Ian Fleming
Ian Fleming is the creator of the fictional superspy James Bond. Bond is a suave, lady-killing British agent who travels the globe, battles super-villains bent on world domination, and famously prefers his vodka martinis "shaken, not stirred." After publishing his first Bond adventure, Casino Royale, in 1953, Fleming wrote one Bond book each year until his death. The stories spawned a highly profitable movie series which continued into the 21st century, with Sean Connery and Roger Moore the most famous actors to play Bond. Fleming also wrote a series of travel books and the popular children's story Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

For a full list of actors who have starred as Fleming's superspy, see our loop titled Played Bond... Another popular Fleming creation was the villainous Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

James K. Polk

A lawyer and former congressman from Tennessee, James Knox Polk became a "dark horse" candidate for the Democratic Party in 1844. He narrowly defeated Whig Henry Clay in the general ... more

George Hearst

Near the end of the 19th century, George Hearst was one of the richest men in the United States, a U.S. Senator from California who had made his fortune in mining. He grew up in Franklin County, ... more

Umberto Eco

Before he was a best-selling novelist, Umberto Eco's reputation rested on his academic writings on language and semiotics (the study of symbols). An Italian critic, philosopher and historian ... more

William McKinley

A Republican congressman from Ohio, William McKinley beat out William Jennings Bryan in 1896 to become the 25th president of the United States. McKinley called for war against Spain in 1898, partly ... more

Dr. Demento

Dr. Demento is the on-air name of Barry Hansen, the host of a syndicated radio show in the U.S. that features novelty and comedy records. Hansen studied music ... more