Historical Figures - Spotify Studios

Latest Episodes:

Marie Curie Nov 29, 2017

Show notes

Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize--and she didn’t only win one, she won two. Carter and Vanessa discuss Marie’s inspirations in naming the elements she discovered: polonium and radium, and how she fought sexism throughout her life, paving the way for women in science today.

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John Adams Nov 22, 2017

Show notes

The first Vice-President of the United States and second President, John Adams struggled to measure up to the mythic George Washington. Not that he wasn’t qualified- as a successful lawyer who helped pen the Declaration of Independence and served as an early ambassador for the fledgling nation, John Adams was instrumental to the birth of America. Carter and Vanessa explore Adams’ presidency, love affair with his wife Abigail, and his “frenemy” relationship with fellow founding father and presidential successor, Thomas Jefferson.

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Nikola Tesla Nov 15, 2017

Show notes

Nikola Tesla was a power-player in the current war, where General Electric and Westinghouse fought over how America would get electricity. Tesla contributed to the development of the alternating-current electrical system that’s widely used today and discovered the rotating magnetic field. Carter and Vanessa talk about Tesla’s mysterious visions of inventions, the strange illness he suffered, and how the kind soul gave up millions of dollars and died penniless.

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Queen Victoria Nov 08, 2017

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She was crowned at only eighteen years old, but Queen Victoria made a name for herself as one of Great Britain’s most remembered monarchs, redefining the British crown for modern times. She reigned over her global empire for over 60 years. Carter and Vanessa explore Victoria’s isolated childhood, her great love affair, and the personality of the woman who defined an era.

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Charlemagne Nov 01, 2017

Show notes

The “Father of Europe”, Charlemagne’s rule as King of the Franks changed the face of Europe, unifying regions that had been at war and spreading Christianity across the continent. As Holy Roman Emperor, crowned by the Pope himself, he founded the Carolingian dynasty. His reign sparked an intellectual and cultural revival, the effects of which are still evident across Europe today.

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Karl Marx Oct 25, 2017

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A radical writer and philosopher, Karl Marx found himself exiled from multiple countries thanks to his communist writings in the 1800s. However, in the following century, this same writing stirred revolution across the world, as communist governments rose to power. What influenced the famous father of communism, and why did he believe it was the best system? Carter and Vanessa explore the life of the author of The Communist Manifesto and Das Capital, and how his revolutionary ideas resonated worldwide.

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Leonardo Da Vinci Oct 18, 2017

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“The Mona Lisa”. “The Last Supper”. “The Vitruvian Man”. Leonardo Da Vinci’s work still inspires over five hundred years later. But what about the man behind the paintings? He was an illegitimate child, a graverobber, and briefly lived at the Vatican. Carter and Vanessa explore the complex life of the true renaissance man.

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Marco Polo Oct 11, 2017

Show notes

Much more than just a pool game, this Venetian merchant traveler adventured through China and the Mongolian Empire. Though his memoirs may have been heavily embellished, the book gave those who came after Marco Polo a broad picture of 13th century culture, led to advances in cartography and inspired explorers throughout history.

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Meriwether Lewis & William Clark Oct 07, 2017

Show notes

Lewis and Clark--two names that are always heard in tandem. But who were these two young men before they became an inseparable duo? Lewis and Clark’s unique talents and interests made for a perfect partnership, and together they overcame myriad challenges, including hostile tribes, charging bears, poisonous snakes, and endless hoards of mosquitos until they achieved their hard-won goal of reaching the Pacific Ocean.

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Albert Einstein Oct 06, 2017

Show notes

It wasn’t always obvious that Albert Einstein was destined for greatness. Long before he won the Nobel Prize, he was a rebellious, lovesick young man and a music lover who infuriated his professors and struggled to find a job. It would take years of struggle, but eventually Einstein’s writings would revolutionize theoretical physics and usher in the atomic age.

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