The Biographers Series 6: Franz Liszt

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For our sixth series, we're headed into the world of classical music, and witnessing the rise of the world's first rockstar. You might not know his name, but Franz Liszt was far and away the most popular musician of his day, and performed concerts in front of crazed fans all over Europe throughout the mid-1800s. Such was the hysteria surrounding this prodigious piano virtuoso, that during the height of his superstardom, the term "Lisztomania" was coined to describe his incredible popularity. In pretty much every way you can imagine, Franz Liszt lived the life of what we would now stereotypically describe as a "rockstar", including gaudy outfits, extravagant parties, hoards of groupies, and more money than he knew what to do with. Despite all of this, he was also a deeply devout Catholic, and would eventually become an Abbot, reporting directly to the Pope himself. Join us as we explore one of the most fascinating lives we've covered yet!

In our fifth series, we're going back further in history than we ever have before with artist, inventor, musician, and scientist: Leonardo da Vinci. While his name is known throughout the world, the actual story of Leonardo is not well understood, and is even more incredible than you would imagine. From his unceasing interest in the natural world around him, to his fixation with art, Leonardo was an unrelentingly curious mind that refused to follow contention. Despite his taboo-for-the-time sexual orientation, Leonardo would remain true to himself throughout his life regardless of those who aimed to bring him down. Join us as we take you back to Renaissance Italy, and explore the life of one history's most brilliant minds. 

Series Companion Images

In our fourth series, we're headed to the rural Tennessee backcountry to talk about American whiskey maker: Jack Daniel. From the beginning, Jack had a rough go, not aided by poverty or the desolation caused by the America Civil War. Despite every possible obstacle and gut-punch, Jack maintained an affable and charming demeanor that earned him the love and respect of all that knew him. But the thing that truly put him on the map, and made him into the American legend that he is today, was the pure and delicious corn liquor that he purveyed. Join us as we journey through the Appalachian Mountains of the mid-1800s, uncovering the truth of Jack Daniel's origins, and how he became a dominant force in the world of American whiskey. 

In our third series, we dive deep into the revolutionary life of Abigail Adams, the nation's first Second Lady, and Second First lady, and mother to the 6th president of the United States.

Abigail was an avid proponent of women's’ rights, specifically to that of education and property. She regretted her lack of formal education, but made due by learning from her friends and family members, which was the custom of the time. She was self-taught in French. Despite her own opinions of her education, she is considered by historians to be well-educated for her time, and well-regarded all-around. 

In our second series, we're covering novelist Ian Fleming, who is most famously known for his creation of the fictional character James Bond. But did you also know that Ian's father fought in WWI alongside Winston Churchill's brother? Or that Ian was forced to drop out of Military school as a result of some... delicate medical complications? Or that he actually was pretty much an actual spy during the Second World War, and helped plan espionage missions that helped the Allied Forces and defeat the Axis Powers?

Join us for our Ian Fleming series as we uncover the earliest parts of his life,  which ended up serving as the real-life foundation for the ultimate secret agent novel and longest running film franchise in cinematic history.

In our first series, we are covering the life of a lesser-known character in American history: Mabel Dodge Luhan. Some might call her "the Original Influencer", as she seemed to know everyone, and helped shape the world of American art as we know it today. Mabel was a writer, world traveller, advocate for Native American rights, patron of the arts, and spent the latter part of her life in Taos, New Mexico. Once she settled down in Taos,  she established something of an artists community where she invited  artists like Georgia O’Keefe, Ansel Adams, Aldous Huxley, Willa Cather, Mary Austin, Marsden Hatley, Andrew Dasberg, and D.H. Lawrence, to help inspire their various art forms. Though she didn't coin the term, she was the one that popularized the phrase "movers and shakers".  

Join us for this five-part series as we explore the adventurous, passionate, and often times hilarious life of Mabel Dodge Luhan.