The Biographers

It's time for a new series, and this time we're tackling one of the most influential figures in American history: Andy Warhol. Though he was born into poverty from an immigrant family, Andy was introduced to art at a young age. Throughout his life, Andy would continue to push the boundaries of art, and was one of the first key figures in the Pop Art movement. As his fame grew, Andy would facilitate pop culture as it evolved around him, and would facilitate massive parties for the most elite celebrities at his New York studio called The Factory. But...

It's that time again to sit back, relax, and enjoy a laid-back episode of Office Hours. In this episode, we bid a final (and incredibly fond) farewell to our long time friend and co-host, Akiva Meola, as he moves into his now full time job as a bladesmithing instructor (check out www.HardyAndFuller.com to take a class with him!). We love you, and you will be missed. Join us as we chat about emo kids, Big Dog clothing, and vinegar sticks, while Charlotte leads the charge on all of our fact-checking and unanswered questions from the previous series. <...

In our final installment of Marcus Aurelius, we discuss the twilight years of the “last good emperor”. Alone, battle-hardened, and bent with age, Marcus is still facing two of the biggest scourges of his life: disease and war. Tribes from the north continue to nip at the heels of Rome, while the Antonine plague takes more lives than ever. Worst of all, Marcus would be faced with a betrayal that threatens to tear the empire apart from within. At the final hours of his life, Marcus must apply all of the teachings of stoicism to maintain balance in the empi...

In part three of our series on Marcus Aurelius, we cover the battlefronts that the twin emperors were tasked to manage. In Syria, Marcus tasks his brother and co-emperor, Lucius Verus (great bad guy name), with confronting the armies of king Vologases, but his time as commander in chief was not exactly what Marcus had hoped for. Speaking of tactics, we go over Rome's astonishing ability to adapt when fighting the Parthian cataphracts, along with the top generals who brought glory to Rome. After the war, a “pestilential vapor” would allegedly escape from a golden coffin, wreaking havoc on the...

In part two of our series on Marcus Aurelius, we see Marcus’ get adopted by Antoninus Pius after the grisly death of Hadrian. After moving into the royal palace, Antoninus Pius would become a role model to Marcus , and he'd become close with his new step brother, Lucius Verus, despite being polar opposites. Marcus would become increasingly fearful of ruling as his 20’s were spent gaining more and more responsibility over the empire. Outside of the senate, Marcus took tutoring from two clashing minds: Cornelius Fronto and Junius Rusticus, who battled to turn Marcus into a better speaker or phil...

In part one of our series on famed Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius, we explore the early life of the last of the so-called “5 good emperors”. Born the son of a wealthy mother and a politician father who would die early on, Marcus would be raised in the lap of Hadrian, the famed “builder emperor of Rome". As Hadrian left to begin his tour of the far reaches of the empire, Marcus learned his first lessons from the painters, servants and tutors provided by his mother, giving him a taste of his future passion: philosophy. By his teens, the yo...

It's time for another episode of Office Hours, and this time we have some show-altering news! Our very own Akiva Meola, who has been co-host of The Biographers for two years, is leaving the show. We talk about what led him to this decision, while also introducing the person who will be taking his place. Don't worry, everyone! Change can be scary, but we know you're going to love our new co-host -- the one and only Charlotte Stanley.

In the conclusion to our series on the infamous Wu Zhao, we discover why the only female emperor in Chinese history, relinquished the throne. Her reign as emperor would only last 15 years, and though she would have several opportunities to extend her dynasty past a single member, her stubborn nature would get the better of her. Zhao's new pair of lovers, the Chang brothers, would seemingly cast a spell upon her that clouded her judgment, which in turn affected her ability to rule fairly. The political court around her would eventually become so desperate for change that they would...

In part four of our series on Wu Zhao, we watch the continued rise to power of the only female emperor in the history of China. With Emperor Gaozong's health declining to the point of his ultimate demise, Zhao finds various means to push her sons away from the throne and establish herself as the de facto leader of China. It would take social, political, and religious reform, along with some not-so-savory actions, before the time would finally be right. Finally, at the age of 65, Zhao would ascend the throne and take the name of Emperor Wu Zetian. Tune...

