5 Minute Biographies
Each week, we aim to bring you interesting information about interesting people in about five minutes in the form of short biographies which can also be read on our website.
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Gus March-Phillipps - S16E01
05/13/2024
Gus March-Phillipps - S16E01
In the first episode of season 16 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we briefly examine the life of the man who challenged British conventional warfare tactics during World War 2 and led the way to the formation of modern special forces such as the SAS when he put together the Small-Scale Raiding Force with the view of causing havoc behind enemy lines. His name was Gus March-Phillipps. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing, or, if you would like to support me more directly by, say, buying me a coffee, please head on over to to see how. Also, why not check out the Gus March-Phillipps article at And don't forget to check out 5 Minute History at
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Cleopatra - S15E10
05/06/2024
Cleopatra - S15E10
In the 10th and final episode of season 15 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we briefly examine the life of the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, whose intelligence, political acumen, and legendary romances have captivated the world for centuries. Discover the story of a queen who navigated the turbulent waters of power, seduction, and diplomacy, leaving behind a legacy that continues to intrigue and inspire - Cleopatra. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing, or if you would like to support me more directly by buying me a coffee, please head over to to see how. Why not also check out the Cleopatra article at And don't forget to check out 5 Minute History at
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Bing Crosby - S15E09
04/29/2024
Bing Crosby - S15E09
In the 9th episode of season 15 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of Bing Crosby. Beyond the crooning and Christmas carols, Bing Crosby was a multimedia titan. We will take a quick dive into the Crosby legacy, exploring his rise to radio stardom, his smooth transition to film (including that Oscar win!), and his influence on the early days of television. We'll uncover the secrets to his enduring popularity and ask if Bing Crosby was the original all-around entertainer. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing. If you would like to support me more directly by buying me a coffee, please head over to to see how. Why not also check out the Bing Crosby article at Also, don't forget to check out 5 Minute History at
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Benjamin Franklin - S15E08
04/22/2024
Benjamin Franklin - S15E08
In the eighth episode of season 15 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of a prolific polymath who excelled as an inventor, scientist, writer, and diplomat. His contributions, ranging from the invention of the lightning rod to his pivotal role in drafting the Declaration of Independence, have left an indelible mark on American history - Benjamin Franklin. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing, or, if you would like to support me in a more direct way, by say, buying me a coffee, please head on over to to see how. Why not also check out the Benjamin Franklin article at And don't forget to check out 5 Minute History at
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/30406098
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James Dean - S15E07
04/15/2024
James Dean - S15E07
In the seventh episode of season 15 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of a movie star whose life was cut tragically short by a car accident after he had a massive impact on Hollywood with the three movies he starred in - James Dean. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing, or, if you would like to support me in a more direct way, by say, buying me a coffee, please head on over to to see how. Why not also check out the Lord Nelson article at or the related video at And don't forget to check out 5 Minute History at
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/30401253
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Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson - S15E06
04/08/2024
Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson - S15E06
In the sixth episode of season 15 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the man who started from humble beginnings to rise through the ranks and take charge of the British Naval Fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar, arguably changing the way war is fought at sea - Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing, or, if you would like to support me in a more direct way, by say, buying me a coffee, please head on over to to see how. Why not also check out the Lord Nelson article at or the related video at And don't forget to check out 5 Minute History at
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/30401183
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Carrie Fisher - S15E05
04/01/2024
Carrie Fisher - S15E05
In the fifth episode of season 15 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the a woman who had massive success through her involvement with the Star Wars franchise as Prince Leia, but also someone who struggled with mental health and addiction - Carrie Fisher. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing, or, if you would like to support me in a more direct way, by say, buying me a coffee, please head on over to to see how. Why not also check out the Carrie Fisher article at or the related video at And don't forget to check out 5 Minute History at
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Emmeline Pankhurst - S15E04
03/25/2024
Emmeline Pankhurst - S15E04
In the fourth episode of season 15 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the woman who was the driving force behind the women's suffrage movement, which ultimately led to women being able to vote - Emmeline Pankhurst. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing, or, if you would like to support me in a more direct way, by say, buying me a coffee, please head on over to 5minutebiographies.com/coffee to see how. Why not also check out the Oliver Cromwell article at 5minutebiographies.com/emmeline-pankhurst/ or the related video at 5minutebiographies.com/youtube/ And don't forget to check out 5 Minute History at http://www.5minutehistory.com
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/30356258
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Oliver Cromwell - S15E03
03/18/2024
Oliver Cromwell - S15E03
In the third episode of season 15 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the man who brought about a unique period in English history when he removed the monarchy, resulting in England becoming, for a brief period, a republic - Oliver Cromwell. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing, or, if you would like to support me in a more direct way, by say, buying me a coffee, please head on over to 5minutebiographies.com/coffee to see how. Why not also check out the Oliver Cromwell article at 5minutebiographies.com/oliver-cromwell/ or the related video at 5minutebiographies.com/youtube/ And don't forget to check out 5 Minute History at http://www.5minutehistory.com
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/30356198
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Michael Jackson - S15E02
03/15/2024
Michael Jackson - S15E02
In the second episode of season 15 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the King of Pop - Michael Jackson. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing, or, if you would like to support me in a more direct way, by say, buying me a coffee, please head on over to to see how. Why not also check out the Michael Jackson article at or the related video at And don't forget to check out 5 Minute History at
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/30354893
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Greta Garbo - S15E01
03/13/2024
Greta Garbo - S15E01
In the first episode of season 15 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a look at the life of a mysterious and talented actress who made a successful move from the silent movies to the talkies and who left an indelible mark on the early movie industry. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing, or, if you would like to support me in a more direct way, by say, buying me a coffee, please head on over to to see how. Why not also check out the Greta Garbo article at or the related video at And don't forget to check out 5 Minute History at
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/30354823
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Nikola Tesla - S14E10
11/28/2021
Nikola Tesla - S14E10
In the tenth and final episode of season 14 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the man who became one of the world's first electrical engineers. He held over 300 patents and invented A/C electrical power - Nikola Tesla. Please consider supporting the show by visiting the YouTube channel at or by perhaps buying me a coffee at - Thanks!
