About the project

A global guide to influential lives

Biography Compass is an independent English-language reference covering the political, business, sporting and cultural figures who shaped their countries—and the wider world.

What we are building

Our biographies connect a person to dated offices, organisations, achievements and historical events. The aim is not to publish the largest number of profiles, but to make every page useful, readable and traceable to reliable sources.

People in historical context

Biography works best when readers can see the turning points around a life. Our history guides and thematic collections connect individual careers to national milestones, institutions, economic development and international competition.

Southeast Asia: the first regional collection

The collection began with Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak alongside Peninsular Malaysia, and now connects Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, Myanmar and Timor-Leste. Their intertwined political, commercial and cultural histories provide the first model for following lives both within national archives and across borders.

Who is responsible

Articles are researched, written and maintained by the Biography Compass Editorial Team. Read our editorial standards, research methodology and image licensing policy.