Wisconsin Lives

Biographies of Famous Wisconsinites

Click on the subject's name to view biographies owned in InfoSoup. Selecting online biography will take you to articles from Biography Resource Center. A library card is required from outside an InfoSoup library to access the online biographies.

Created by the Reference Staff of the Appleton Public Library, 10/06  

Actor | Architect | Artist | Athlete | Aviator | Business Leader | Director | Entertainer | Historian | Indian Leader | Jurist | Murderer | Musician | Politician | Writer |

Actor

Alfred Lunt and his wife Lynn Fontanne formed America's greatest acting team. Dictionary of American Biography, Supplement 10

As an actor, Pat O'Brien appeared in more than 100 movies. He is probably best remembered for the title role in "Knute Rockne--All American." Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives, Volume 1

Often hailed as one of America's greatest actors, Spencer Tracy won two Academy Awards as Best Actor. Dictionary of American Biography, Supplement 8: 1966-1970

Orson Welles was an actor, director, producer, and writer, probably best known for his film "Citizen Kane," for which he won an Academy Award. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed.

Architect

Frank Lloyd Wright is considered by many to be America's greatest architect. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed.

Artist

The artist Georgia O'Keefe is best known for her paintings of flowers and the desert southwest. Contemporary Artists, 4th ed

Athlete

Robert Patrick "Rocky" Bleier graduated from Appleton's Xavier High School, where he was a three-time All-State pick as a running back before going on to play for the University of Notre Dame. He fought in the Vietnam War and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Overcoming his war injuries, Bleier won four Super Bowls playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Contemporary Authors Online, Gale, 2002.

In 1980, his skills as a speed skater enabled Eric Heiden to win five gold medals in a single Olympics. Encyclopedia of World Biography Supplement, Vol. 24

Known as one of the world's best speed skaters, Dan Jansen won an Olympic gold medal in 1994. Notable Sports Figures

Bob Uecker turned a mediocre career as a baseball player into a successful one as announcer, actor, and humorist. St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture.

Aviator

Richard Bong was the leading American ace of World War II. In three tours of duty in the Pacific, he shot down 40 enemy aircraft and was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1944. Merriam-Webster's Biographical Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Incorporated, 1995.

As a military officer, Billy Mitchell was a leading proponent of air defense. Encyclopedia of World Biography Supplement, Vol. 20

Donald "Deke" Slayton was one of the original seven Mercury astronauts. Contemporary Authors Online

Business Leader

Seymour Cray was one of the founding fathers of the computer industry. Seeking to process vast amounts of mathematical data needed to simulate physical phenomena, Cray built what many consider the first supercomputer. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998.

Along with William Harley, Arthur Davidson formed the Harley-Davidson motorcycle company in Milwaukee in 1903. Business Leader Profiles for Students. Vol. 1

Ole Evinrude invented the outboard boat engine. World of Invention

Director

Considered one of the great movie directors of Hollywood's golden age, Hawks' films include "Scarface," "Only Angels Have Wings," "His Girl Friday," Sergeant York," and "Red River." Dictionary of American Biography, Supplement 10: 1976-1980

Entertainer

Often called the world's greatest magician and escape artist, Harry Houdini spent his childhood in Appleton. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed.

A comedian, Jackie Mason based his routines on Jewish life and culture, winning a Tony Award for his one-man Broadway show. Contemporary Authors Online

The Ringling Brothers started a circus in their hometown of Baraboo, which later merged with the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Almanac of Famous People, 8th ed.

Historian

A noted historian and diplomat, George F. Kennan is best known as the creator of the "containment" policy for dealing with the Soviet Union. Contemporary Authors Online,

The historian Frederick Jackson Turner is remembered for his essay,"The Significance of the Frontier in American History," which led to a new way of looking at U.S. history. Dictionary of American Biography

Indian Leader

As a Sauk Indian chief, also known as Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak (Black Sparrow Hawk), he led the Black Hawk War against white settlers in the upper midwest in 1832. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998

Chief Oshkosh was a Menominee Indian of the Owasse clan who worked for peaceful co-existence with white settlers. Notable Native Americans

Jurist

William Rehnquist served as an Associate Justice and Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed.

