Matthew Maury developed the scientific specialty of Oceanography and got the idea for it by reading the Bible.

Garfield was a brilliant and kind man who was shot 3 months into his presidency.

Phyllis Schlafly helped shape the modern Republican Party.  Learn about her in this episode of Abbreviated Bios.

Stephen Foster was the first great American songwriter who, unfortunately, died in obscurity.

Richard Mentor Johnson was the 9th Vice-President of the U.S. who had an unusual personal life for that time in U.S. History.

There will be a new Abbreviated Bio each week.  Among the people being profiled in upcoming episodes will be James K. Polk, Richard Johnson, Calvin Coolidge, Benjamin Banneker, Phyllis Schlafly, and Pio Pico.