Ataturk Ataturk, title adopted by Mustafa Kemal (1881-1938). Turkish soldier and statesman, the founder of modern Turkey. As a young army officer he founded a secret society to remedy …
Astor, Nancy Astor, Nancy, Lady (1879-1964), The first female MP to sit in the House of Commons. Born Nancy Witcher Langhorne in the US, she stood for her husband’s …
Astaire, Fred Astaire, Fred, stage name of Frederick Austerlitz (1899-1987). US dancer and film star. In 1911 he formed a partnership with his sister Adele and they were highly …
Ashton, Sir Frederick Ashton, Sir Frederick (1906-88), British choreographer and ballet dancer. He studied under Leonide Massine and Marie Rambert and in 1935 became resident choreographer with the Vic-Wells …
Ashkenazy, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Vladimir (1937), Russian concert pianist. He studied at the Moscow Conservatoire, and gained the second prize in the International Chopin Competition when he was only 17. …
Ashcroft, Dame Peggy Ashcroft, Dame Peggy (1907-91), British actress. Among her many performances, two of the most outstanding have been in Romeo and Juliet (1935) and Hedda Gabler (1954). …
Arthur Arthur (5th-6th century AD), A semi-legendary war leader of the Britons, known as King Arthur. His victories against the invading Saxons temporarily halted their settlement in south-west England. …
Arnold, Matthew Arnold, Matthew (1822-88), British poet and critic, son of the educationalist Dr Thomas Arnold. For most of his life he worked as an inspector of schools while …
