Funky History

Stories of our Ancestors

Throughout history there have been wild and wonderful people. They’re the ones who changed their time and brought about our future. These portraits and bios are a quick take on what they did and who they were.

Kathleen McGuinness is a remarkable and finely skilled artist. Her realistic and fantastic portraits of pets and people decorate the walls of homes around the world. Check out her watercolor portrait portfolio. Or email her about a portrait commission.

  • Richard III
    Richard III (1452-1485) put his dead brother’s son on the throne, schemed to take the crown, and started a war. He imprisoned his two young nephews in the Tower of … Read more
  • Czech wild west fun
    Apache Chief Winnetou, his braves and German crack-shot Old Shatterhand race horseback into an old western town. They are there to do battle against evil-doers making mischief against law biding … Read more
  • Sir Francis Drake
    Sir Francis Drake (1540 – 1596) was an English knight, a navel officer, a pirate, and the favorite sea dog of Queen Elizabeth I. Privateer Queen Elizabeth I issued a … Read more
  • Simón Bolívar
    Simón Bolívar (1783-1830) born Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios was a Venezuelan military genius and political leader. He led a revolution that liberated South American … Read more
  • Jacques Offenbach
    Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880) was a romantic era German, French composer and impresario. A child prodigy, at four he studied violin with his father; at nine he fell in love with … Read more