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
Charlie Gehringer
Baseball player and manager
Born
May 11th, 1903 122 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 ReadingEdsger W. Dijkstra
Computer Scientist; developed Dijkstra's algorithm
Born
May 11th, 1930 95 years ago
Died
August 6th, 2002 23 years ago — 72 years old
A prominent figure in computer science, contributed significantly to algorithms and programming methodologies. Developed Dijkstra's algorithm for shortest paths in graphs, which is essential in networking and routing. Advocated for structured programming through various writings. Worked at several academic institutions, including the University of Texas at Austin and Eindhoven University of Technology. Received the Turing Award in 1972 for contributions to programming languages and algorithms.
Continue ReadingJeremy Paxman
Journalist and author, host of Newsnight
Born
May 11th, 1950 75 years ago
A British journalist and author, recognized for work on the BBC current affairs program Newsnight, where the tenure spanned two decades. Contributed to the portrayal of political events and historical documentaries through literature and broadcasting. Engaged viewers with incisive interviewing techniques and deep political analysis. Authored several books, including historical works and explorations of British culture.
Continue ReadingPhil Silvers
American actor and comedian in television
Born
May 11th, 1911 114 years ago
Died
November 1st, 1985 40 years ago — 74 years old
An American actor and comedian gained prominence through performance in the television series 'The Phil Silvers Show,' which aired from 1955 to 1959. This series showcased a con artist in the U.S. Army and earned wide acclaim for its humor and writing. In addition to television, this actor appeared in numerous films, including 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' and 'The Horse's Mouth.' His work was characterized by a quick wit and a distinctive style that influenced subsequent generations of comedians.
Continue ReadingJohann Friedrich Blumenbach
Physician and anthropologist
Born
May 11th, 1752 273 years ago
Died
January 22nd, 1840 186 years ago — 87 years old
A prominent German physician, physiologist, and anthropologist. Blumenbach significantly contributed to the fields of anthropology and physiology in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He established a classification system that categorized human races based on skull shape, which played a foundational role in biological anthropology. A key figure in the development of comparative anatomy, he studied various physical characteristics of human populations. His work on the variation of human skulls led to the understanding of racial diversity and human classification. Blumenbach also authored several influential texts that addressed topics in medicine and biology, alongside his contributions to the understanding of human variation and species.
Continue ReadingRobert E. Gross
Businessman and aviation pioneer
Born
May 11th, 1897 128 years ago
Died
September 3rd, 1961 64 years ago — 64 years old
Entered the aviation industry as a businessman and played a significant role in the development of several important companies. Served as the president of North American Aviation, which became a prominent aerospace manufacturer. Instrumental in the production of military and commercial aircraft during World War II and the post-war era. Contributed to advancements in aerospace technology and helped shape the landscape of modern aviation.
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 ReadingChas Hodges
Musician and singer with Chas & Dave
Born
1943 83 years ago
Died
September 22nd, 2018 7 years ago — 75 years old
English musician and singer gained recognition as part of the duo Chas & Dave, which formed in the 1970s. The group specialized in a unique blend of rock and pub sing-along music, often incorporating elements of British culture into their songs. Alongside a successful music career, the duo contributed to the British music scene with their distinctive style and humor. Chas Hodges also played piano and contributed to songwriting, enhancing the duo's appeal with catchy tunes and memorable lyrics. The duo released several albums, with their hit 'Gertcha' becoming one of their signature songs, and gained a loyal fan base over the decades.
Continue ReadingNathan Hale
American soldier and spy
Born
June 6th, 1755 270 years ago
Died
September 22nd, 1776 249 years ago — 21 years old
Served as a soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Participated in the Siege of Boston and later became a spy for General George Washington. Captured by British forces while on a mission in New York City, Hale was executed for espionage. His famous last words, 'I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country,' have become emblematic of American patriotism.
Continue ReadingHilary Mantel
Author of 'Wolf Hall' series
Born
July 6th, 1952 73 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 ReadingHans E. Wallman
Film director and composer from Sweden
Born
1936 90 years ago
Died
September 22nd, 2014 11 years ago — 78 years old
Was a director, producer, and composer in the Swedish film industry. Directed several films that gained attention both nationally and internationally. Worked on the production of various television shows and theatrical productions. Held a reputation for contributions to music in film, demonstrating a blend of cinematic composition and narrative storytelling. Left a legacy through impactful work in Swedish cinema and theater.
Continue ReadingEdna Molewa
South African politician and environmentalist
Born
1957 69 years ago
Died
September 22nd, 2018 7 years ago — 61 years old
Served as South African Minister of Environmental Affairs from 2014 to 2018. Contributed to environmental policy development and played a significant role in sustainable development initiatives. Prioritized wildlife conservation and climate change issues during tenure. Was also active in provincial politics, particularly in the North West province.
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