Henry Ford was an American success story. Through his dogged persistence, engineering brilliance and innovative production techniques he brought an affordable motor vehicle to the masses, creating an empire in the process. Yet there were other aspects of the man that didn’t fit comfortably into the American icon image. From his anti-Semitism to his vehement opposition to unions, Henry Ford was a man who defied description. In this today’s Biographic we get up close and personal with Henry Ford.

Galileo Galilei was a truth seeker. His quest for truth, though, was to bring him into conflict with the most powerful institution of his day – the Roman Catholic Church. Through such inventions as the telescope, he revealed truths that landed him in front of the Holy Roman inquisition, fighting for his very survival. Condemned during his life, he is now revered as a true genius. In this today’s Biographics, we get the full story on Galileo Galilei.

He was the most hated among Hitler’s inner circle – a thuggish bully whose uncouth ways and scheming self interest allowed him to manipulate his way to a position of power within the Nazi hierarchy. As Hitler’s personal secretary he became the Fuhrer’s gatekeeper, and his most trusted confidante. In today’s Biographics, we examine the life and death of Martin Bormann.

Ferdinand Magellan was one of the leading explorers of the Age of Discovery. Often cited as the first man to circumnavigate the globe, he fell just short of that milestone, being hacked to death by natives on the Marianas Islands. Yet, his vision and his tenacity, despite tremendous odds, opened up the westward route to Asia and established his legacy as one of history’s great adventurers. In today’s Biographics, we uncover the life and tragic death of Ferdinand Magellan.

Alexander III of Macedon, commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon and a member of the Argead dynasty. He was born in Pella in 356 BC and succeeded his father Philip II to the throne at the age of 20.

Of the early philosophers who followed in the footsteps of Socrates, no-one was as striking, or as eccentric, as Diogenes. He was the original stoic, a man who rid himself of the trappings of society, living in an oversized wine casket and championing the lifestyle of dogs over humans. He also challenged all of the norms of society, shocking people with his outrageous actions and cutting wit. In today’s Biographics, we take a close look at the bizarre life of Diogenes the Cynic.

Alexander the Great stood at the head of the world’s most feared army, using it to carve for himself a vast empire. He crushed the Persian Empire and then thrust his way into Egypt and India to become the acknowledged king of kings. Then at the height of his power he was cut down, leaving behind a legacy of heroism, divinity and tyranny. In today’s Biographics, we examine the incredible life of Alexander.

Victoria was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. She adopted the additional title of Empress of India on 1 May 1876. Known as the Victorian era, her reign of 63 years and seven months was longer than that of any of her predecessors.

Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel was a French fashion designer and businesswoman. The founder and namesake of the Chanel brand, she was credited in the post-World War I era with liberating women from the constraints of the "corseted silhouette" and popularizing a sporty, casual chic as the feminine standard of style.

Leon Trotsky was a man of thought and action. His dream of a utopian society built on Marxism crumbled around him yet he never gave up on his ideals. When he was sidelined by the power hungry Josef Stalin he wielded his pen to expose the despot to the world, knowing full well that in doing so he was signing his death warrant. In today’s Biographics, we discover the man who was Leon Trotsky.