Francis de Sales

Bishop and saint of the Catholic Church

Francis de Sales - Bishop and saint of the Catholic Church
Born

August 21st, 1567
458 years ago

Died

December 28th, 1622
402 years ago — 55 years old

Category

Leaders & Politicians

Country

Switzerland

Links & References

A bishop in Geneva during the Protestant Reformation, he became a prominent figure for his efforts in the Counter-Reformation through writing and preaching. His significant contributions to spiritual literature include 'Introduction to the Devout Life' and 'Treatise on the Love of God'. Francis founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, which focused on the education of women and service to the poor. Canonized in 1665, he was later declared a Doctor of the Church in 1877.

Wrote 'Introduction to the Devout Life'

Founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary

Declared Doctor of the Church in 1877

Other People Born on August 21st

Cleo King

Actress known for 'The Mindy Project'
Born
August 21st, 1962 63 years ago

An American actress, recognized for roles on television and in film. Gained prominence with a role in the series 'The Mindy Project', where comedic talent was showcased. Also appeared in 'Mike & Molly' and 'The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause'. Brought to life a range of characters with humor and depth, contributing to various productions in the entertainment industry.

Continue Reading

Jerry DaVanon

Baseball player with the St. Louis Cardinals
Born
August 21st, 1945 80 years ago

Played as an infielder in Major League Baseball from 1965 to 1970. Notable for time spent with the St. Louis Cardinals and the California Angels. Concluded playing career with a total of 391 games in the MLB, primarily filling roles at shortstop and second base. Was part of the Cardinals organization during their competitive years.

Continue Reading

Charles Frédéric Gerhardt

Chemist and academic known for organic chemistry
Born
August 21st, 1816 209 years ago
Died
1856 169 years ago — 40 years old

Contributed significantly to the field of organic chemistry during the 19th century. Developed the Gerhardt process, which was a notable advancement in preparing organic compounds. Engaged in academic pursuits, influencing the education of many chemists. Collaborated with prominent chemists of the time and published several important works in chemistry that further established fundamental concepts in the discipline.

Continue Reading

Melvin Van Peebles

Influential filmmaker and screenwriter
Born
August 21st, 1932 93 years ago
Died
2021 4 years ago — 89 years old

An American actor, director, and screenwriter. Steered the independent film movement in the 1970s with the film 'Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song', which became a landmark in Black cinema. Worked across multiple forms of media including theater and literature, exploring themes of race and identity. Established a unique style that blended humor and social commentary. Continued to create and influence through various artistic collaborations.

Continue Reading

Eric Goles

Chilean mathematician and computer scientist
Born
August 21st, 1951 74 years ago

A mathematician and computer scientist contributed significantly to the field of cellular automata and algorithmic complexity. Developed Goles's theorem in 1995, which is a fundamental result in the theory of cellular automata. Served as a professor at various universities in Chile, specializing in the areas of mathematical logic and theoretical computer science. Engaged in research that explored intersections between mathematics and computer science, influencing both disciplines.

Continue Reading

Paul Menard

Race car driver and NASCAR competitor
Born
August 21st, 1980 45 years ago

Competed in the NASCAR Cup Series with a career spanning over a decade. Achieved significant success with a memorable win at the Brickyard 400 in 2011, driving for Richard Childress Racing. Showcased versatility by participating in various racing series, including ARCA and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Developed a reputation for consistent performances during the NASCAR season, earning multiple top-ten finishes and becoming a well-recognized figure in the sport.

Continue Reading

Other People Who Died on December 28th

Vijayakanth

Indian actor and politician
Born
1952 73 years ago
Died
December 28th, 2023 1 years ago — 71 years old

A prominent figure in Tamil cinema and politics, this individual served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Tamil Nadu. The film career began in the early 1990s, with notable performances in films such as 'Enthiran' and 'Kavalan'. Transitioning to politics, a political party was founded, and the individual contested in several elections, securing a seat in the Tamil Nadu assembly. The individual’s work spanned decades, with a reputation built in both film and political arenas.

Continue Reading

Joseph Pitton de Tournefort

Botanist and mycologist, flora classification
Born
1656 369 years ago
Died
December 28th, 1708 316 years ago — 52 years old

A prominent French botanist and mycologist, significant contributions were made to the field of botany, particularly in the classification and description of plants. The publication 'Éléments de botanique' in 1694 is one of the major works, establishing a systematic framework for plant classification. Often regarded as a pioneering figure in the study of plant taxonomy, extensive travels to Greece and the Mediterranean regions allowed for the collection and identification of numerous plant species. The genus Tournefortia, named in his honor, highlights his influential role in botanical nomenclature. His systematic approach laid groundwork for later developments in plant biology.

Continue Reading

Alfred Edwin McKay

Pilot and Canadian military captain
Born
December 27th, 1892 132 years ago
Died
December 28th, 1917 107 years ago — 25 years old

Served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War I. Played a crucial role in various missions, showcasing skill and bravery in aerial combat. Achieved the rank of captain while demonstrating leadership in challenging situations. Contributed to the development of aviation tactics during the war. After the war, continued to be involved in civil aviation and fostered the growth of flying clubs in Canada.

Continue Reading

Halton Arp

Astronomer and critic of redshift theory
Born
March 21st, 1927 98 years ago
Died
December 28th, 2013 11 years ago — 86 years old

An American-German astronomer contributed significantly to the field of astronomy. Arp focused on peculiar galaxies and questioned the validity of redshift as a measure of distance in the universe, proposing alternative theories. Arp published several important works, including 'Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies', which featured 338 unique galaxies with unusual characteristics. This influential atlas aided in the understanding of galaxy formations and interactions. Arp also engaged in critical debates about the nature of galaxies and the interpretation of astronomical data, challenging mainstream cosmology.

Continue Reading

Konrad Peutinger

German humanist and antiquarian
Born
October 14th, 1465 560 years ago
Died
December 28th, 1547 477 years ago — 82 years old

Born in 1465, this individual was a prominent figure in the study of antiquity and geography during the Renaissance. Initiated into humanist circles, this person contributed to the preservation and understanding of classical texts and artifacts. The extensive collection gathered included maps, manuscripts, and rare books, significantly enriching the scope of knowledge about the ancient world. This individual held a particular interest in Roman history and geography, which led to the creation of a renowned map of the ancient Roman Empire. The map served as an important resource for scholars and historians in later periods, aiding in the study of ancient roads and territories. The legacy remained influential in the fields of history and cartography.

Continue Reading

Ante Pavelić

Fascist dictator during WWII regime
Born
July 14th, 1889 136 years ago
Died
December 28th, 1959 65 years ago — 70 years old

A Croatian politician and leader of the Ustaše movement, attained power during World War II. Ruled as the head of the Independent State of Croatia from 1941 until 1945. Implemented policies leading to significant persecution against Serbs, Jews, and Roma. After the war, fled into exile and lived in various countries, remaining a controversial figure in Croatian history until death in 1959 in Spain.

Continue Reading