Merchant Biographies

Contemporary era

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

b. September 13, 1957

President of the Philippines since 2022

Medieval era

Abu Bakr

October 27, 573 CE – August 23, 634 CE

1st Rashidun Caliph and father-in-law of Muhammad

Medieval era

Marco Polo

September 15, 1254 – January 8, 1324

Venetian merchant whose travels opened European eyes to Asia

Medieval era

Amerigo Vespucci

March 9, 1454 – February 22, 1512

Florentine explorer, financier, navigator and cartographer

Early Modern era

Olaudah Equiano

1745 – March 31, 1797

Black British abolitionist and writer (c. 1745 – 1797)

Early Modern era

Sarmad Kashani

1590 – 1661

Persian mystic, poet and saint

Medieval era

Benjamin of Tudela

1130 – 1174

Jewish explorer and writer

Medieval era

Jacques Coeur

1395 – November 25, 1456

French merchant, one of the founders of the trade between France and the Levant

Medieval era

Etienne Marcel

1315 – July 31, 1358

Provost of the merchants of Paris (1315-1358)

Medieval era

Khadija bint Khuwaylid

c. 557 CE – 619 CE

First wife of Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ, First believer in Islam and Prophet Muhammad’s most beloved wife

Early Modern era

John Hancock

January 23, 1737 – October 8, 1793

American Patriot and statesman during the American Revolution (1737–1793)

Early Modern era

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

October 24, 1632 – August 26, 1723

Dutch scientist known as "the Father of Microbiology", and one of the first microscopists (1632–1723)

Medieval era

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

Businesswoman of Mecca and first believer in Islam