Famous People Who Died Today

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 1 
Martin Luther King Jr.
(African-American Civil Rights Movement Leader Who Used Civil Disobedience to Combat Racism)
Martin Luther King Jr.
503
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: January 15, 1929
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Died: 1968

A leader in the civil rights movement in the mid-twentieth century, Martin Luther King Jr. is best remembered for advancing civil rights through nonviolence and civil disobedience. A man of Christian faith who was inspired by Indian freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent activism, he was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for fighting racial inequality.  

 2 
William Henry Harrison
(The First U.S President to Die in the Office and Had the Shortest Presidency in the U.S. History)
William Henry Harrison
22
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 9, 1773
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Virginia, United States
Died: 1841

The ninth president of the US, William Henry Harrison died 31 days into his presidential term, becoming the shortest-serving US president ever. His demise caused a brief constitutional crisis pertaining to the succession to the presidency. Subsequently, Vice President John Tyler became the new president, setting an important precedent in terms of transfer of the presidency in such situations.

 3 
Roger Ebert
(Film Critic for the "Chicago Sun-Times")
Roger Ebert
17
Birthdate: June 18, 1942
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Urbana, Illinois, United States
Died: 2013

Roger Ebert was an American journalist, author, screenwriter, film historian, and film critic. While working as a film critic for the daily newspaper Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert received the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism, becoming the first film critic to be honored with the prestigious award. He was often described as America's most influential and prominent film critic of all time.

 4 
Gloria Swanson
(Actress and Producer Best Known for Her Motion Picture Drama ‘Sunset Boulevard’)
Gloria Swanson
10
Birthdate: March 27, 1899
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: 1983

Actress and producer, Gloria Swanson, appeared in dozens of silent films in the 1920s and became a prominent Hollywood figure. As a teenager, she ventured into acting by chance and became a popular face soon after. After establishing herself as an actress, she became a filmmaker as well and is considered one of the film industry's pioneering women filmmakers.

 5 
Edgar Buchanan
8
Listed In: Physicians
Birthdate: March 20, 1903
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Humansville, Missouri, United States
Died: 1979
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 6 
Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
(Politician & Civil Rights Activist)
Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
9
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: November 29, 1908
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Died: 1972
 7 
John Napier
(Inventor of Logarithms)
John Napier
22
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: February 1, 1550
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Merchiston Tower, Edinburgh
Died: 1617

John Napier was a Scottish mathematician, astronomer, and physicist. He is credited with introducing logarithms as a means of simplifying calculations. He also invented Napier's bones, a manually-operated calculating device. In addition to his interest in mathematics, John Napier was also known for his skills as a magician; it is said that he dabbled in necromancy and alchemy.

 8 
Karl Benz
(Entrepreneur)
Karl Benz
10
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: November 25, 1844
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Mühlburg, Karlsruhe, Germany
Died: 1929

Karl Benz was a German engine designer, automotive engineer, and entrepreneur.  He designed the Benz Patent Motorcar, for which he received a patent in 1886. He studied mechanical engineering at the University of Karlsruhe before venturing into developing motorcars. His Benz Patent Motorcar is widely regarded as the world's first production automobile. 

 9 
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
(4th President of Pakistan and 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan)
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
24
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 5, 1928
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Larkana, Pakistan
Died: 1979

Pakistani barrister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto served as the prime minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977. He had also been the president of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. He founded and chaired the Pakistan People's Party. His reign witnessed the formation of Bangladesh and the signing of the Simla Agreement.

 10 
Faith Domergue
4
Birthdate: June 16, 1924
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Died: 1999
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 11 
Oliver Goldsmith
(Anglo-Irish Novelist, Playwright, Dramatist and Poet)
Oliver Goldsmith
6
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: November 10, 1728
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: County Longford, Ireland
Died: 1774

Oliver Goldsmith was an Anglo-Irish novelist, poet, and playwright. Described by his contemporaries as a disorganized and impetuous person, Goldsmith is best remembered for his works, such as The Vicar of Wakefield, The Deserted Village, and She Stoops to Conquer. A respected writer, Goldsmith's statue has been erected in several places, including the Trinity College, Dublin.