Murderer

Lawrencia "Laurie" Bembenek (also known as "Bambi"), garnered national attention when she was convicted of murdering her husband's ex-wife in 1981. Wikipedia

Found guilty of 15 murders, Jeffrey Dahmer is Wisconsin's most notorious killer. Newsmakers 1995, Issue 4

The actions of serial killer Ed Gein served as the basis for Robert Bloch's novel, "Psycho," which was later adapted to film by Alfred Hitchcock. World of Criminal Justice, 2002

Musician

A clarinetist and saxophonist, Woody Herman is considered to be one of the greatest of jazz bandleaders. Contemporary Musicians, Volume 12

Trained as a pianist, Liberace is remembered for his flamboyant showmanship. Contemporary Musicians, Volume 9

Considered one of America's greatest guitarists, Les Paul was also a pioneer in recording technology. Contemporary Musicians, Volume 2

Politician

As Wisconsin governor and senator, Robert La Follette was a leading force for the Progressive movement in early 20th century politics. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed

As a U.S. senator from Wisconsin, Joseph McCarthy became the world's most famous anti-communist. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed

Though born in the Ukraine and raised in Milwaukee, Golda Meir became Israel's fourth prime minister. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed

For 30 years, William Proxmire was a United States senator from Wisconsin, famous for his Golden Fleece Awards to highlight wasteful government spending. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed.

One of the founders of Wisconsin's Republican party, Carl Schurz was a prominent national political leader and served as secretary of the Interior under President Rutherford B. Hayes. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed.

William Vilas served as a senator from Wisconsin and served as postmaster general and secretary of the Interior under President Grover Cleveland. Dictionary of American Biography

Writer

August Derleth astonished readers with the volume and diversity of his writing. Among his more than 150 books are novels, historical fiction, mysteries, biographies, personal journals, poetry, true crime, science fiction, and children's books. St. James Guide to Crime & Mystery Writers (Reproduced in Biography Resource Center.)

Nancy Dickerson was the first woman to work on-air as a CBS reporter. Newsmakers 1998, Issue 2

Jeane Dixon became famous as an astrologer and psychic. Newsmakers 1997, Issue 4

One of America's favorite novelists and playwrights, Ferber's books include "Show Boat," "Giant," "Cimarron," and "So Big," for which she won the Pulitzer Prize. Contemporary Authors Online

During the 1920s, Zora Gale was recognized as a leader in the American "revolt from the village," a movement fueled by the popularity of her novel "Miss Lulu Bett," which chronicled a woman's escape from small-town drudgery. Gale transformed the novel into a play and won the 1921 Pulitzer Prize in drama. Contemporary Authors Online

A University of Wisconsin-Madison professor, Gard is best known for his work on folklore and drama. His works include "Wisconsin at My Doorstep," a collection of Wisconsin folk tales. Contemporary Authors Online

Hamlin Garland was known for his books about the hardships of rural life. He won the Pulitzer Prize for "A Daughter of the Middle Border" in 1921. Contemporary Authors Online

Aldo Leoplold was a prominent ecologist and environmental philosopher, probably best known for his book, "A Sand County Almanac." Dictionary of American Biography, Supplement 4

A Winnebago Indian, Mountain Wolf Woman gained fame for her vivid autobiography, "Mountain Wolf Woman: Sister of Crashing Thunder." Encyclopedia of World Biography Supplement, Vol. 26

Explorer and naturalist John Muir worked tirelessly to have land set aside for national parks and forest preserves. Dictionary of American Biography Base Set

Walter "Red" Smith is considered one of America's greatest sports writers. Contemporary Authors Online

Laura Ingalls Wilder is author of the "Little House" books, including "Little House on the Prairie," which are known for their accurate and engaging descriptions of frontier life. Dictionary of American Biography, Supplement 6: 1956-1960

A novelist and playwright, Thornton Wilder won the Pulitzer Prize for his novel "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" and the plays "Our Town" and "The Skin Of Our Teeth." Dictionary of American Biography, Supplement 9: 1971-1975