The descriptions below are for famous people named in "A Confederacy of DUNCES" by John Kennedy Toole. I had to look most of them up and this is the information I found for each person. If you know who they are than you're more knowledgeable than I.
1.Legendary French lover, scholastic philosopher, theologian and preeminent logician who was castrated by angry parents.
2.American singer, actress and animal welfare advocate. Vivacious blond with a wholesome image--prolific actress of the 1950s and 1960s
3.A major character in "Gangs of New York". Convicted of stealing over 100 million dollars from NYC taxpayers. Escaped from jail but ultimately died in captivity.
4.American financier who became a leading American railroad developer and speculator. Long vilified as a stereotypical "robber baron", he gained control over Erie Canal and caused a financial panic in 1869 when he attempted to corner the gold market.
5.The hypnotist villain in the novel "Trilby" by George du Maurier.
6. A psychosomatic invalid and one of the most respected poets of the Victorian era. The death of her favorite brother by drowning prostrated her for months--later locking herself in her bedroom for 5 years.
7. A saint who was stabbed to death by his students with their styli.
8. Mass evangelist who has preached in person to more ppl around the world than anyone who has ever lived. Spiritual adviser to multiple presidents.
9. A writer of the Beat Generation. After suffering a number of physical set backs including a debilitating heart attack, he took his own life by an overdose of barbiturates. Wrote for the Village Voice.
10. English nurse remembered for her work during the Crimean War.
11. A saint who was a life long house servant and miracle worker. Hated by the other workers. An angle was seen doing her daily baking and cleaning.
12. Actress, singer, and dancer most famous for her on-screen coupling with Dick Powell in a string of successful early musicals at Warner Brothers.
13. "Platinum Blonde" "Blonde Bombshell" American film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s.
14. English essayist, poet, and statesman. His poem on the Battle of Blenheim, The Campaign (1705), brought him to the attention of the Whigs and paved the way to important gov. posts but his extreme shyness made him useless in parliament. One of the most admired masters of English prose; he started periodicals with his friend Richard Steele.
15. An artist known for his paintings depicting the rural American Midwest, particularly American Gothic.
16. American singer, film actress, gay icon, and camp figure. Played Dorthy of "The Wizard of OZ". Died of an "incautious" self-overdose of barbiturates at 47.
17. American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films in the 1930's with Maurice Chevalier and Nelson Eddy. recorded extensively, earning 3 gold records and was influential to sopranos of the 20th century. Introduced grand opera to movie-going audiences and inspired a generation of singers.
1.Legendary French lover, scholastic philosopher, theologian and preeminent logician who was castrated by angry parents.
2.American singer, actress and animal welfare advocate. Vivacious blond with a wholesome image--prolific actress of the 1950s and 1960s
3.A major character in "Gangs of New York". Convicted of stealing over 100 million dollars from NYC taxpayers. Escaped from jail but ultimately died in captivity.
4.American financier who became a leading American railroad developer and speculator. Long vilified as a stereotypical "robber baron", he gained control over Erie Canal and caused a financial panic in 1869 when he attempted to corner the gold market.
5.The hypnotist villain in the novel "Trilby" by George du Maurier.
6. A psychosomatic invalid and one of the most respected poets of the Victorian era. The death of her favorite brother by drowning prostrated her for months--later locking herself in her bedroom for 5 years.
7. A saint who was stabbed to death by his students with their styli.
8. Mass evangelist who has preached in person to more ppl around the world than anyone who has ever lived. Spiritual adviser to multiple presidents.
9. A writer of the Beat Generation. After suffering a number of physical set backs including a debilitating heart attack, he took his own life by an overdose of barbiturates. Wrote for the Village Voice.
10. English nurse remembered for her work during the Crimean War.
11. A saint who was a life long house servant and miracle worker. Hated by the other workers. An angle was seen doing her daily baking and cleaning.
12. Actress, singer, and dancer most famous for her on-screen coupling with Dick Powell in a string of successful early musicals at Warner Brothers.
13. "Platinum Blonde" "Blonde Bombshell" American film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s.
14. English essayist, poet, and statesman. His poem on the Battle of Blenheim, The Campaign (1705), brought him to the attention of the Whigs and paved the way to important gov. posts but his extreme shyness made him useless in parliament. One of the most admired masters of English prose; he started periodicals with his friend Richard Steele.
15. An artist known for his paintings depicting the rural American Midwest, particularly American Gothic.
16. American singer, film actress, gay icon, and camp figure. Played Dorthy of "The Wizard of OZ". Died of an "incautious" self-overdose of barbiturates at 47.
17. American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films in the 1930's with Maurice Chevalier and Nelson Eddy. recorded extensively, earning 3 gold records and was influential to sopranos of the 20th century. Introduced grand opera to movie-going audiences and inspired a generation of singers.
