RETROBITUARIES

She cracked some of the biggest espionage cases of the 20th century, but the press preferred to write about her husband.

He felt the lobotomy was “only a little more dangerous than an operation to remove an infected tooth."

He prepared for his role by visiting the zoo.

This learned, opinionated Renaissance monarch caused a sensation throughout Europe.

Joshua Norton declared himself "Emperor of These United States"—and San Francisco loved him for it.

People didn't think a woman could cross the English Channel both ways—until Florence Chadwick came along.

Changing the shape of the modern woman was just the beginning.

He had at least 17 confirmed disguises, and five fully fleshed-out identities complete with fake identity documents, background stories, and even their own penmanship.

His books were the real-life X-files.

“If you wish to upset the law that all crows are black, it is enough if you prove that one crow is white. My white crow is Mrs. Piper.”

She was one of the last great thinkers of ancient Alexandria—before she was brutally murdered.

The man who gave Looney Tunes their sound was an eccentric electronic music pioneer.