“Who Was?” is a popular children’s non-fiction book series of short, illustrated biographies about famous people and important historical figures. These books are written for middle-grade readers and cover everyone from scientists and activists to artists, world leaders, and sports stars.

What “Who Was?” books are

  • A long-running biography series (over 250 titles) published by Penguin for young readers.
  • Each book focuses on one notable person, telling their life story in simple language, with black‑and‑white illustrations and timelines.
  • Subjects include historical figures like Gandhi and Marie Curie, cultural icons like David Bowie, and writers like J. R. R. Tolkien and Jane Austen.

A few example titles

  • Who Was Muhammad Ali?
  • Who Was Marie Curie?
  • Who Was Genghis Khan?
  • Who Was Beatrix Potter?
  • Who Was Queen Elizabeth II?

These titles are typically shelved in children’s biography sections in bookstores and libraries, and many schools use them to help kids get quick, engaging introductions to major figures from history and culture.

If by “who was books” you meant something else (for example the band “The Books” or just “what are books in general?”), tell me which one you had in mind and I can focus on that.