Abbreviated Bios

Abbreviated Bios are short biographies of Americans and others, who made an impact on this country and who should be better known.

Last refreshed: July 9th, 2025 at 12:36 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

William Wells Brown

William Wells Brown wrote the first novel by an African American in America. It took on the topic of President Jefferson fathering children by one of his slaves.

Feb 15, 2022•6 min•Season 2Ep. 4

John Wesley Powell

John Wesley Powell explored the Colorado River by boat over the dangerous rapids of the Grand Canyon. He is also one of the reasons so many Dams were built in the west to save water.

Feb 01, 2022•7 min•Season 2Ep. 3

Thomas Nelson, Jr.

Thomas Nelson Jr. was a signer of the Declaration of Independence who lost his fortune because of his support of the Patriot cause. Yet he never regretted his actions.

Jan 19, 2022•5 min•Season 2Ep. 2

Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was a Conquistador stranded in North America during the 1530s. He went from Conquistador to slave to healer in his struggle to survive. The previous version of this had another episode attached. How? I don't know.

Jan 12, 2022•8 min•Season 2Ep. 1

Frederick Funston

Frederick Funston, at 5 foot 4 and 115 pounds did not look like a great military officer. He overcame those perceptions to become an American hero of the Philippine insurrection.

Dec 28, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 8

William Seward

William Seward was Abraham Lincoln's Secretary of State and survived an assassination attempt on the same night Lincoln was killed.

Dec 21, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Lew Wallace

Civil War general Lew Wallace wrote the best-selling American novel of the 1800s, Ben Hur.

Aug 17, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Matthew Maury

Matthew Maury developed the scientific specialty of Oceanography and got the idea for it by reading the Bible.

Aug 10, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 5

James A. Garfield

Garfield was a brilliant and kind man who was shot 3 months into his presidency.

Aug 03, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Phyllis Schlafly

Phyllis Schlafly helped shape the modern Republican Party. Learn about her in this episode of Abbreviated Bios.

Jul 27, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Stephen Collins Foster

Stephen Foster was the first great American songwriter who, unfortunately, died in obscurity.

Jul 20, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Richard Mentor Johnson

Richard Mentor Johnson was the 9th Vice-President of the U.S. who had an unusual personal life for that time in U.S. History.

Jul 09, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Introducing Abbreviated Bios Podcast

There will be a new Abbreviated Bio each week. Among the people being profiled in upcoming episodes will be James K. Polk, Richard Johnson, Calvin Coolidge, Benjamin Banneker, Phyllis Schlafly, and Pio Pico.

Jul 06, 2021•1 min

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