Rákosi, Mátyás. 1892-1971. Stalinist Hungarian leader 1945-56. Fled before 1956 uprising.

Rakovsky, Khristian. 1873-?. Russian Communist leader. Opposed Stalin. Imprisoned 1938.

Ramakrishna. 1836-86. Indian mystic. Founded universal religion.

Raman, C.V. 1888-1970. Indian physicist. Raman effect: wavelength shift of deflected light.

Ramathibodi I. 1312-69. Unified Siam. Founded Ayutthaya dynasty 1350-1767.

Ramayana. c300BC. Sanskrit epic poem. Life of Rama.

Rambouillet, Marquise de. 1588-1665. First Paris literary salon.

Rameau, Jean-Philippe. 1683-1764. Composer for harpsichord and operas based on classical themes. Castor and Pollux 1737. Pygmalion 1748.

Ramsay, William. 1852-1916. English chemist: discovered helium 1895; neon, krypton, xenon 1898.

Ramses II. The Great. Pharaoh of Egypt 1304-1237BC. Built temples. Age of prosperity.

Ramuz, Charles. 1878-1947. Swiss novelist: Terror on the Mountain 1925. Beauty on Earth 1927. Soldier’s Tale.

Rand, Ayn. 1905-82. Russian/US Objectivist novelist. Fountainhead 1943. Atlas Shrugged 1957.

Randolph, Peyton. 1721-75. American Revolutionary, first president of Continental Congress 1774.

Rankin, Jeanette. 1880-1973. First US Congresswoman. 1917-9, 1941-3. Only vote against declaring war on Japan. WWII.

Ranters. 1649-60. English Puritan mystic sect.

Rapallo Treaty. 1920. Italy,Yugoslavia establish free city of Rijeka, settle borders. 1922 Normalized relations of Germany, USSR. Cancelled war indemnities.

Rappites. 19C. Christian communities in Germany, US.

Rasputin, Grigori. 1872-1916. Russian adventurer, mystic. Influential in court of Nicholas II, 1906-. Murdered.

Rastatt, Congress of. 1713. After War of Spanish Succession, Holy Roman Empire renounces claim to Spanish throne. 1797-9. Failed at peace between France and HRE.

Rathenau. Walter. 1867-1922. German industrialist, statesman. Organized economy for WWI. Assassinated.

Ravaillac, Francois. 1578-1610. Assassin of Henry IV. Quartered.

Ravel, Maurice. 1875-1937. French Impressionist composer. Adopted new forms such as jazz and atonality. Boléro 1928.

Ravenna. 402 Western Roman Empire capital. 476 Ostrogothic capital of Italy. 553 Byzantine. 751 Lombard. 754 Franks. 1278 Papal States. 1441 Venice. 1509 Papal States. 1859 Sardinia. 1861 Italy.

Ray, Man. 1890-1976. US Dada painter/photographer.

Ray, Rammohan. 1772-1833. Indian Hindu scholar, translator. Helped abolish suttee.

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