Michael Phelps, Michael Phelps, Michael Phelps, that's all everyone is talking about these days. And, okay, with good reason. But let's not forget about the other notable Phelps—especially the following 6, who are some of my Phavorite Phelps.
1 and 2: Identical twins James Andrew Eric Phelps and Oliver Martyn John Phelps (b. 1986)
You know them from: All those great Harry Potter films. Yes, they are Fred and George Weasly. Phunny Phelps Phactoid: According to IMDB, the twins switched places on the set once, only to be caught and forced to redo all the scenes over again. Favorite HP books: James: Prisoner of Azkaban Oliver: Goblet of FireThe long and short of it: While not as tall as Michael Phelps (6'4"), the Phelps twins stand an impressive 6'3" each.
3. Isaac Newton Phelps Stokes (b. 1867 d. 1944)
You know him from: This great John Singer Sargent painting of him and his wife, which Isaac Newton Phelps Stokes commissioned. You also know him as: the architect of St. Paul's Chapel up at Columbia University. The other Isaac Newton: No, this Isaac Newton did not pen Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, but he is the author of the gigantic, 6-volume work: The Iconography of Manhattan Island, one of the best, most comprehensive illustrated histories of Manhattan.
4. Charles Phelps Taft II (b. 1897 d. 1983)
You know him as: President William Howard Taft's son You also know him as: "Mr. Cincinnati"—a nickname he received when he was mayor of Cincinnati (supposedly one of the city's best ever). This Phelps was wed to: Eleanor Kellogg Chase"¦ thrown in the surname Taft, and that's just an embarrassment of riches.
5. Jim Phelps (fictional character)
You know him from: Mission Impossible, the original director of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF) On TV, he was played by: Peter Graves In the first MI film, he was played by: Jon Voight Curious Phelps Phactoid: In the original TV series, Phelps was the man. In the first movie, Ethan Hunt was the man, and Phelps the IMF traitor. As one reviewer once wrote: "That's like killing off Mr. Brady 10 minutes into The Brady Bunch Movie."
6. William Wines Phelps (b. 1792 d. 1872)
You know him as: the author of numerous Latter Day Saint hymns like "The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning." He's also well known for: helping to print the first Latter Day Saint hymnal as well as an early edition of the church's Doctrine and Covenants. Curious Phelps Phactoids: W.W. was excommunicated by the church at least three times during the course of his life, two less than the number of wives he had.