Molly Brown, activist and philanthropist
July 18, 1867-October 26, 1932
The Heroine of the Titanic by Joan W. Blos, illustrated by Tennessee Dixon (HarperCollins, 1991)
A survivor of the Titanic, Brown was responsible for saving many lives during the disaster as well as spearheading a fund to raise money for surviving passengers who needed assistance after the tragedy.
Denver’s Historic Molly Brown House has a website devoted to “accurately portray the story of Margaret Tobin Brown.” There are lots of great things to explore in the Just for Kids section.
Nelson Mandela, political leader
July 18, 1918-
Mandela: From the Life of the South African Statesman by Floyd Cooper (Philomel, 1996)
Mandela, an anti-apartheid activist, became the first President of South Africa elected by blacks and whites.
You’ll find information about Mandela and his work at the Nelson Mandela Foundation site.
Ida B. Wells-Barnett, educator and journalist
July 16, 1862-Mar. 25, 1931
Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference by Joyce Hansen (Scholastic, 1998)
Born in Civil War times, Wells-Barnett was first a teacher. Then she was a part owner of a newspaper where she exposed the injustices of segregation in print.
Thomson Gale Co.is in the educational publishing business and posts a biography of Wells-Barnett on their website.
Rembrandt Van Rijn, artist
July 15, 1606-October 4, 1669
Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1995)
Rembrandt was a Dutch painter. The Night Watch is his most famous painting.
Check out the biography of Rembrandt at the WebMuseum, Paris.
Gerald Ford, U. S. President
July 14, 1913-December 26, 2006
Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 1998)
Number 38 loved orange chocolate cake. A former football star and congressman, Ford had a dog named Liberty when he was in the White House.
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum has biographical and primary source materials on Ford.
Woody Guthrie, musician
July 14, 1912-October 3, 1967
Woody Guthrie: Poet of the People by Bonnie Christensen (Knopf, 2001)
This is a celebration of folk singer Guthrie’s life—through the good times and the bad.
The Official Woody Guthrie Website contains lyrics, photos, a biography and more.
Henry Thoreau, writer
July 12, 1817-May 6, 1862
Walking with Henry: Based on the Life and Works of Henry David Thoreau by Thomas Locker (Fulcrum, 2002)
Based on Thoreau’s writing, this is a fictionalized account of a trek with the man who loved nature and believed in simple living.
Read Henry David Thoreau: Who He Was & Why He Matters at Thoreau.eserver.org.
Kristi Yamaguchi, athlete
July 12, 1971-
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy (Charlesbridge, 2005)
K is for Kristi Yamaguchi, Olympic figure skater and champion of others.
Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation has a bio and photos of the skating star
