Born: c. 563 B.C.
Died: c. 483 B.C. (possibly food poisoning)
Birthplace: Kapilvastu, Nepal
Best known as:
The founder of Buddhism

4 good links

The Life of Buddha
The story of his life, with related articles
Enlightenment
Good introduction for beginners
Siddhartha Gautama
From the World Cultures page at Washington State University
Buddha
Biographical notes

Buddha Biography

Religious Figure

Name at birth: Siddhartha Gautama

Buddha ("the awakened") was the title given to Siddhartha Gautama, the son of a Nepalese rajah. According to tradition, Guatama left a life of luxury at age 30 and devoted himself to years of contemplation and self-denial, finally reaching enlightenment while sitting beneath a tree. Henceforth known as Buddha, he spent his life teaching disciples about his beliefs (embodied in the Four Noble Truths) and the goal of achieving the enlightened state of Nirvana.