Countess of Longford, Elizabeth Pakenham, was born in London England in 1906. She attended Lady Margaret Hall and Oxford University where she studied classical history and philosophy. She later married Oxford professor and politician, the seventh Earl of Longford in 1931, with whom she had eight children. She worked as a tutor from 1930-36 in the Worker's Educational Association, and was a member of the Paddington and St. Pomcras Rent Tribunal from 1946-51. She was also a Labour party candidate for Cheltenham, and later for the City of Oxford. After both campaigns proved unsuccessful, Longford began her career as a writer in 1954, where she concentrated on the topic of parenting. She later turned her focus to British history, and became recognized for her talent as a biographer. She was awarded the James Tait Memorial Prize for best biography in 1964 for Victoria R.I.Longford claimed the Yorkshire Post Book of the Year Award twice with Wellington,1969, and The Royal House of Windsor, Winston Churchill in 1974. It is with this same thoroughness and true human interest that she captures the life of England's reigning monarch in The Queen; The Life of Elizabeth II.

The Colt six shooter will always be a legend to many fighting men. Whether you know it as an accurate, cowboy, Texas Ranger, gun-slinging, out West, corral gun, or as a little protection, the Peacemaker by Samuel Colt and Samuel Colt will never be forgotten.

George Lucas is one of the most influential film makers in Hollywood history. He is also the guiding force behind Star Wars and its sequels. The Star Wars movies tell the story of the rebels Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo as they battle the evil imperial forces of Darth Vader. These films became some the most popular motion pictures in history.

Duke Ellington is considered to be one of the greatest figures in the history of American music. Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was born in Washington D.C. on April 29, 1899. His parents were James Edward and Daisy Kennedy Ellington. They raised Duke as an only child, until his sister, Ruth, was born when Duke was sixteen years old. Duke, even as a teenager, had a great talent for music. In the beginning of his musical life, Duke began to take a promising interest in a new type of music that would later be called jazz. Choosing to base his career on a new idea may not have been smart, but Duke did take this chance and in turn became one of the most famous musicians in America.

The book I chose to read is called The Touch of Magic written by Lorena A. Hickok. The story was about Anne Sullivan Macy, Helen Keller's wonderful teacher. I had never heard of Anne before I read this book, but while looking in the library my mom explained to me who she was and she seemed like she would be an interesting person to do it on. I was right.

Henry Ford was an American industrialist, best known for his pioneering achievements in the automobile industry. From humble beginnings he was able to create a company that would rank as one of the giants of American and World industry long after his death. There is no doubt that Henry Ford was a successful business man. The Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford's legacy, has left its mark on every continent in the world. However, Ford didn't gain his success solely on his innovation in the automobile industry. He was a friend to the middle class public as well as the workers in his factories.

Thomas Fitzsimons, or Fitzsimmons as his last name was sometimes spelled, was born during 1741 and died on August 26, 1811. Originally from Ireland, as young man he immigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to start a career as a merchant. On November 23, 1761, he married Catharine Meade. A few months later, with his brother-in- law, he formed an extensive mercantile and commercial business which traded chiefly with the West India Islands. In 1782 Fitzsimons was elected to the congress created by the Articles of Confederation.