In part three of our series on the infamous Wu Zhao, we finally get to see her long-planned rise to Empress, and what sequence of events led her there! Due to some health complications, the Emperor would soon rely on Zhao to run the day to day governmental operations of China, and despite the medieval Chinese belief that women were unfit (and unable) to lead, Zhao would prove to be an astute political leader, which resulted in the royal couple earning the nickname of "The Two Sages". Tune in to part three of Wu Zhao to learn more! (Ep. 079)<...

In part two of our series on Wu Zhao, we take a look at the earliest days of her arrival into the royal harem of the Emperor, and what curriculum needed to be studied as a concubine. Zhao's time in the harem would first last ten years, but after the Emperor she served passed away, she would be shuttled off to live the life of a solitary monk in a monastery. Thanks to some careful planning (as well as a bit of luck), Zhao would find herself back in the royal palace, and mother to three children. But her...

It's time for a brand new series, and this time we're headed further back in time than we ever have before: the 7th century! For series 14 of The Biographers, we're covering Wu Zhao -- the only woman to ever reign as the Emperor of China. At just 13 years old, Wu Zhao was recruited into the Emperor's harem of concubines, and despite being born in a time and place where women were viewed as disposable, she would seize every opportunity put before her in a relentless quest to have her name carved into the history books. Buckle up, kids...

Coming in hot with another laid-back episode of Office Hours, but this time we have video! We are indeed humans! In this episode, we go over all the corrections and questions from our Frida Kahlo series in addition to chatting about our upcoming series on Wu Zhao.

In our final episode on Frida Kahlo, we discuss her last decade of life. Coming on the heels of Trotsky's death, Frida and Diego decide to remarry after realizing what they meant to one another, if only for a time. Frida's painting skills peaked in the 1940s, reaching a new level of detail evident in “Rosita Morillo” and “Moses”, which led to national recognition as one of Mexico's finest painters. Her newfound esteem even landed her a teaching position at La Esmeralda, where Frida and the “Fridos” explored the world with an artist's eye. Her time as a teacher was cut shor...

In part 5 of our series covering the dramatic and tragic life of Frida Kahlo, we go over the most formative years for her career as a painter. Following Diego's brutal betrayal of trust, Frida would make more paintings in two years than in the entirety of her marriage to him, creating masterpieces like The Two Fridas, and What the Water Gave Me. After an art show in Manhattan that had Frida spreading her wings outside of her husband's shadow, surrealist icons like Andre Breton would invite her to Paris for an exhibition, which turned out to be more than...

In part four of our series on Frida Kahlo, the seminal artist's grand tour of the United States comes to an end. Devastation would follow devastation in Frida’s mid-twenties: a miscarriage in Detroit, followed by the death of her mother in Coyoacán. Diego, on the other hand, was at the height of his fame, and was receiving commissions from some of America's most elite clientele. Unfortunately for Diego, his work would be a little too "Red" for the taste's of client's, and his work would be destroyed before it was finished. After moving back to...

In part three of our series on Frida Kahlo, we explore Frida’s early years of marriage to the world-famous painter Diego Rivera, along with her time spent touring the United States. In Cuernavaca, Diego finds himself painting the Mexican Revolution for American oil investors, while Frida begins to paint from within. As fascism spreads across Mexico like a disease, the two depart for America — or, as Frida called it, “Gringolandia.” There, Diego relishes his newfound fame, while Frida is less than pleased. In New York, Frida confides in her new American friends, feeling disillusioned as she watches Diego's wealthy...

In part two of our series on Frida Kahlo, we discuss the aftermath of one of Frida's greatest tragedies that would ultimately leave Frida in pieces. With dozens of shattered bones and an iron bar piercing her abdomen, Frida would spend the next two years evading death. As she recovered, her novio, Alejandro, slowly disappeared from her life, and Frida would find new meaning through painting. During this time, she created some of her first portrait works while mummified in a plaster corset to realign her spine. When she “recovered,” Frida reunited with the Cachuchas to support La Raza Cósm...

We are thrilled to be speaking with incomparable Max Miller of the sensational YouTube channel: Tasting History. Max kindly agreed to work with us on a recent collaboration video about the eating habits of Nikola Tesla, whose culinary preferences are as specific as they are riddled with historical inaccuracies. We got the chance to sit down with Max to discuss our respective research processes, and how "facts" about history are not always what they seem.

