Gavrila Derzhavin
Russian poet and statesman
Born in 1743, a prominent figure in Russian literature and politics, contributed significantly to the development of the Russian language and poetry. Served in various governmental roles, including as a senator and appointed governor of Saint Petersburg. His poetry combined philosophical and lyric elements, garnering admiration from contemporaries and later generations. The ode 'Felitsa' remains one of the most recognized works, illustrating his mastery of poetic form and emotional depth.
Authored the acclaimed poem 'Felitsa'
Held significant political positions including governor of Saint Petersburg
Influenced the evolution of Russian poetry
Other People Born on July 14th
Dave Fleischer
Animator and director of iconic cartoons
Born
July 14th, 1894 131 years ago
Died
June 25th, 1979 46 years ago — 84 years old
An American animator and director, significant contributions included co-founding Fleischer Studios. Created memorable characters such as Popeye and Betty Boop, bringing innovative techniques to animation. Directed the animated feature 'Gulliver's Travels' in 1939, a pivotal moment in animation history. His work laid groundwork for later animation advancements and significantly influenced the animation industry.
Continue ReadingHappy Chandler
American politician and Governor of Kentucky
Born
July 14th, 1898 127 years ago
Died
June 15th, 1991 34 years ago — 92 years old
Served as the 49th Governor of Kentucky from 1939 to 1940. Played a significant role in Kentucky's political landscape during the mid-20th century. Held various positions within the Democratic Party, contributing to state governance. Engaged in business endeavors and promoted industrial growth in the state. Later served as the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, implementing reforms and overseeing the league during a transitional period.
Continue ReadingElfriede Rinkel
German SS officer during World War II
Born
July 14th, 1922 103 years ago
Died
2018 8 years ago — 96 years old
Served as an SS officer during World War II, participating in various military operations. Held a significant position within the SS, contributing to the administration and execution of policies aligned with the regime. Involved in activities that were part of the broader conflict of the war, facilitating the structures of the SS.
Continue ReadingAdam Johnson
Footballer; played for Sunderland
Born
July 14th, 1987 38 years ago
Died
October 28th, 2023 2 years ago — 36 years old
An English footballer played as a winger. Began professional career at Middlesbrough, making over 100 appearances. Transferred to Manchester City in 2010, contributing to the team's success and winning the Premier League title in the 2011-2012 season. Later, played for Sunderland, becoming a key player before legal issues led to a significant decline in career. Represented the England national team, earning several caps and playing in international competitions.
Continue ReadingWoody Guthrie
American folk singer and songwriter
Born
July 14th, 1912 113 years ago
Died
October 3rd, 1967 58 years ago — 55 years old
A prominent American singer-songwriter and guitarist, notable for contributing to the folk music genre. Originated during the Great Depression, he often wrote songs reflecting social issues and the struggles of everyday people. The song 'This Land Is Your Land' became a standard of American folk music, promoting themes of equality and community. His influence extended to later musicians and genres, notably shaping the folk revival movement of the 1960s.
Continue ReadingPlaek Phibunsongkhram
Thai military officer and 3rd Prime Minister
Born
July 14th, 1897 128 years ago
Died
1964 62 years ago — 67 years old
Served as the 3rd Prime Minister of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and again from 1948 to 1957. Played a significant role in modernizing Thailand's infrastructure and adopting Western styles of governance and culture. Established a national identity focused on Thai nationalism and promoted the idea of Thai identity through policies and propaganda. Oversaw Thailand's involvement in World War II on the side of Japan. After the war, transitioned to a more democratic rule, but maintained a significant amount of authority through military influence.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on July 20th
Pierre Fabre
Pharmacist, founder of Laboratoires Pierre Fabre
Born
April 16th, 1926 100 years ago
Died
July 20th, 2013 12 years ago — 87 years old
A pharmacist established Laboratoires Pierre Fabre, a major player in the pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetics industry. Utilized expertise in herbal medicine to develop innovative products, merging science and nature. Focus grew on dermatological solutions, leading to the creation of a wide range of skincare products under various brands. Expanded the company into a global entity while retaining a strong commitment to research and development.
Continue ReadingJean Ingelow
English poet and author of 'Divided'
Born
March 17th, 1820 206 years ago
Died
July 20th, 1897 128 years ago — 77 years old
Born in 1820 in England, a poet and author contributed significantly to English literature during the Victorian era. Ingelow published her first collection of poems, 'A Rhymed Dialogue,' in 1863. Her most notable work, 'Divided,' achieved widespread recognition and popularity, reflecting themes of love and nature. Ingelow also wrote novels, children's fiction, and stories for Young Ladies, displaying versatility in literary forms. Her poetry often featured intricate rhythms and vivid imagery, appealing to a wide audience of readers. In the latter part of the 19th century, she gained a reputation as a prominent literary figure, receiving accolades from her contemporaries.
Continue ReadingAndrey Markov
Mathematician known for Markov chains
Born
June 14th, 1856 169 years ago
Died
July 20th, 1922 103 years ago — 66 years old
This Russian mathematician contributed significantly to probability theory and statistical processes. He introduced Markov chains, a mathematical system that undergoes transitions from one state to another on a state space. This concept has been applied across various fields, including economics, genetics, and computer science. Markov also explored the theory of stochastic processes and earned recognition through publications that influenced the development of modern probability and statistics. His work laid foundational principles for future research and applications in various scientific disciplines.
Continue ReadingCalouste Gulbenkian
Businessman and philanthropist
Born
March 23rd, 1869 157 years ago
Died
July 20th, 1955 70 years ago — 86 years old
Born in 1869, a Turkish-Armenian businessman played a significant role in the development of the oil industry in the Middle East. Established the Turkish Petroleum Company in 1912, which later became part of the Iraq Petroleum Company. Founded the Gulbenkian Foundation in 1956, which focuses on culture, education, and humanitarian activities. Contributed substantially to various charitable causes and fostered cultural enrichment across the globe, particularly in Portugal, where he spent his later years.
Continue ReadingKarl Bernhard Zoeppritz
Geophysicist and seismologist
Born
October 22nd, 1881 144 years ago
Died
July 20th, 1908 117 years ago — 26 years old
Contributed significantly to the field of geophysics and seismology. Developed Zoeppritz equations, which describe the reflection of seismic waves at an interface between two different elastic materials, essential for exploration geophysics. Made substantial advancements in understanding how seismic waves interact with geological structures. Conducted research that laid foundational work for future studies in seismic analysis and petroleum exploration.
Continue ReadingJames Doohan
Actor and veteran, best known as Scotty
Born
March 3rd, 1920 106 years ago
Died
July 20th, 2005 20 years ago — 85 years old
Born in Canada, a military career began during World War II, serving in the Royal Canadian Artillery and participating in the D-Day invasion. After the war, transitioned to acting, gaining prominence for the role of Montgomery Scott, also known as Scotty, in the television series Star Trek, which premiered in 1966 and became a cultural phenomenon. Doohan reprised this role in several Star Trek films and contributed to the franchise's legacy. In addition to acting, he was involved in various voiceover projects and public appearances related to the series, attracting a loyal fanbase.
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