Harriet Beecher Stowe, abolitionist
June 14, 1811-July 1, 1896
A Picture Book Biography of Harriet Beecher Stowe by David A. Adler, illustrated by Colin Bootman (Holiday House, paper, 2004)
From Stowe’s childhood impressions of slavery to her book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, this woman of integrity fought for justice for African-Americans.
A Celebration of Women at the Penn Digital Library features biographical and bibliographic information on Stowe.
Red Grange, athlete
June 13, 1903-January 28, 1991
Lives of the Athletes: Thrills, Spills (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1997)
Grange, a college football player-turned-professional was the first to make $100,000 a year. And yes, he had red hair.
A bio and stats of Grange can be found at the Official Site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
George H. W. Bush, U.S. President
June 12, 1924-
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
Bush banned broccoli from the White House. Number 41, was a former director of the CIA and the father of five, one whom would become Number 43.
The George Bush Presidential Library on the campus of Texas A&M is the source for Bush info.
Anne Frank, writer
June 12, 1929-February/March, 1945
A Picture Book Biography of Anne Frank by David A. Adler, illustrated by Karen Ritz (Holiday House, 1994)
The world knows Anne Frank because of the diary she kept while the Nazis reigned. This book describes Frank’s life before, during and after she and her family went into hiding.
Read the story of Frank, visit the museum, try the activities and catch the latest news of the Anne Frank House.
Helen Lester, writer
June 12, 19??-
Author: A True Story by Helen Lester (Houghton Mifflin, paper, 2002)
A lively account of how Lester, an acclaimed picture book author found her passion.
Lester’s website offers an interview with her, a photo album and a look at her books.
Peter the Great, political leader
June 9, 1672-February 8, 1725
Peter the Great by Diane Stanley (HarperCollins, 1999)
A Tsar from the age of ten, Peter the Great worked to bring Russia into the modern world.
A brief bio of Peter the Great can be found at the St. Petersburg Times.
Phillis Wheatley, poet
c. 1753/54-Dec. 5, 1784
A Voice of Her Own: A Story of Phillis Wheatley, Slave Poet by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Paul Lee (Candlewick, 2005)
The first published African-American woman poet is remembered in this story about her life. Sold into slavery and purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston, Massachusetts, she learned to read and write. Wheatley’s first poem was published when she was 13. Stirring.
Wheatley’s bio is posted on the University of Delaware site that has a volume of Wheatley poems in their collection. Another short bio of Wheatley appears on a PBS page.