We're officially starting series 13, and this time we're focusing on one of the most influential artists of all time: Frida Kahlo! In part one, we discuss Frida's family origins, the political turmoil in Mexico at the time, her early struggles with illness, and her wild years studying at the esteemed National Preparatory School in Mexico City. At school, she rubbed elbows with some of the greatest young minds in Mexico while also causing trouble with her rebellious gang, the Cachuchas. Frida would also experience all the ups and downs of being an angsty teenager, like falling in love, causing...

Time to sit back and relax for another casual episode of Office Hours. We go through questions and corrections from our series on Mark Twain, and share an amazing story from one of our listeners who has some personal connections to Pancho Villa. We'll be back for our regularly scheduled programming in two weeks, starting into our next biography subject: Frida Kahlo!

This week, we are thrilled to be joined for an interview with one of the world's leading Mark Twain scholars who currently teaches at Stanford University: Professor Shelley Fisher Fishkin (https://shelleyfisherfishkin.com/bio) . Most recently, Professor Fishkin has published a book called "Jim: The Life and Afterlives of Huckleberry Finn's Comrade", which aims to debunk the notion that Mark Twain's character, Jim, in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a racist portrayal. Join us as we explore this complex subject with one of the world's leading authorities on all things Mark Twain.

Buy the book here: https...

It’s finally time to close the book on the life of the incomparable Mark Twain. His final ten years would not be easy, riddled with heartache and devastation, but the world at large would finally awaken to the utter genius in its midst, and his works would take their place among the great masterpieces of literature. Join us as we say goodbye to our pal, Mark Twain. (Ep. 070)

Tough times lay ahead for Mark Twain in part nine of our series on the legendary humorist. Somewhere along the way, Sam Clemens got it into his head that he was a businessman, but nothing could be further from the truth, and none of his business deals would yield any profits. He would tell the press that he was taking his family to Europe for his wife's health, but the truth was that the US dollar could go further abroad. For nine years, the Clemens family would live in exile, before Sam would finally decide to pay off his...

In part eight of our series on the godfather of American comedy, Mark Twain, we finally get into the development and publishing of his most famous novel: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The book was considered controversial upon release (and continues to be), so we take plenty of time to examine its impact. Though he still possesses a knack for writing, times are getting tough for Sam Clemens as his continued failures in the world of business lead further down the path of financial ruin. Tune in the part eight of Mark Twain to learn more! (Ep. 068)

In part seven of our series on the incomparable Mark Twain, the godfather of American comedy finally publishes one of his most seminal works: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Though the book is largely praised by critics, its initial sales are disappointing. Seeking new inspiration, Twain soon decides to take his family on an extended trip through Europe. The journey lasts seventeen months and provides enough material for him to publish another travel book, A Tramp Abroad. Once back in the United States, Twain eventually sets out on another trip, this time alone, traveling up and down the Mississippi...

As we press on with the life of Mark Twain, trouble starts to brew in the early years of the 1870s. Some personal tragedy will strike the Clemens family, and Sam will experience some of his first true professional failures. Regardless, Sam and his true-love, Livy, remain hopelessly in love, and their family will continue to grow. Through the tragedies, however, Sam's ever-increasingly nostalgic brain will receive the first sparks of creativity that will ultimately lead to the creation of both The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and Adventures of HuckleberryFinn. Tune in for part six of Mark Twain to...

In part five of our series on Mark Twain, the author is officially back stateside after a trip through Europe and the “Holy Land.” From these experiences, he would write his first novel, The Innocents Abroad; or, The New Pilgrim’s Progress — a smash hit that fundamentally changed the fabric of American literature. He would also launch a new lecture series called American Vandal that would receive widespread critical acclaim and send shockwaves of controversy throughout America. It would also be around this time that Mark Twain would meet the true love of his life, a beautiful and brilliant woman nam...

As we continue our series, we witness the steady rise of legendary author and orator, Mark Twain, following the publication of his famous short story The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. After a trip to the Sandwich Islands (later known as Hawaii), Twain takes to the stage before making his way from San Francisco to New York. It’s in New York that he meets the massively influential preacher and theologian, Henry Ward Beecher, who is planning the world’s first pleasure cruise. Quick to buy a ticket, Twain later uses the story of his excursion as the basis...

The American Civil War has officially begun! In part three of our series on Mark Twain, we see the not-yet-writer briefly join the Missouri State Guard before fleeing west with his brother. After a few failed business attempts and an accidental case of arson, Sam Clemens lands a job as a journalist, and officially takes up the pen-name of Mark Twain. His popularity as a journalist increased over time, eventually leading him to San Francisco and the high-life that the city offered. Eventually, however, Sam's pocketbook would run dry, and to avoid a debt collector, he would lay low...

