Hermann of Wied
German Archbishop and religious reformer
An influential German archbishop, played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. Served as the Archbishop of Cologne from 1515 until his removal in 1546. Strongly supported Martin Luther's theological views and sought to reform the church. His tenure marked a pivotal moment in the Catholic Church's response to Protestantism. Following his expulsion, engaged in efforts to re-establish Catholic control in his territories and became involved in various religious debates.
Served as Archbishop of Cologne
Supported Martin Luther's reformation efforts
Other People Born on January 14th
Ludwig Ritter von Köchel
Composer and botanist with Köchel catalog
Born
January 14th, 1800 225 years ago
Died
June 3rd, 1877 148 years ago — 77 years old
Austrian composer and botanist contributed significantly to both music and botany. Developed the Köchel catalog, a chronological index of the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, which became an essential reference for classical music scholars. Engaged in plant classification and published various scientific papers focused on botany. His efforts in organizing Mozart's compositions helped in preserving and studying them, profoundly influencing the understanding of the composer's oeuvre.
Continue ReadingCălin Popescu-Tăriceanu
Romanian engineer and politician, Prime Minister
Born
January 14th, 1952 73 years ago
An engineer and politician held the position of the 60th Prime Minister of Romania from 2004 to 2008. Served as the president of the Senate of Romania from 2014 to 2019. Played a significant role in Romania's entry into NATO and the European Union. Held various ministerial positions in the Romanian government during his career, influencing national policies and reforms.
Continue ReadingLasse Kjus
Norwegian alpine ski racer champion
Born
January 14th, 1971 54 years ago
A prominent alpine ski racer from Norway, achieved success in the 1990s and early 2000s. Competed in several Winter Olympics and World Championships, earning multiple medals. Exhibited versatility across various alpine skiing disciplines, including downhill and super-G. Retired from competitive skiing and transitioned to a successful career in sports and business.
Continue ReadingErick Aybar
Baseball player, known for MLB career
Born
January 14th, 1984 41 years ago
A professional baseball player with a career spanning over a decade in Major League Baseball (MLB). Primarily played as a shortstop and second baseman. Made his debut in 2004 with the Los Angeles Angels. Spent the majority of his career with the Angels, contributing to the team's success during the 2000s. After leaving the Angels, played for other teams including the Atlanta Braves and the Detroit Tigers. Was part of the Angels' playoff teams and played in the 2009 ALDS. Demonstrated consistent defensive skills and offensive contributions throughout the career.
Continue ReadingSteven Soderbergh
Film director and producer, 'Traffic'
Born
January 14th, 1963 62 years ago
An American director, producer, and screenwriter. Gained prominence in the early 1990s with the film 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape', which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Achieved critical acclaim for the film 'Traffic', which won four Academy Awards, including Best Director. Directed the popular 'Oceans' series, starting with 'Ocean's Eleven' in 2001, which featured an ensemble cast and was commercially successful. Also directed 'Erin Brockovich', which garnered three Academy Awards and solidified strong collaboration with Julia Roberts. Worked on various projects across genres, showcasing versatility in filmmaking.
Continue ReadingNadia Maftouni
Iranian philosopher and educator
Born
January 14th, 1966 59 years ago
A philosopher and educator, contributions focused on the intersection of philosophy and aesthetics, particularly in the context of Iranian culture and philosophy. Engaged with issues related to contemporary philosophy and introduced new perspectives on traditional philosophical themes. Worked in academia, teaching and mentoring students in various philosophical subjects, emphasizing critical thinking and the importance of philosophical inquiry. Participated in numerous conferences and published extensively in philosophical journals, contributing to the discourse surrounding philosophy in Iran and beyond.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on August 15th
Sam Pollock
Canadian businessman and hockey executive
Born
December 25th, 1925 99 years ago
Died
August 15th, 2007 18 years ago — 81 years old
A Canadian businessman served as the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens from 1964 to 1978. Under leadership, the team won five consecutive Stanley Cups from 1969 to 1973. Pollock's strategic decisions in player acquisitions and development contributed to the team's dominance during this period. Recognized for his keen understanding of the game, he was instrumental in building one of the most successful franchises in NHL history. Pollock's achievements solidified a legacy in professional hockey and business management.
Continue ReadingHugo Theorell
Swedish biochemist, Nobel Prize laureate
Born
July 6th, 1903 122 years ago
Died
August 15th, 1982 43 years ago — 79 years old
A biochemist and academic contributed significantly to the understanding of enzyme activity. Conducted pioneering research on the enzyme catalase, demonstrating its role in the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide. Served as a professor at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, influencing a generation of researchers. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1955 for work on enzymes.
Continue ReadingJock Taylor
Scottish motorcycle racer and champion
Born
March 9th, 1954 71 years ago
Died
August 15th, 1982 43 years ago — 28 years old
A motorcycle racer from Scotland, recognized for participation in various road racing events during the 1970s and early 1980s. Competed prominently in the Isle of Man TT races, where significant achievements included impressive finishes in multiple categories. Excelled in the 1976 Season, securing victories in numerous races and capturing attention within the motorsports community. Taylor's skill on the track led to a distinguished reputation, making contributions to motorcycle racing history in Scotland.
Continue ReadingClay Shaw
American politician and judge
Born
April 19th, 1939 86 years ago
Died
August 15th, 1974 51 years ago — 35 years old
Born in 1939, a prominent figure in American politics and the judiciary. Served as a United States Representative for Louisiana's 1st congressional district from 1973 to 1977. Played a role in various legislative efforts during tenure in Congress. Appointed as a judge for the 24th Judicial District Court in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, where oversaw numerous significant cases. Engaged in local governance and legal affairs throughout a lengthy career, impacting many within the community.
Continue ReadingGerd Müller
Football player and Bundesliga legend
Born
November 3rd, 1945 80 years ago
Died
August 15th, 2021 4 years ago — 75 years old
Born in 1945, this football player gained recognition as one of the greatest strikers in the history of the sport. He played primarily for Bayern Munich, where he became the club's all-time leading scorer. As a member of the West Germany national team, he contributed to the team winning the 1974 FIFA World Cup and secured the Golden Boot in the 1970 World Cup. His prolific goal-scoring earned numerous accolades and solidified a legendary status in football.
Continue ReadingKateryna Yushchenko
Ukrainian computer scientist and academic
Born
December 8th, 1919 106 years ago
Died
August 15th, 2001 24 years ago — 81 years old
Contributed significantly to the field of computer science as an academic and researcher. Focused on algorithms, programming languages, and computational theory. Participated in numerous projects that advanced computer technology in Ukraine. Played a key role in developing educational programs for future computer scientists. Received recognition for contributions to scientific research and education in the discipline.
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