Jacob Fichman
Romanian-Israeli poet and critic
Born in Romania, a significant figure in Hebrew literature. Primarily active during the early 20th century, focused on poetry and literary criticism. Moved to Palestine in 1924 and contributed to the cultural scene. Engaged in promoting Hebrew poetry, playing a crucial role in the literary community. Worked as an editor and published various articles and essays on literature, emphasizing the importance of Hebrew in the literary world.
Published influential poetry collections
Served as a literary critic in major publications
Other People Born on November 25th
Catherine Cornaro
Queen of Cyprus with noble lineage
Born
November 25th, 1454 571 years ago
Died
July 10th, 1510 515 years ago — 55 years old
Born into Venetian nobility, served as the last Queen of Cyprus from 1474 until her abdication in 1489. Married to King James II, presided over a tumultuous period marked by political intrigue and conflict. After the death of her husband, ruled alone, navigating the complex relations between Venice and the Ottoman Empire. Abdicated the throne in favor of Venice, resulting in Cyprus becoming a Venetian colony.
Continue ReadingPaul Desmond
Saxophonist and composer of 'Take Five'
Born
November 25th, 1924 101 years ago
Died
1977 48 years ago — 53 years old
An influential American saxophonist and composer, a key figure in the cool jazz movement. Played alto saxophone and gained fame as a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. Composed the iconic jazz piece 'Take Five', which became a massive hit and remains a jazz standard. Contributed to the quartet's innovative approach to rhythm and harmony, shaping the sound of jazz in the 1950s and 1960s. Collaborated with various artists, showcasing a unique blend of lyrical style and improvisation throughout a successful music career.
Continue ReadingJohn Flynn
Minister and founder of Flying Doctor Service
Born
November 25th, 1880 145 years ago
Died
1951 74 years ago — 71 years old
An Australian minister and pilot, made significant contributions to remote healthcare in Australia. Established the Royal Flying Doctor Service in 1928, which provided medical care to those in isolated areas. Advocated for improved medical services in rural regions, integrating aviation into healthcare delivery. His efforts laid the foundation for modern emergency medical services in Australia.
Continue ReadingShelagh Fraser
English actress in 'The Innocents'
Born
November 25th, 1920 105 years ago
Died
August 29th, 2000 25 years ago — 79 years old
An English actress, celebrated for significant roles in film and television, particularly her performance in the 1961 film 'The Innocents' based on Henry James's novella 'The Turn of the Screw'. Work spanned several decades with appearances in various stage, television, and film productions. Fraser gained recognition for her portrayals in popular television series including 'Doctor Who' and 'The Avengers'. In addition to her work onscreen, Fraser contributed to British theatre.
Continue ReadingPrincess Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Royalty and Grand Duchess of Hesse
Born
November 25th, 1876 149 years ago
Died
1936 89 years ago — 60 years old
Born into a prominent royal family, one of the most significant roles involved serving as the Grand Duchess of Hesse. Engaged in charitable work, focused on women's welfare and education. Had familial ties to various European royal houses, which influenced alliances and relationships during her lifetime. Spent much of life in Germany and Russia, navigating the complexities of royal duties and personal challenges amidst political changes in Europe.
Continue ReadingTalaat Harb
Egyptian economist, founder of Banque Misr
Born
November 25th, 1867 158 years ago
Died
1941 84 years ago — 74 years old
An influential economist who established the first Egyptian commercial bank, which played a critical role in promoting local industry and financial independence. Advocated for the importance of national capital and contributed significantly to the Egyptian banking sector. Laid the groundwork for the establishment of numerous financial institutions that supported economic development in Egypt. Engaged in various initiatives that aimed to foster local entrepreneurship and improve the socio-economic conditions in the region.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on May 18th
Jacque Fresco
Engineer and futurist, The Venus Project
Born
March 13th, 1916 109 years ago
Died
May 18th, 2017 8 years ago — 101 years old
An engineer and social inventor focused on designing sustainable cities and a resource-based economy. Developed The Venus Project, which presents a vision for a potential sustainable future through innovative technology and urban planning concepts. Advocated for the redesign of society based on rationality, efficiency, and sustainability. Worked towards raising awareness about social issues and the potential for human advancement through integrative engineering solutions.
Continue ReadingŌnishiki Daigorō
Sumo wrestler, 28th Yokozuna
Born
1883 142 years ago
Died
May 18th, 1943 82 years ago — 60 years old
Achieved the rank of Yokozuna, the highest title in sumo wrestling. Competed during the early 20th century and became notable for his powerful style and technique in the sport. Set multiple records in tournaments and was a prominent figure within the sumo community. Retired in 1923 but remained influential in sumo until death in 1943.
Continue ReadingGustav Mahler
Composer and conductor of symphonies
Born
July 7th, 1860 165 years ago
Died
May 18th, 1911 114 years ago — 50 years old
Born in 1860, significant contributions to symphonic and vocal music occurred. Served as a conductor at the Vienna State Opera and the New York Philharmonic. Composed ten symphonies, renowned for their emotional depth and innovative orchestration. The Symphony No. 2, also known as the 'Resurrection Symphony,' and the Symphony No. 8, known as the 'Symphony of a Thousand,' are particularly noted works. Mahler's compositional style merged late-Romantic traditions with innovative techniques, influencing future generations of composers.
Continue ReadingHal Chase
Baseball player and manager
Born
February 13th, 1883 142 years ago
Died
May 18th, 1947 78 years ago — 64 years old
Played as a first baseman for teams including the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees. Managed the New York Yankees and the Newark Bears, contributing to the development of the teams. Involved in a major gambling scandal that influenced the game's integrity and rules. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, recognizing professional contributions to baseball.
Continue ReadingHalldór Ásgrímsson
Icelandic politician and Prime Minister
Born
September 8th, 1947 78 years ago
Died
May 18th, 2015 10 years ago — 67 years old
Served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Iceland from 2004 to 2006. Led the Progressive Party and was a significant figure in Icelandic politics. Held various ministerial positions including Minister of Fisheries and Minister of Transport and Communications. Focused on economic development and international relations during tenure. Contributed to shaping Iceland's policy on fisheries and the economy.
Continue ReadingWayne Allwine
Voice actor, voice of Mickey Mouse
Born
1947 78 years ago
Died
May 18th, 2009 16 years ago — 62 years old
A voice actor and sound effects editor, well recognized for voicing the character Mickey Mouse from 1977 until 2009. Played a significant role in various Disney projects, contributing to animated films and theme parks. Worked extensively in sound design and Foley artistry, applying expertise in creating realistic audio for film. Allwine's work became synonymous with the beloved character, with performances spanning decades.
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