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His definitive account of Britain’s Industrial Revolution became the essential reference for generations of economists
His work transformed a chronically hungry nation into one of the world’s largest food producers
A trailblazing Californian politician who drew criticism from her own party towards the end of a 45-year career
The luxury-loving, womanising fugitive shifted the Cosa Nostra’s focus from violence to wealth
The first former communist to serve as head of state, he played an indispensable role in overcoming the 2011 eurozone crisis
Her colourful books and intrepid reporting sidestepped stereotypes of India in favour of a more nuanced portrait
Her boundary-pushing work on how animals communicate was just one part of her considerable legacy
The voice of García Márquez and Vargas Llosa, she drew the world’s attention to the value of her craft
The Egyptian cut a swath through British society whose recognition he craved
A sympathetic westerner who became a participant-observer as the country transformed
The shadowy head of the Russian mercenary group belonged to a new breed of criminal entrepreneur
Known as the ‘Black Godfather’, his behind-the-scenes talent for making connections transformed many careers
Making his name with ‘The French Connection’ and ‘The Exorcist’ set a near-impossible standard for his later films
A sage adviser to spies and Colombian presidents, he was the acme of an Oxford don
As a foreign correspondent, his empathy shone through his reporting
The mesmerising artist used her platform to shine a light on the issues she cared about
The authority on free will scored a surprise bestseller with ‘On Bullshit’
Czech-born novelist and essayist who diagnosed how communism ruptured the unity of European culture
The sister of Martin Luther King Jr was an author, professor and campaigner in her own right
A charming but exacting ‘jobber’ who brought together risk-takers to invest in future innovators
He sparked a revolution in the way financial markets are understood
‘Case 1’ in the study of the condition, he advanced understanding of it, while living a full and quiet life
With more than 2mn clues to his name, he was known as the ‘Mozart’ of the puzzle community
As an actor, she ruled the screen — and as an MP, she was fearless in criticism of the leader she had helped elect
The novelist was the last conjuror of a now vanished America
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