In part two of our series on Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain), we follow young Sam as he enters the working world, becoming a typesetter’s apprentice in his hometown of Hannibal. His small town couldn’t hold him for long, however, and he soon hit the road, traveling around the East Coast of the United States. Eventually, Sam began to pursue a career as a steamboat pilot, spending countless hours navigating up and down the mighty Mississippi River. It was around this time that he started keeping a regular journal, noting the sights and sounds along the...

In series 12 of The Biographers, we're talking about one of the truest titans of American literature to ever put pen to paper: Mark Twain. Given the name Samuel Langhorne Clemens at birth in the pre-Civil War era of America, our next subject would grow up in a time of slavery, witness its abolition, and grow to become an outspoken opponent of racism. His childhood was often times idyllic, but was not without its moments of extreme trauma and tragedy. Thankfully, literacy was on the rise, and through the magic of books, young Sammy Clemens was able to find an...

It's time for another laid-back episode of Office Hours! A bit of nonsense as usual, chatting about mini vans, how they are superior to SUVs, and how trucks are worst, but we also talk a lot about corrections and answers to questions from the past series on Alexandre Dumas. We're relaxing this week, but will be back in two weeks as we start up a monster series on the legendary Mark Twain!

In the final episode of our series, we cover the last years of General Alexandre Dumas. With the smoldering wreck of The Orient sinking in Aboukir Bay, Dumas and his men abandoned their military charge and were reduced to a single objective: survive. With the help of Napoleon's band of academic geniuses, the French armies were stabilized, and the world's first institute of Egyptology was established. After putting down a revolt in Cairo, Dumas set sail for home, only to discover that the ship he had boarded was falling apart at sea. When he and his men were forced...

In part four of Alexandre Dumas, we cover General Dumas's time under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte. Dumas would be sent to engage the "unwindable" parts of France, laying siege to the city of Mantua, and recovering a secret letter just in time to save his troops, but would have his named wiped from the newspapers by a jealous Napoleon. Demoted for “insubordination,” Alexandre went on to lead a subdivision in pursuit of the Austrians through the northern mountains of Italy. Personal tragedy fueled his rage, and Austrian soldiers gave him the bitter moniker “The Black Devil.” After an unbeliev...

In part three of our series on Alexandre Dumas, we see the French Revolution enter phase two with the arrival of the Reign of Terror, led by the infamous Maximilien Robespierre. During this turbulent period, Alexandre earned a reputation as a commander with a remarkable ability to transform undisciplined troops into effective fighting forces — a skill that eventually elevated him to the rank of General. However, his rise was not without hardship. The French armies suffered heavy casualties under the rule of a government that had recently adopted the guillotine to dole out punishment. Through it all, Alexandre remained pr...

In part two of our series on the legendary French soldier Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, we witness the rise of a humble soldier as he climbs the ranks of the newly established national military during the early days of the French Revolution. After famine ravaged the population, France was in turmoil and hungry for change, leading the people to overthrow their king and establish the first democratic nation in modern Europe. Soon, Austria threatened to crush the French uprising, and Alexandre's battalion was stationed in a small town in the French countryside. It was there that he would fall in love—an...

We're back, and it's officially time to start up Series 11! For this series, we're getting back to our roots by discussing a person most people have never heard of. While many do know the name "Alexandre Dumas" — author of classic stories like The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers — most probably don't know that his father was actually the real-life inspiration for those classic adventure stories. That's right: we're not talking about Alexandre Dumas (Jr.), but rather his father. Born into slavery in Haiti, Alexandre Dumas (Sr.) would be no stranger to hardship throughout his early life, witn...

It's time for another episode of Office Hours, but this one will be slightly different, in that Akiva is out of town! Don't worry -- he'll be back next time, but this means today's episode of Office Hours will be short and sweet.

In the conclusion episode of our series on the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa, we take a look at the darker days of his life and the deeds that earned him the oft-overlooked reputation of a villain. Despite many of the initial goals of the Mexican Revolution being achieved, Pancho continued to fight, even as most of his army dwindled away. In the final years of his life, he committed some of his most heinous acts, making vengeful enemies who would ultimately become his assassins. Tune in for part five of Pancho Villa to decide for yourself whether this legendary...