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Winston Churchill - S14E09
11/21/2021
Winston Churchill - S14E09
In the ninth episode of season 14 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the man who rose through the ranks of the British military, only to turn to politics and then become one of Britain's greatest prime ministers - Winston Churchill. Please consider supporting the show by visiting the YouTube channel at or by perhaps buying me a coffee at - Thanks!
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/22406252
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Katharine Hepburn - S14E08
11/14/2021
Katharine Hepburn - S14E08
In the eighth episode of season 14 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the woman who became one of Hollywood's most critically acclaimed actresses and who won 4 Academy Awards during her 60-year career - Katharine Hepburn. Please consider supporting the show by visiting the YouTube channel at or by perhaps buying me a coffee at - Thanks!
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/22406162
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Jacques Cousteau - S14E07
11/07/2021
Jacques Cousteau - S14E07
In the seventh episode of season 14 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of a French navy officer who became a pioneering underwater explorer and documentary film-maker - Jacques Cousteau.
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Spencer Tracy - S14E06
10/17/2021
Spencer Tracy - S14E06
In the sixth episode of season 14 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of one of Hollywood's leading men - Spencer Tracy.
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Niki Lauda - S14E05
10/10/2021
Niki Lauda - S14E05
Niki Lauda - S14E05
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Lyndon B Johnson - S14E04
10/03/2021
Lyndon B Johnson - S14E04
In the fourth episode of season 14 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the man who became President of the United States after the assassination of John F. Kennedy - Lyndon B. Johnson.
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/20686697
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Jimmy Stewart - S14E03
09/26/2021
Jimmy Stewart - S14E03
In the third episode of season 14 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of one of Hollywood's leading men who also flew bombers during the Second World War - Jimmy Stewart.
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Kurt Cobain - S14E02
09/19/2021
Kurt Cobain - S14E02
In the second episode of season 14 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the man who was the frontman for influential rock group Nirvana - Kurt Cobain
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George Orwell - S14E01
09/12/2021
George Orwell - S14E01
In the first episode of season 14 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the man who was a policeman in the Indian Police Service, a soldier in the Spanish Civil War and the author of classic novels such as Animal Farm and 1984 - he was George Orwell.
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/20422487
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Napoleon Bonaparte - S13E10
04/11/2021
Napoleon Bonaparte - S13E10
In the tenth and final episode of season 13 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of a man who rose through military ranks and ultimately became the self-declared emperor of France before being forced into exile after the Battle of Waterloo - Napoleon Bonaparte.
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Muhammad Ali - S13E09
04/04/2021
Muhammad Ali - S13E09
In the ninth episode of season 13 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of a man who started with nothing went on to become heavyweight boxing champion of the world, no less than three times - Muhammad Ali.
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/20018855
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Elizabeth Taylor - S13E08
03/29/2021
Elizabeth Taylor - S13E08
In the eighth episode of season 13 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of a child actress who went on to become a Hollywood icon and was almost as famous for her private life as she was for her on-screen persona. Elizabeth Taylor.
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/18507269
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Freddie Mercury - S13E07
03/21/2021
Freddie Mercury - S13E07
In the seventh episode of season 13 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the man who was a songwriting genius with a hugely flamboyant on-stage personality as the lead singer of one of the greatest rock bands of all time - Queen. He was Freddie Mercury.
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/18402278
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Thomas Edison - S13E06
03/14/2021
Thomas Edison - S13E06
In the sixth episode of season 13 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of the man who has been described as America's and possibly even the world's greatest inventor - he was Thomas Edison.
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/18104162
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Ayrton Senna - S13E05
03/07/2021
Ayrton Senna - S13E05
In the fifth episode of season 13 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of a motor racing legend who was arguable one of the best ever Formula One drivers but who would also not live long enough to prove it - Ayrton Senna.
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/18104087
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King Henry VII - S13E04
02/28/2021
King Henry VII - S13E04
In the fourth episode of season 13 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of an English King who won the Wars of the Roses and founded the Tudor dynasty - King Henry VII.
/episode/index/show/5minute/id/18104048
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Sam Cooke - S13E03
02/21/2021
Sam Cooke - S13E03
In the third episode of season 13 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of a man who became known as the King of Soul and produced such timeless classics as Chain Gang and Twistin' the Night Away. His life was cut short at the age of only 33. He was Sam Cooke.
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Oscar Wilde - S13E02
02/14/2021
Oscar Wilde - S13E02
In the second episode of season 13 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we take a brief look at the life of a man who became one of London's most popular playwrights but was also persecuted for his sexuality. After a promising start to his writing career he spent time in prison and ended up with nothing - Oscar Wilde.
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