Irving Berlin
Pianist and composer of 'White Christmas'
Born in Belarus in 1888, a pianist and composer emigrated to the United States. Created a significant body of work in American music, writing songs that shaped the musical landscape. Founded the musical theatre genre significant for its melodies and lyrics. Had a long career that included significant contributions to Broadway as well as popular music. Berlin's songs captured the essence of American life and culture, with several becoming standards.
Composed 'White Christmas'
Wrote 'God Bless America'
Created the musical 'Annie Get Your Gun'
Other People Born on May 11th
Lise de Baissac
SOE agent during World War II
Born
May 11th, 1905 121 years ago
Died
March 29th, 2004 22 years ago — 98 years old
Born in Mauritius, worked as a secret agent for the Special Operations Executive during World War II. Entered occupied France in 1943, where she conducted espionage and sabotage missions. Took part in various operations to disrupt German forces and support the Resistance. Played a role in coordinating the intelligence of the Allies, contributing to the overall war effort. After the war, shifted focus to humanitarian efforts.
Continue ReadingBeau Ryan
Rugby league player and television host
Born
May 11th, 1985 41 years ago
Played professional rugby league for the Wests Tigers and Cronulla Sharks. Transitioned to television, becoming a prominent television host. Gained recognition for co-hosting 'The Footy Show', showcasing rugby league culture and entertainment. In addition, hosted 'Beau's Kitchen', which combined personal anecdotes with cooking segments.
Continue ReadingMatt Leinart
American football quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner
Born
May 11th, 1983 43 years ago
Played college football at the University of Southern California, leading the team to two national championships in 2003 and 2004. Received the Heisman Trophy in 2004, recognizing him as the outstanding player in college football. Selected 10th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, where he played for several seasons. Also played for the Houston Texans and a stint with the Buffalo Bills. After retiring from professional football, transitioned into media and sports commentary.
Continue ReadingRose Ausländer
Ukrainian-German poet and author
Born
May 11th, 1901 125 years ago
Died
January 3rd, 1988 38 years ago — 86 years old
Born in 1901 in Ukraine, this poet faced significant challenges during her life, including the impact of war and displacement. Relocating to Germany in the 1920s, she became a prominent figure in the literary scene. Her poetry often dealt with themes of exile, identity, and the human condition. Her works were influenced by her experiences during World War II and the Holocaust. After the war, she returned to Germany, where she continued to write and publish, gaining recognition in German literature until her death in 1988.
Continue ReadingCharlie Gehringer
Baseball player and manager
Born
May 11th, 1903 123 years ago
Died
January 21st, 1993 33 years ago — 89 years old
An American baseball player and manager, this individual played for the Detroit Tigers from 1924 to 1942. Recognized as a skilled second baseman, he was a key member of the Tigers team that won the World Series in 1945. In addition to his playing career, he served as the team's manager in the mid-1950s. His contributions to baseball earned him induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1949. Gehringer's proficiency at the plate led to a career batting average of .320 and he established several records during his tenure.
Continue ReadingNene Macdonald
Rugby league player for Papua New Guinea
Born
May 11th, 1994 32 years ago
A rugby league player from Papua New Guinea, made a mark in the National Rugby League (NRL) and represented the national team. Played as a winger or center and showcased skills in various clubs within the NRL. Participated in international competitions, contributing to Papua New Guinea's representation on the world stage.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on September 22nd
Vincenzo Viviani
Mathematician and physicist; barometer work
Born
April 5th, 1622 404 years ago
Died
September 22nd, 1703 322 years ago — 81 years old
Born in 1622, contributions to mathematics and physics date back to the 17th century. Worked with Galileo and documented his discoveries. Conducted experiments with pendulums and studied the laws of motion. Made significant advancements in understanding the principles of hydrostatics and mechanics. Published several works, including 'Ragionamento dell'uso di diverse sorte di strumenti per misurare il peso e la grandezza delle cose'. His observations and contributions laid groundwork for future scientific inquiries.
Continue ReadingFrederick Soddy
Chemist and Nobel Prize laureate
Born
September 2nd, 1877 148 years ago
Died
September 22nd, 1956 69 years ago — 79 years old
A chemist and academic, contributions included pioneering work in radiochemistry and the study of isotopes. Received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1921 for insights into the structure of atomic nuclei and the nature of radioactive decay. Worked extensively on the concept of isotopes and their applications in various scientific fields. Held academic positions at several institutions, promoting research in physical chemistry.
Continue ReadingFredric Jameson
Cultural critic and Marxist theorist
Born
April 14th, 1934 92 years ago
Died
September 22nd, 2024 1 years ago — 90 years old
Contributions focused on cultural theory, postmodernism, and Marxism. Authored influential works including 'Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism' and 'The Political Unconscious'. Served as a professor and wrote extensively on issues related to ideology and capitalism in contemporary culture.
Continue ReadingDavid H. Hubel
Neurophysiologist; Nobel Prize in Physiology
Born
February 27th, 1926 100 years ago
Died
September 22nd, 2013 12 years ago — 87 years old
Contributions included groundbreaking research in the field of visual processing. Studied the visual cortex and its role in the perception of stimuli. Collaborated with Torsten Wiesel, leading to significant insights in how visual information is processed in the brain. Received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1981 for discoveries concerning information processing in the visual system. Authored numerous influential publications that shaped the field of neuroscience.
Continue ReadingHilary Mantel
Author of 'Wolf Hall' series
Born
July 6th, 1952 74 years ago
Died
September 22nd, 2022 3 years ago — 70 years old
An English author and critic, gained prominence through historical novels. The 'Wolf Hall' trilogy, which includes 'Wolf Hall', 'Bring Up the Bodies', and 'The Mirror and the Light', portrayed the life of Thomas Cromwell in the Tudor court. Received numerous awards for literary work, including the Booker Prize twice, for 'Wolf Hall' in 2009 and 'Bring Up the Bodies' in 2012. Also published memoirs and essays, exploring various subjects.
Continue ReadingElliott Lewis
Australian politician, 19th Premier of Tasmania
Born
October 27th, 1858 167 years ago
Died
September 22nd, 1935 90 years ago — 76 years old
Served as the 19th Premier of Tasmania from 1914 to 1916. Held various governmental roles prior to premiership. Was a member of the Legislative Council from 1909 until 1945, impacting legislative processes. Participated in the development of public policies during tenure, focusing on social and economic issues in Tasmania.
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