Frederic II (1712-1786) was the king of Prussia during 1740-1786. During his reign, Prussia prospered greatly and doubled in area. His countrymen called him Frederic the Great. He was the son of Frederic William-I and Sophie Dorothia von Hannover. He won many wars against neighbouring countries like Austria, Russia and France. Declaring himself to be the first servant of his …

Adolf Loos was an Austrian architect and theoretician, one of the most important representatives of modern architecture. In his theoretical and practical works, he developed a concept of functionalist architecture, free of decoration, which he regarded as superficial and subjective (in his essay Ornament and Crime). Among Loos’ most significant works were the Steiner House and the Goldman & Salatsch …

Paleolibertarianism is a school of thought within American libertarianism associated with the late economist Murray Rothbard, and the Ludwig von Mises Institute. It is based on a combination of radical libertarianism in politics and cultural conservatism in social thought and opposes a libertarianism which advocates “freedom from bourgeois morality, and social authority.” Austrian economics, anti-federalism, opposition to war, Misesian libertarianism, …

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Perhaps the greatest musical genius who ever lived, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, Jan. 27, 1756, the son of Leopold Mozart, concertmaster at the archiepiscopal court, and his wife, Anna Maria Pertl. Leopold Mozart was a successful composer and violinist, whose famous treatise on violin playing (Versuch einer grundlichen Violinschule) was first printed …

Vikram Seth (born 20 June 1952) is an Indian poet, novelist, travel writer, librettist, children’s writer, biographer and memoirist. Vikram Seth was born in a Punjabi family to Leila and Prem Seth in Calcutta (now Kolkata). His family lived in many cities including the Bata Shoe Company town of Batanagar, Danapur near Patna, and in London. His younger brother, Shantum, …

Vasileios Torosidis — Versatile full-back Vasileios Torosidis had his first professional outing as a 17-year-old with hometown club Skoda. His composed displays over the next four years had Greece’s biggest clubs trailing his signature. In 2007 he made the move to Olympiakos, where he has occupied virtually every position apart from goalkeeper, although he is best known for his qualities …

Joseph Alois Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, was born on 16 April, Holy Saturday, 1927 at Marktl am Inn, Diocese of Passau (Germany)and was baptised on the same day. He was the third and youngest child of Joseph Ratzinger, Sr., a police officer, and Maria Ratzinger. His father, belonged to an old family of farmers from Lower Bavaria of modest economic …

Pepe — For Real Madrid’s centre-half Pepe, the last decade has been one of non-stop success. Like so many Brazilian footballers, the defender crossed the globe in 2000 to seek fame and fortune in European football. He ended up at Madeira club Maritimo where, after a short spell in the reserves, he established himself as a top-class central defender, and …

Ludwig Wittgenstein — Biography Born: 26 April 1889 in Vienna, Austria 1912: Moves to Cambridge to study with Bertrand Russell 1918: Completes the Tractatus during active service in World War I 1920: Works first as a schoolteacher, then as a gardener 1929: Returns to Cambridge as a lecturer and begun work on Philosophical Investigations Died: 29 April 1951 in Cambridge, England If You Would Like To …

K. S. Chithra often credited as Chitra, is a six time National Film Award winning playback singer who has made her mark in the Indian (film) music playback industry. Known as the Nightingale of South India, she has lent her voice to Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Hindi, Assamese and Bengali films. Personal Life Born on July 27, 1963, in Thiruvananthapuram …