Bartok, Bela (1881-19450: Hungarian composer and pianist.

Baskerville, John (1706-’75): British typographer who is known for the widely used Baskerville typeface.

Basu, Jyoti (b.1914): Veteran communist leader. CM of West Bengal for a record five consecutive terms until Nov. 2000.

Batistuta, Gabriel (b.1969): Former Argentine international footballer retired 2005.

Batuta, Ibn (1304-1378): Traveller from North Africa who spent eight years in India. His travelogue is source for the political history of the Khalji and Tuglaq dynasties of the Delhi sultanate.

Beatles, The (Paul Mc Cartney, John Lennon (1940-80), George Harrison (1943-2001), Ringo starr): English vocal and instrumental rock ‘n’ roll quartet whose highly original and melodic songs held the attention of youth all over the world in the 60’s.

Beaverbrook, Lord (1879-1964): British financier, statesman and newspaper owner.

Becker, Boris (b.1967): German tennis player. Youngest Wimbledon champion, 1985, 1986, 1989. Retired in 1997.

Becket, Smauel (1906-’89): Irish playwright and novelist. Nobel prize, 1969.

Becket, Thomas (1118-’70): Saint and martyr. Archbishop of Canterbury who made the position of the church his first care and, came into conflict with King HenryII. Murdered in Canterbury cathedral.