 12 
Priscilla Lane
(Actress)
Priscilla Lane
1
Birthdate: June 12, 1915
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Indianola, Iowa, United States
Died: 1995
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
 13 
Samuel Reshevsky
(American Chess Grandmaster)
Samuel Reshevsky
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 26, 1911
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Ozorkow, Poland
Died: 1992
 14 
John Venn
(Mathematician)
John Venn
3
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: August 4, 1834
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kingston upon Hull
Died: 1923
 15 
Pierre S. du Pont
(Entrepreneur)
Pierre S. du Pont
1
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: January 15, 1870
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Wilmington, Delaware, United States
Died: 1954
 16 
Peter Cooper
(Industrialist & Inventors)
Peter Cooper
2
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: February 12, 1791
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New York City
Died: 1883
 17 
Soon-Tek Oh
(Actor, Playwright)
Soon-Tek Oh
2
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: June 29, 1932
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Mokpo-si, South Korea
Died: 2018
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 18 
Isidore of Seville
(Spanish Scholar, Theologian, and Archbishop of Seville)
Isidore of Seville
0
Birthdate: 0560 AD
Birthplace: Cartagena, Spain
Died: 0636

Spanish scholar Isidore of Seville is widely remembered as the last of the Western Latin Fathers. His Etymologies was a chief reference book for years. The 7th-century archbishop of Sevilla wrote about varied subjects, such as religion, science, history, and linguistics. He had a major role in the Councils of Toledo.

 19 
William Crookes
(British Chemist and Physicist Known for His Discovery of the Element 'Thallium' and Invention of 'Crookes Tubes')
William Crookes
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: June 17, 1832
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: London, England
Died: 1919

William Crookes was a British chemist and physicist remembered as a pioneer of vacuum tubes. He was the inventor of what became known as the Crookes tube. He is also credited with the discovery of the element thallium. He was the first person to describe the spectrum of terrestrial helium. He was interested in spiritualism and occultism as well. 

 20 
Ray Wilkins
(English Football Player and Coach)
Ray Wilkins
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 14, 1956
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Hillingdon, England
Died: 2018
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 21 
Timothy Brown
(American football player)
Timothy Brown
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 24, 1937
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Richmond, Indiana, United States
Died: 2020
 22 
Julius Martov
(Russian Revolutionary and Prominent Menshevik Leader)
Julius Martov
2
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 24, 1873
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Constantinople, Turkey
Died: 1923

Russian revolutionary and politician Julius Martov was a prominent leader of the Mensheviks. A close associate of Vladimir Lenin since his initial political career, he later clashed with Lenin’s ideology of limiting party membership to an exclusive group. He spent his finals years in Berlin as an editor of Socialist Courier.

 23 
Wilhelm Ostwald
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: September 2, 1853
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Riga
Died: 1932

Wilhelm Ostwald was a Baltic German philosopher and chemist who is credited with co-founding the field of physical chemistry. A polymath, Ostwald made significant contributions to philosophy, art, and politics, especially after his retirement from academic life. His contributions to the fields of reaction velocities, chemical equilibria, and catalysis earned him the 1909 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

 24 
Hermann Joseph Muller
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: December 21, 1890
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: 1967

Nobel Prize-winning German geneticist Hermann Joseph Muller is best remembered for his work on mutation and the effects of radiation on genes. His contributions include his book The Mechanism of Mendelian Heredity, which is a classic text in the subject. He was named the 1963 Humanist of the Year.

 25 
Robert Mundell
(Canadian Economist and Winner of the 1999 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences)
Robert Mundell
1
Birthdate: October 24, 1932
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kingston, Canada
Died: 2021

Nobel Prize-winning Canadian economist Robert Mundell is best remembered for his work on monetary dynamics and optimum currency, which also laid the foundation for the introduction of the euro. The LSE and MIT alumnus had also taught at institutes such as Columbia University and the University of Chicago.

 26 
Harry Nyquist
(Physicist, Computer scientist, Engineer, Statistician, Mathematician)
Harry Nyquist
2
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: February 7, 1889
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Kil Municipality
Died: 1976

Harry Nyquist was a Swedish electronic engineer and physicist best remembered for his contributions to communication theory. His work earned him many prestigious awards such as the IRE Medal of Honor, the Stuart Ballantine Medal, and the Rufus Oldenburger Medal. Harry Nyquist is also remembered for his association with Bell Telephone Laboratories.

 27 
Early Wynn
(Baseball Pitcher)
Early Wynn
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 6, 1920
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Hartford, Alabama, United States
Died: 1999
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 28 
Mary J Rathbun
(Zoologist)
Mary J Rathbun
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: June 11, 1860
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, United States
Died: 1943
 29 
Max Frisch
(Playwright, Novelist & One of the Founders of Left-Wing Swiss Writer's Club 'Gruppe Olten')
Max Frisch
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: May 15, 1911
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Zurich, Switzerland
Died: 1991

Jerusalem Prize-winning Swiss playwright and novelist Max Frisch had initially quit his studies in literature to become a journalist. He later also worked as an architect, before taking to writing full-time. He is known for his works such as Andorra and Santa Cruz and his frequent use of irony.

