George William Russell
Irish author, poet, painter, and editor
An influential figure in the Irish literary revival, contributed significantly to literature through poetry, essays, and artistic endeavors. Edited the Irish nationalist newspaper 'The Irish Homestead' and published numerous works including 'The Story of Ireland' and 'The House of the Titans'. Associated with the Dublin and Belfast literary circles, engaged in the promotion of Irish culture and folklore. Established a distinct style that merged mysticism with realism, becoming an emblematic figure of the early 20th century.
Published poetry collections like 'Homeward Songs'
Contributed to 'The Dublin Magazine'
Played a key role in the Irish nationalist movement
Other People Born on April 10th
Prafulla Chandra Sen
Indian politician, 3rd Chief Minister of West Bengal
Born
April 10th, 1897 128 years ago
Died
September 25th, 1990 35 years ago — 93 years old
An Indian accountant and politician held the position of the 3rd Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1964 to 1966. Served as a member of the Indian National Congress and played a significant role in the state's political landscape during a transformative period. Focused on economic and educational reforms, aiming to improve the welfare of the population. Actively participated in the planning and implementation of development projects across various sectors, contributing to the governance and administrative practices in the region. After leaving office, continued to influence state politics until later years.
Continue ReadingDolores Huerta
American Labor Activist, United Farm Workers Co-Founder
Born
April 10th, 1930 95 years ago
Co-founded the United Farm Workers alongside Cesar Chavez, advocating for farm labor rights. Played a pivotal role in organizing labor strikes, advocating for better wages and working conditions. Instrumental in the passage of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, granting farmworkers the right to unionize. Worked tirelessly on various social justice issues, including women's rights and immigrant rights.
Continue ReadingBob Bell
Northern Irish engineer and automotive designer
Born
April 10th, 1958 67 years ago
Died
December 8th, 1997 28 years ago — 39 years old
An engineer from Northern Ireland specializing in advanced automotive engineering, contributed significantly to the design and development of successful Formula One cars. Served as the technical director for multiple teams, including the Renault F1 Team, overseeing the design processes that led to championship victories. Played a pivotal role in shaping the performance and reliability of racing vehicles during a competitive era in motorsport.
Continue ReadingOmar Sharif
Egyptian actor in classic films
Born
April 10th, 1932 93 years ago
Died
July 10th, 2015 10 years ago — 83 years old
An acclaimed actor and screenwriter, contributions to cinema spanned several decades, highlighting a range of culturally significant films. Gained international fame through performances in epic films like 'Lawrence of Arabia' and 'Doctor Zhivago'. Notable for presenting a strong presence in both Arabic and English-language films, Sharif's career bridged diverse audiences. Received several awards throughout his career, including the Golden Globe Award for 'Doctor Zhivago'. Established a successful career in bridge as a player and writer, showcasing his intellect and competitive spirit.
Continue ReadingHarry Morgan
American actor in M*A*S*H and Dragnet
Born
April 10th, 1915 110 years ago
Died
December 7th, 2011 14 years ago — 96 years old
An accomplished American actor and director, contributions to both film and television spanned several decades. Gained significant recognition for the role of Colonel Sherman Potter on the television series M*A*S*H, which aired from 1972 to 1983. Earlier work included a prominent role in the series Dragnet, where played Officer Bill Gannon alongside Jack Webb. Directed various TV episodes and films, showcasing skills beyond acting. Continued to perform in various roles until the early 2000s.
Continue ReadingPriit Kasesalu
Computer Programmer, Co-Creator of Skype
Born
April 10th, 1972 53 years ago
Estonian computer programmer contributed to the development of Skype, a telecommunications application that allows users to make voice and video calls over the internet. The platform gained immense popularity and was later acquired by Microsoft in 2011. Kasesalu's expertise in software engineering and programming played a crucial role in the early success and functionality of Skype, making it one of the leading communication tools worldwide. In addition to his work on Skype, engaged in various software development projects and continues to influence the tech industry.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on July 17th
Elaine Stritch
American actress and singer on Broadway
Born
February 2nd, 1925 101 years ago
Died
July 17th, 2014 11 years ago — 89 years old
A celebrated actress and singer, this individual gained prominence in the Broadway theatre scene. Her performances showcased a distinctive blend of talent and personality. Significant roles included appearances in the musicals 'Company' and 'Growing Up', as well as her one-woman show 'Elaine Stritch at Liberty', which highlighted her life and career. In television, a memorable role occurred in the series '30 Rock', where the character Colleen Donaghy became notable. Recognized for a commanding stage presence, contributions spanned multiple decades beginning in the 1940s into the 21st century.
Continue ReadingJuan Manuel Fangio
Race car driver, five-time champion
Born
June 24th, 1911 114 years ago
Died
July 17th, 1995 30 years ago — 84 years old
A race car driver achieved prominence in the 1950s, competing primarily in Formula One. Fangio secured five World Championships, a record that stood for 46 years. His racing career spanned from 1938 to 1958, where he drove for teams such as Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, and Ferrari. Known for exceptional skill and control in high-speed racing, Fangio's legacy rests on his remarkable ability to navigate various circuits and conditions.
Continue ReadingRosalyn Tureck
Pianist and harpsichord player
Born
1914 112 years ago
Died
July 17th, 2003 22 years ago — 89 years old
An American pianist and harpsichord player, contributed significantly to the performance and interpretation of Baroque music. Tureck studied at the Juilliard School and gained recognition for her performances of J.S. Bach's works. Tureck's approach to music emphasized historical performance practices and the expressive capabilities of the keyboard repertoire. She served as a professor at various prestigious institutions and was a sought-after performer internationally, receiving acclaim for both solo and orchestral performances.
Continue ReadingJadwiga
Queen of Poland and Saint
Born
1374 652 years ago
Died
July 17th, 1399 626 years ago — 25 years old
Ascended to the throne of Poland in 1384, ruling as a powerful monarch. Introduced significant legal and educational reforms in the kingdom. Played a crucial role in the union between Poland and Lithuania, which shaped the future of Eastern Europe. Renowned for promoting Christianity and establishing the University of Kraków. Recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1997.
Continue ReadingEvangeline Booth
4th General of The Salvation Army
Born
1865 161 years ago
Died
July 17th, 1950 75 years ago — 85 years old
Served as the 4th General of The Salvation Army from 1934 to 1939. Played a significant role in expanding the organization's outreach and services during her tenure. Worked diligently to improve the living conditions of the poor and marginalized through various programs. Prior to becoming General, held numerous positions within The Salvation Army, including leader of the organization in the United States. Focused on social issues and advocated for the rights of disadvantaged groups.
Continue ReadingPeter III of Russia
Emperor of Russia, reigned briefly in 1762
Born
February 21st, 1728 297 years ago
Died
July 17th, 1762 263 years ago — 34 years old
Became Emperor of Russia in January 1762 after the assassination of Empress Elizabeth. His reign lasted only six months, concluding with his overthrow in a coup d'état led by his wife, Catherine the Great. Peter III's policies favored Prussia, which was unpopular among Russian nobles. Attempts to reform the military and reduce serfdom faced resistance. After his abdication, he was imprisoned and later died under mysterious circumstances. His brief reign marked a significant transition in Russian leadership.
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