1. Think of a well-known person, living or dead, whom you would like to learn more about. Check with your teacher to be sure your choice is appropriate.
I chose my favorite painter, John William Waterhouse.
2. Type the person's name into your preferred Web browser.
I used Google.
3. Choose two or three Web sites that seem helpful and read through the information you find.
I picked Wikipedia first because it has a lot more organized information than other sites and then referred to a few sites that provided Waterhouse's biography.
4. Print out a picture of the person and find answers to the following questions:
a. When and where was the person born? How would you describe the person's childhood or early life?
John William Waterhouse was born in 1849 in Rome and moved to London in 1854. His parents were painters and he also enrolled in the Royal Academy of Art. Primarily he was to study sculpture but later he moved on to painting.
b. What accomplishment or event caused this person to become famous?
One of his paintings named 'Sleep and his Half-brother Death' was exhibited at the Royal Academy summer exhibition in 1874 and was a big success. Due to the success, he exhibited his works at the annual exhibition for about 40 years.
c. What was one thing you learned about this person that surprised you?
I was surprised he didn't have any children. If he had, they might have become great painters like him… I feel sorry for it.
d. If you were asked to write a brief biography of this person, what three personal characteristics would you emphasize?
He worked in the Pre-Raphaelite style, which was considered as old-fashioned in his time. However, he made up his own unique atmosphere within his paintings, and the style changed little in his whole life. It's very impressive that he firmly chose what he wants and thinks is right, not being tied down by the general trend. Also, he continued to paint until the last moment of his death. In that sense, he might have been very diligent and loved painting. Most of his paintings are pictured with beautiful women. He has his own personal keen sense on feminine mood. I think he had a lot of interest in women and closely observed them. Or the sophisticated paintings could have never been born.
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