Florence Nightingale

Nurse and founder of modern nursing

Florence Nightingale - Nurse and founder of modern nursing
Born

May 12th, 1820
204 years ago

Died

August 13th, 1910
114 years ago — 90 years old

Category

Activists & Humanitarians

Country

United Kingdom

Links & References

An Italian-English nurse, social reformer, and statistician, contributed significantly to healthcare and established nursing as a profession. Gained recognition during the Crimean War for organizing care for wounded soldiers, significantly reducing the death rate through improved sanitary conditions. Advocated for reforms in hospitals and the nursing profession, establishing the Nightingale Pledge and founding a training school for nurses in London. Emphasized the importance of statistics in healthcare, laying the groundwork for evidence-based nursing practices.

Established the Nightingale Pledge

Organized care during the Crimean War

Founded the Nightingale School of Nursing

Other People Born on May 12th

Earle Nelson

American serial killer known as 'The Gorilla Man'
Born
May 12th, 1897 127 years ago
Died
January 13th, 1928 97 years ago — 30 years old

Active in the 1920s, relied on a pattern of targeting women, employed strangulation as a method of murder. Victims included women in various states across the United States, with a series of killings that spanned multiple cities. Arrested in 1926, the individual had a history of criminal behavior, including robbery and assault. Convicted of murder and sentenced to death, execution took place in San Quentin Prison in 1928.

Continue Reading

Lance Lynn

Baseball pitcher, 2015 All-Star
Born
May 12th, 1987 37 years ago

A prominent participant in Major League Baseball, played primarily as a pitcher. Played for teams including the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, and Texas Rangers. Achieved significant success during tenure with the Cardinals, including winning the World Series in 2011. Selected as an All-Star in 2015, showcasing impressive skills on the mound. Known for resilience and durability, contributing to team performances across multiple seasons.

Continue Reading

Hugh Trumble

Australian Cricketer and Accountant
Born
May 12th, 1867 157 years ago
Died
August 14th, 1938 86 years ago — 71 years old

Played cricket for Australia from 1890 to 1902, specializing as a bowler. Achieved significant success in Test cricket, contributing to the team's victories especially against England. Also notable for playing domestic cricket for Victoria during the same period and was active in the cricket community after retirement as an administrator.

Continue Reading

Bruce Boxleitner

Actor and author of science fiction works
Born
May 12th, 1950 74 years ago

An American actor and author, he gained recognition for his performances in television and film, particularly in science fiction genres. Boxleitner starred as John Sheridan in the popular TV series 'Babylon 5' and portrayed Tron in the original 'Tron' film, contributing to the iconic status of the franchise. He has also appeared in numerous other TV shows and movies throughout his career and authored several novels, primarily within the science fiction realm.

Continue Reading

Orélie-Antoine de Tounens

French lawyer and explorer of Patagonia
Born
May 12th, 1825 199 years ago
Died
September 17th, 1878 146 years ago — 53 years old

An individual embarked on an expedition to Patagonia in the mid-19th century. This journey led to the proclamation of a short-lived kingdom, the Kingdom of Araucania and Patagonia, in 1860. His ambitions included establishing a constitutional monarchy in the region, with himself as king. Despite facing significant challenges and resistance from Chile and Argentina, efforts to gain international recognition continued. The exploration involved territorial claims and interactions with indigenous groups, aiming to advocate for their rights and develop the region. The kingdom's existence was largely symbolic and did not achieve official recognition from foreign powers, but the venture remains a unique chapter in the history of exploration in South America.

Continue Reading

Burt Bacharach

Singer-songwriter and composer of film scores
Born
May 12th, 1928 96 years ago
Died
2023 2 years ago — 95 years old

A prominent figure in the music industry, this artist gained recognition for composing numerous hit songs and film scores. Collaborations with lyricist Hal David resulted in iconic tracks such as 'Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head' and 'I'll Never Fall in Love Again.' The artist also received critical acclaim for creating the soundtrack for the film 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.' With a unique style incorporating elements of jazz, pop, and classical music, contributed to a significant body of work across several decades. In addition to songwriting, involved in producing and arranging music, leading to a distinguished career that influenced many contemporary artists.

Continue Reading

Other People Who Died on August 13th

Wally Amos

Entrepreneur & Founder of Famous Amos Cookies
Born
July 1st, 1936 88 years ago
Died
August 13th, 2024 0 years ago — 88 years old

An entrepreneur established a cookie brand that gained national recognition. Initially worked as a talent agent and later decided to pursue a passion for baking. Launched the Famous Amos cookie brand in 1975, featuring chocolate chip cookies made from a family recipe. The brand quickly grew in popularity, becoming a staple in the snack industry. Besides cookies, wrote several books, including one on baking.

Continue Reading

Johnny Pesky

Baseball player and manager for Red Sox
Born
February 27th, 1919 106 years ago
Died
August 13th, 2012 12 years ago — 93 years old

An American baseball player and manager, primarily associated with the Boston Red Sox, played as a shortstop from 1942 to 1954. Debuted with the team in 1942, serving as a key player during the 1946 season, which culminated in a pennant win and a World Series appearance. Transitioned into management after retirement, leading the Red Sox in the late 1960s and early 1970s, contributing significantly to the team's development during that era. Recognized by fans and players alike, with the nickname 'Mr. Red Sox' highlighting his dedication to the franchise. Continued to be involved with the team for decades after retirement, serving in various capacities.

Continue Reading

Collis Potter Huntington

American railroad magnate and entrepreneur
Born
October 22nd, 1821 203 years ago
Died
August 13th, 1900 124 years ago — 78 years old

A prominent American businessman and railroad magnate, played a significant role in the development of the western United States during the 19th century. Founded the Central Pacific Railroad, which was instrumental in the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad, connecting California with the eastern United States. Expanded business ventures into mining and shipping industries, establishing a strong economic presence in the region. During the late 1800s, worked on several other railroad projects that contributed to the expansion of the American railway system.

Continue Reading

Edward Ginzton

Physicist and academic; microwave technology
Born
1915 110 years ago
Died
August 13th, 1998 26 years ago — 83 years old

Born in Ukraine, this physicist contributed significantly to the field of microwave technology. Emigrating to the United States, he served at Stanford University, advancing both research and education in physics. His work in developing microwave oscillators and amplifiers played a crucial role in several technological advancements. He also co-founded a research center to promote innovation in electronics, further cementing his legacy in the scientific community.

Continue Reading

Ignaz Semmelweis

Physician known for hand hygiene practices
Born
July 1st, 1818 206 years ago
Died
August 13th, 1865 159 years ago — 47 years old

A Hungarian-Austrian physician and obstetrician developed the practice of hand washing to prevent puerperal fever in maternity wards. Worked at Vienna General Hospital, where discovered that the incidence of infection could be drastically reduced by instructing staff to wash their hands with chlorinated lime. Faced significant resistance from his contemporaries, who were skeptical of his findings. Despite the challenges, his theories laid the groundwork for modern antiseptic procedures in medicine.

Continue Reading

Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Indian guru and spiritual leader
Born
December 7th, 1921 103 years ago
Died
August 13th, 2016 8 years ago — 94 years old

Born in 1921, served as the spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Contributed to the promotion of Indian culture and values through various community projects and religious activities. Led numerous efforts in building temples and promoting spirituality within the community. His teachings focused on devotion, ethics, and service to humanity, inspiring thousands across the globe.

Continue Reading