 30 
John Bidwell
(Soldier)
John Bidwell
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: August 5, 1819
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Chautauqua, New York, United States
Died: 1900
 31 
Carmine Infantino
(Artist)
Carmine Infantino
1
Birthdate: May 24, 1925
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: 2013
 32 
Heinrich Ehrler
(German Luftwaffe Wing Commander and Military Aviator)
Heinrich Ehrler
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 14, 1917
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Lauda-Königshofen
Died: 1945
 33 
Carl Ludwig Siegel
(Mathematician)
Carl Ludwig Siegel
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: December 31, 1896
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Berlin, German Empire
Died: 1981
 34 
Ruy López de Villalobos
(Explorer Who Sailed the Pacific From Mexico to Establish a Permanent Foothold for Spain)
Ruy López de Villalobos
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1500 AD
Birthplace: Málaga, Spain
Died: 1544
 35 
George Pastell
(Actor)
George Pastell
0
Birthdate: March 13, 1923
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Nicosia, Cyprus
Died: 1976
 36 
Luis Eduardo Aute
(Musician)
Luis Eduardo Aute
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: September 13, 1943
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Manila, Philippines
Died: 2020
 37 
Alexander Henry The Elder
(Explorer, Pioneer of British-Canadian Fur Trade)
Alexander Henry The Elder
2
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: 1739
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: New Brunswick
Died: 1824

Alexander Henry The Elder was a fur trader and a partner in the North West Company. He was also a founding member and vice-chairman of the Beaver Club. He took an apprenticeship in business as a young man and ventured into the fur trade. He traveled extensively between different continents and pioneered the British-Canadian fur trade. 

 38 
Kate Roberts
(Welsh writer)
Kate Roberts
2
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: February 13, 1891
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Rhosgadfan, Wales
Died: 1985

Author Kate Roberts was perhaps the first woman to make a significant impact in Welsh literature. The poverty and harsh living standards of Welsh villages was the predominant theme of most of her writings. She was mostly known for her short story collections, such as Tea in the Heather.

 39 
Hermann Cohen
(Philosopher)
Hermann Cohen
0
Birthdate: July 4, 1842
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Coswig, Anhalt, Germany
Died: 1918
 40 
Carol Burkett
(American Racing Driver)
Carol Burkett
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 29, 1945
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Franklin, West Virginia, United States
Died: 2020
 41 
Juliano Mer-Khamis
(Actor and Filmmaker Known for Establishing 'The Freedom Theatre')
Juliano Mer-Khamis
0
Birthdate: May 29, 1958
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Nazareth, Israel
Died: 2011

A passionate believer in the Palestinian cause, Juliano Mer-Khamis was an Israeli-Palestinian actor, theatre director and filmmaker, known especially for his 2004 documentary film, Arna's Children. Also the founder of the Jenin Freedom Theatre, he was a symbol of the bi-national dream, advocating cooperation between Palestine and Israel. Assassinated in 2011, he stood firmly against religious dogma and gender oppression.

 42 
Chogyam Trungpa
(Teacher)
Chogyam Trungpa
0
Birthdate: March 5, 1939
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Nangchen, Kham region, Tibet
Died: 1987
 43 
Chaïbia Talal
(Painter)
Chaïbia Talal
1
Birthdate: 1929 AD
Birthplace: Chtouka, Morocco
Died: 2004
 44 
Hubert Ogunde
(Nigerian Actor, Theatre Manager, and Playwright Who is Known as the Father of Nigerian Theatre)
Hubert Ogunde
0
Birthdate: July 10, 1916
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ososa, Nigeria
Died: 1990
Hubert Ogunde was a Nigerian actor, musician, theatre manager, and playwright. He is credited with founding the African Music Research Party, Nigeria's first contemporary professional theatrical company. Referred to as the father of Nigerian theatre, Hubert Ogunde wrote over 50 plays, most of which reflect the social and political realities of the period.
 45 
Giovanni Sartori
(Political scientist)
Giovanni Sartori
0
Birthdate: May 13, 1924
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Florence, Italy
Died: 2017
 46 
Rafael Leonardo Callejas Romero
(President of Honduras)
Rafael Leonardo Callejas Romero
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 14, 1943
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Died: 2020
 47 
Dick Wood
(American Football Player and Coach)
Dick Wood
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 29, 1936
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Lanett, Alabama, United States
Died: 2015
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
 48 
Beryl Gilroy
(Writer, Teacher and Poet)
Beryl Gilroy
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: August 30, 1924
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Skeldon, Berbice, Guyana
Died: 2001
 49 
Władysław Tatarkiewicz
(Art historian, Philosopher)
Władysław Tatarkiewicz
0
Birthdate: April 3, 1886
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Warsaw
Died: 1980
 50 
Pope Formosus
(Bishop of Rome)
Pope Formosus
0
Birthdate: 0816 AD
Birthplace: Rome, Italy
Died: 0896