The eldest son of the 16th U.S. President, Robert Todd Lincoln was an American statesman, diplomat, businessman, lawyer, and briefly a union captain during the Civil War. Lincoln was in his early 20s when his father was assassinated, and he vowed to carry on the family legacy. In his later years, Lincoln served as the Secretary of War in the administration of President James A. Garfield—and remained at that cabinet post under Chester A. Arthur until 1885…
One of the most influential figures in sports, Phil Knight is the co-founder of global juggernaut Nike. After selling sneakers from the back of his car, Knight launched Nike (originally named Blue Ribbon Sports) with his college track coach in 1964. Nearly sixty years later, Knight is one of the richest men in the world and Nike is one of the most iconic brands on the globe…
Mark Milley is a U.S. Army general who serves as the 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s highest-ranking military officer, and the principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council. The general earned his “tabs” as an Army Ranger and a Green Beret, and he has extensive combat experience, taking part in operations in Panama, the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan…
In 1969, Dr. Denton Cooley performed the world’s first successful artificial heart transplant on a human being. Widely considered to be one of the greatest heart surgeons of the 20th century, Cooley’s career spanned the history of modern cardiovascular surgery…
A colorful figure whose appearance and demeanor gave the impression that he could helm a Civil War fleet, Dr. C. Everett Koop was the most recognized surgeon general of the 20th century. In 1982, Koop was appointed by President Reagan to serve as the Surgeon General of the U.S. During his term, which lasted until 1989…
It’s essentially impossible to talk about classic horror movies without mentioning the actor Vincent Price. With his silken voice, laugh, and presence, his villains were always debonair, yet menacing—making him a staple in early Hollywood horror…
By now America’s wealthiest Black billionaire, Robert F. Smith, is accustomed to being recognized for his business acumen and leadership skills. The investor made his fortune through Vista Equity Partners, a private equity and venture capital firm that specializes in backing software and tech-related startups…
Lincoln Chafee launched his political career nearly 40 years ago and would come to serve as a mayor, senator, and governor for Rhode Island. Following a long family line of Ocean State politicians that dates back to the 19th century, he was appointed to fill the U.S. Senate seat of his father John Chafee, who died in 1999…
In 1942, following a series of Japanese victories, including at Pearl Harbor, U.S. pilot James “Jimmy” Doolittle led a daring bombing raid over Tokyo. It was the first American attack on the Japanese mainland. After Doolittle’s 16 planes (of volunteer crews) dropped their bombs, they were forced to crash-land in other countries because they lacked fuel to return to their carrier…
A former government official and lawyer, David Rubenstein co-founded The Carlyle Group in 1987. Since then, Carlyle has grown into one of the world’s largest and most successful private investment firms today, managing more than $260 billion from 40 offices around the world…
