Arshile Gorky

Painter and illustrator of abstract art

Arshile Gorky - Painter and illustrator of abstract art
Born

April 15th, 1904
121 years ago

Died

July 21st, 1948
76 years ago — 44 years old

Category

Artists & Creatives

Country

United States

Links & References

Born in 1904, this Armenian-American painter became a prominent figure in the abstract expressionist movement. Moving to the United States in the 1920s, developed a style that fused elements of surrealism and personal symbolism. Worked in various media, including painting and drawing, drawing inspiration from the work of Picasso and the European avant-garde. Produced significant works like 'The Artist and His Mother', reflecting personal themes and early life experiences. Died in 1948, leaving behind a legacy in modern art.

Created 'The Artist and His Mother'

Experimented with abstract expressionism

Other People Born on April 15th

Johannes Stark

German physicist and Nobel laureate
Born
April 15th, 1874 151 years ago
Died
June 21st, 1957 67 years ago — 83 years old

Born in Germany in 1874, a physicist focused on the study of atomic structure and phenomena such as the Stark effect, where spectral lines are split into multiple components in the presence of an electric field. This phenomenon provided significant insights into atomic theory. Stark conducted extensive research in the field of spectroscopy and made substantial contributions to the understanding of molecular structure. In 1919, awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for these contributions.

Continue Reading

David Omand

English civil servant and academic
Born
April 15th, 1947 78 years ago

A civil servant and academic, contributions included serving as Director of GCHQ from 1997 to 2002. Played a role in the development of national security strategies and intelligence policies. Later, involved in academic pursuits, focusing on security studies and the implications of technology on governance. Engaged in multiple think tanks and academic institutions, contributing to discussions on intelligence and security.

Continue Reading

Elmer Gedeon

Baseball player and bomber pilot
Born
April 15th, 1917 108 years ago
Died
April 20th, 1944 81 years ago — 27 years old

An American baseball player and bomber pilot, played for the Washington Senators in Major League Baseball. After his baseball career, served as a pilot in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Gedeon was killed in action in 1944, becoming one of the few professional athletes to lose their life in the conflict.

Continue Reading

Miguel Najdorf

Chess player and theoretician, author
Born
April 15th, 1910 115 years ago
Died
1997 28 years ago — 87 years old

A Polish-Argentinian chess player and theoretician contributed significantly to chess theory and literature. Najdorf migrated to Argentina in 1939 and became a leading figure in Argentinian chess. He won numerous national championships and was a prominent participant in international tournaments. His work in chess theory, particularly in the Sicilian Defense, influenced many players. Najdorf authored several books on chess, enriching the education of future generations of players.

Continue Reading

Kenneth Lay

Businessman and Enron CEO
Born
April 15th, 1942 83 years ago
Died
July 5th, 2006 18 years ago — 64 years old

Born in 1942, a prominent American businessman served as the CEO and chairman of Enron Corporation, an energy company based in Houston, Texas. Lay played a crucial role in the company's rapid growth in the 1990s, promoting innovative energy trading and deregulation. Under his leadership, Enron's stock skyrocketed, making it one of the largest companies in the United States. However, amid accounting scandals, Enron filed for bankruptcy in 2001, marking one of the largest bankruptcies in U.S. history. Lay faced criminal charges related to securities fraud and conspiracy, though he died before the trial concluded.

Continue Reading

Jean Danjou

French military captain, Battle of Camarón
Born
April 15th, 1828 197 years ago
Died
April 30th, 1863 161 years ago — 35 years old

Served as a captain in the French Foreign Legion. Participated in the Battle of Camarón in 1863, leading a small force against a much larger Mexican army. Displayed exceptional leadership and bravery during the conflict, which became a symbol of the Legion's spirit. Died in battle, and his actions have been commemorated in military history.

Continue Reading

Other People Who Died on July 21st

James D. Ramage

American admiral and naval aviator
Born
1916 109 years ago
Died
July 21st, 2012 12 years ago — 96 years old

An American admiral and naval aviator served the United States Navy. Contributed significantly during the Vietnam War, leading aviation squadrons in combat operations. Played a crucial role in various naval operations and training programs. Graduated from the United States Naval Academy, achieving a prominent career in naval aviation. Served in key leadership positions within the naval aviation community, guiding future generations of aviators and ensuring operational readiness.

Continue Reading

Alene Duerk

U.S. Navy first female admiral
Born
1920 105 years ago
Died
July 21st, 2018 6 years ago — 98 years old

Served in the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of Rear Admiral, the first woman to hold this position in the Navy. Joined the Navy during World War II, where service as a nurse began. Contributed significantly to the advancement of women in the military, advocating for equal opportunities and representation. Earned recognition for leadership and commitment to service throughout a career spanning several decades. Continued to influence naval policy and women's integration in the armed forces into retirement.

Continue Reading

Dick Nanninga

Dutch footballer and World Cup participant
Born
1949 76 years ago
Died
July 21st, 2015 9 years ago — 66 years old

A professional footballer from the Netherlands, played primarily as a striker. Achievements included playing for several clubs, including FC Groningen and Fortuna Sittard. Represented the national team in major tournaments, contributing to the squad's performance in the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Accumulated a reputation for his goal-scoring abilities during club and international matches.

Continue Reading

Ralph Houk

Baseball manager and player, Yankees
Born
August 9th, 1919 105 years ago
Died
July 21st, 2010 14 years ago — 90 years old

Played as a catcher in Major League Baseball and managed the New York Yankees. Played from 1947 to 1953. Managed the Yankees from 1961 to 1963, leading the team to a World Series championship in 1961. Also managed the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox during a career spanning several decades.

Continue Reading

Edward B. Lewis

American biologist and Nobel Laureate
Born
May 20th, 1918 106 years ago
Died
July 21st, 2004 20 years ago — 86 years old

An American biologist and geneticist contributed significantly to the understanding of genetic mechanisms through research on the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1995 for discovering genes controlling the development of body plan in organisms. His academic career included teaching at the California Institute of Technology, influencing generations of scientists. Conducted groundbreaking studies elucidating the role of homeotic genes in regulating the development of body segments.

Continue Reading

Louise Abeita

Native American writer and educator
Born
September 9th, 1926 98 years ago
Died
July 21st, 2014 10 years ago — 87 years old

Born in Isleta Pueblo, a Native American community, a prominent writer, poet, and educator focused on Native American issues and culture. Contributions to literature include the poetry collection 'The Moon in the Water', which reflects Indigenous themes and experiences. Held teaching positions influencing young Indigenous writers and advocated for preserving Native languages and culture through education.

Continue Reading