Gottfried Finger
Czech-German viol player and composer
Born
1660
366 years ago
Died
Category
Artists & Creatives
Country
Czech Republic
Links & References
Born in the late 17th century, a viol player and composer who contributed significantly to the music of the Baroque period. Worked in various musical capacities, including as a composer and an instrumentalist. Held positions in several European cities, creating a body of work that included operas, chamber music, and orchestral compositions. Finger's music was performed in prominent venues and was appreciated for its melodic inventiveness and structural complexity. Contributed to the development of the viol repertoire, influencing future composers.
Composed operas such as 'Pomona'
Published collections of instrumental music
Other People Who Died on August 31st
Lionel Hampton
Vibraphone player and bandleader
Born
April 20th, 1908 117 years ago
Died
August 31st, 2002 23 years ago — 94 years old
An American vibraphone player, pianist, bandleader, and actor, achieved prominence in the jazz genre from the 1930s onward. Gained recognition as a member of the Benny Goodman Quartet, contributing to the popularization of the vibraphone in jazz music. Led his own band and became a pivotal figure in the big band era. Achieved significant acclaim for performances that bridged jazz and popular music, also participated in television and film as an entertainer.
Continue ReadingDavid Frost
Journalist and game show host
Born
April 7th, 1939 86 years ago
Died
August 31st, 2013 12 years ago — 74 years old
An English journalist and television host, primarily recognized for interviewing prominent political figures and hosting influential programs. Frost gained significant attention for a series of interviews with former President Richard Nixon, providing insight into Watergate's controversies. Additionally, hosted the British television quiz show 'Auction Party' and 'Frost on Sunday' which combined news and entertainment. Throughout a career spanning several decades, influenced television journalism and political interviews in the UK.
Continue ReadingStefan Banach
Mathematician and founder of functional analysis
Born
March 30th, 1892 133 years ago
Died
August 31st, 1945 80 years ago — 53 years old
A prominent Polish mathematician, contributed significantly to the field of functional analysis. Actively participated in the development of topology and measure theory. Co-founded the Lwów School of Mathematics, which fostered many notable mathematicians. Developed the Banach space theory, which has applications across various branches of mathematics including differential equations and optimization. His work laid foundational concepts that influenced modern mathematics and mathematical analysis.
Continue ReadingAndrei Zhdanov
Soviet politician and cultural figure
Born
February 26th, 1896 129 years ago
Died
August 31st, 1948 77 years ago — 52 years old
Served as a prominent Soviet politician and civil servant. Played a significant role in the cultural policies of the Soviet Union during the post-World War II period. Oversaw the implementation of Zhdanovism, a doctrine that emphasized socialist realism in literature and arts. Held the post of Leningrad Party Secretary and contributed to the rebuilding of the city after the war. Influenced various cultural institutions and was instrumental in promoting the Communist Party's agenda through literature and the arts.
Continue ReadingAndranik
Armenian general and military leader
Born
February 25th, 1865 160 years ago
Died
August 31st, 1927 98 years ago — 62 years old
Born in 1865, Andranik played a significant role in the Armenian national liberation movement during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He became a general in the Armenian Revolutionary Army and was a key figure in the struggle for Armenian rights against Ottoman rule. He led various military operations to defend Armenian communities and contributed to the establishment of the First Republic of Armenia in 1918. His leadership helped in organizing defense against external threats and shaping the armed forces of the new republic. After the fall of the First Republic, he continued to fight for Armenian independence and was active in various military campaigns until his death.
Continue ReadingDeLancey W. Gill
American painter and illustrator
Born
July 1st, 1859 166 years ago
Died
August 31st, 1940 85 years ago — 81 years old
Born in 1859, this individual was an American painter noted for illustrations that focused on Western American themes. He participated in the first exhibition at the Panama Pacific International Exposition in 1915 and gained recognition for his contributions to American art. His style often reflected the landscapes and cultures of the American West, providing depictions that resonated with the public's fascination with frontier life.
Continue Reading