkey as a professor and an economist.
Now, I am certainly not the first female elected leader of a country in modern history. Many other women came before me like Golda Meir who was Prime Minister of Israel from 1969 - 1974. There was also Corazon Aquino who was President of the Philippines from 1986 - 1992. Of course being a woman doesn't make a person a better leader necessarily, but I think that having a country and population that can elect any person regardless of gender or race is a good thing.
I hear in the news that a woman may be running for president in your country. That's great!
I will share one fact with you. The 7th president of Turkey was named Kenan. I believe you have a classmate by that name who did a biography on an American president.
People can lead in many ways and I hope each of you children will lead great lives in your own way.
Regards,
Tansu
Dear Mrs. Ranney and class,
ReplyDeleteThe year was 1860 when I was born to slaves in Missouri, I was a sick little baby, my father died and my mom was left to take care of me and my brother.
Times were hard, mean people tried to harm us, they came to the farm of Moses Carver the man who owned my mother and took us with them.Moses sent out men to find us, my mom was never found but they brought me back.
Moses and his wife took care of me and my brother, I was a curious child and had many questions which the Carver's could never answer.
I wanted to learn and go to school, but schools did not except blacks so I decided to take off and get some education, I was 10 years old. Wherever I found a school that I could go to, I worked for people so that I could stay, some people treated me like family and took care of me, I did all kinds of chores, I was willing to help with anything.
I worked for many years so that I could save money for college, I was 30 years old when I finally had enough, but not all schools were open to blacks. I had moved to Iowa where I found a college that would have me, I played the piano, sang and painted, I thought I would become an artist.
I wanted to help people, I was always good in taking care of things, I loved to grow plants so I decided to study agriculture, I experimented with my own plants and found out things no one else knew.
When I finished college I began teaching, I was offered a job in Alabama, it was at Tuskegee Institute.
I taught the farmers how to plant all kinds of things so that the soil will get better each year, the farmers were scared that other than cotton no one will buy anything and they didn't want to listen.
I knew that if they planted sweet potatoes and peanuts, they would be able to make lots of different food and when I had guests I made sure the meal they had was made entirely out of peanuts.
Slowly the people started listening to me and they planted peanuts and sweet potatoes and these became the most important crops in Alabama.
I was honored by the president, and I received letters asking me for advise.
I have spent most of my life doing things for myself, I lived alone and continued being a scientist, from someone who was born with no hope, I gave hope to other people.
Cheers,
George Washington Carver ( Leann)
Hello class,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Barack Obama and I am the current president of the United States of America.
I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1961. I became the first African-American president in 2008 and I am now serving my second term as president.
I am glad that you invited me on this blog!
Cheers,
Barack Obama
Good afternoon, Class!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Katherine Anne Couric, but you can call me Katie! I am known for having been a television host on all the Big Three television networks in the United States.
I was born on January 7, 1957 in Arlington, Virginia. I attended Arlington Public Schools where I was a cheerleader and interned at Washington, D.C.’s all-news radio station WAVA. Going on to college, I attended the University of Virginia where I was a Delta Delta Delta sorority sister and worked on UVA’s daily newspaper.
Over the years, I have accomplished many things as an American television journalist, author and talk show host. For my success, I have received many awards, including the Walter Cronkite Award for Journalism Excellence, a Daytime Emmy, and the Peabody Award for television reporting. However, the most important thing that I have learned, both personally, as a mother of 2, and professionally, is the importance of listening.
I often say that, “I never learned anything when I was talking.” This has proven very true for me in life as I have learned to be gracious, make people feel comfortable, put them at ease, and really try to listen for important information, especially from someone who is not direct. I challenge you to focus on the importance of listening not just as students, but all throughout your life.
Much success,
Katie
Hello everybody!
ReplyDeleteI am Eleanor Roosevelt and I was born on October 11,1884 in New York City. My mother Anna died when I was young so I had to live with Grandmother Hall. I did not have many people to play with because my closest brother died. Most of my time I read, practiced German, French, and piano.
When I got older I did many more things, like helping people and children. Once I saw children who had to work a long time before they got a break. Franklin D. Roosevelt my husband and I helped the children because we thought it was unfair. I became first lady in 1933. I also received 48 honorary degrees during my life.
I am very happy I got to visit this blog!
Goodbye,
Eleanor Roosevelt
Dear Class,
ReplyDeleteI am Franklin D. Roosevelt. I am the 32nd president of the United States of America. I was born on January 30, 1882 in Hyde Park, New York. I was president during the Great Depression, when people were struggling to survive. I was also president during World War II. I helped the U.S. people get through these tough times.
I will leave you with one of my most famous quotes: “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much. It is whether we provide enough for those who have little.”
Yours Truly,
Franklin D. Roosevelt