Jeanne Sauvé
Governor General of Canada
A prominent Canadian journalist and politician, served as the 23rd Governor General of Canada from 1984 to 1990. Prior to that role, had a notable career in journalism with Radio-Canada and later entered politics. Elected as the first female Speaker of the House of Commons in 1970, contributed significantly to Canadian political discourse. Advocated for various social issues throughout her career.
Served as the first female Governor General of Canada
Elected as the first female Speaker of the House of Commons
Other People Born on April 26th
Delon Wright
Professional Basketball Player
Born
April 26th, 1992 33 years ago
A professional basketball player, primarily played as a point guard in the NBA. Drafted by the Toronto Raptors in the 2015 NBA Draft. Played for several teams including the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, and Washington Wizards. Known for contributions to team defense and facilitating plays.
Continue ReadingJohn Isner
American tennis player and Wimbledon record holder
Born
April 26th, 1985 40 years ago
Professional tennis career spanned over a decade. Achieved fame through significant performances in major tournaments. Won the 2018 Atlanta Open, marking his fourth title at this event. Notable for participation in the longest match in tennis history at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships, lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes. Competed for the United States in the Davis Cup, contributing to the team's success.
Continue ReadingYuliya Zaripova
Russian middle-distance runner, Olympic medalist
Born
April 26th, 1986 39 years ago
Competed in middle-distance running events, particularly the 3000 meters steeplechase. Achieved notable success during her career, including participation in several international championships. Secured a gold medal at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics held in Daegu, South Korea. Also competed in the 2012 London Olympics, earning a bronze medal in the steeplechase event.
Continue ReadingJoey Wendle
Baseball player, 2019 Gold Glove winner
Born
April 26th, 1990 35 years ago
A professional baseball player, primarily played as an infielder. Career began with the Oakland Athletics before moving to the Tampa Bay Rays. Achieved success in the 2019 season, showcasing defensive skills that earned a Gold Glove Award. Contributed consistently in multiple seasons with a focus on batting average and versatility on the field.
Continue ReadingOdysseas Vlachodimos
Footballer with Greek national team
Born
April 26th, 1994 31 years ago
Born in 1994, a professional footballer plays as a goalkeeper. Began his career with AEK Athens and moved to Germany to join VfB Stuttgart. Joined Benfica in 2018 and became the first-choice goalkeeper. Represented the Greek national team, making significant contributions in international matches.
Continue ReadingPeter Handscomb
Australian cricketer and Test player
Born
April 26th, 1991 34 years ago
Debuted for the Australian national cricket team in 2016. Played primarily as a middle-order batsman. Part of the team during the 2017-2018 Ashes series, contributing to the team's performance against England. Represented various domestic teams including Victoria and the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League. Known for playing pivotal innings in both Test and limited-overs formats.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on January 26th
Gérard de Nerval
French poet and translator of Les Filles du Feu
Born
May 22nd, 1808 217 years ago
Died
January 26th, 1855 171 years ago — 46 years old
A prominent figure in 19th-century French literature, contributed significantly to the Symbolist movement. Wrote several notable works, with 'Les Filles du Feu' being among the most recognized. His poetry often blended dream-like imagery with vibrant emotion, reflecting the complexities of the human experience. Nerval also translated works from German literature, bringing attention to renowned writers like Goethe. His unique style influenced many subsequent authors and poets in the French literary tradition.
Continue ReadingEdward Jenner
Physician, developer of smallpox vaccine
Born
May 17th, 1749 276 years ago
Died
January 26th, 1823 203 years ago — 73 years old
A pioneering physician and microbiologist, contributed significantly to the field of immunology. Developed the first successful smallpox vaccine in 1796, which laid the foundation for modern vaccination techniques. His work enabled the global eradication of smallpox, a disease that had caused countless deaths throughout history. The procedure used cowpox material to create immunity against smallpox. His findings prompted further research into the immune system and vaccinations.
Continue ReadingFrank Howard
American football player and coach
Born
August 8th, 1936 89 years ago
Died
January 26th, 1996 30 years ago — 59 years old
Played as an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins. Coached college football teams including the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles. Achieved multiple bowl appearances and developed several players who went on to successful professional careers.
Continue ReadingThomas Lovell Beddoes
Poet and playwright from England
Born
June 30th, 1803 222 years ago
Died
January 26th, 1849 177 years ago — 45 years old
Born in 1803, this individual was a poet, playwright, and physician. Significant works include the play 'The Bride of Death' and poetry collections that explored themes of death and the human condition. The writings often reflected Romantic influences and a fascination with the macabre. Contributions to literature spanned multiple genres, combining creative writing with medical knowledge. Beddoes' writings, although not widely recognized during lifetime, gained interest posthumously and contributed to the understanding of emotional and intellectual struggles of the time. Death occurred in 1849.
Continue ReadingLouis Auchincloss
Novelist and essayist with literary acclaim
Born
September 27th, 1917 108 years ago
Died
January 26th, 2010 16 years ago — 92 years old
A prolific American novelist and essayist, contributions spanned numerous novels and essays reflecting on the American upper class. Auchincloss published over 40 works, exploring themes of wealth, society, and morality. Notable for creating compelling narratives that depict the complexities of life among the elite, his writing often included autobiographical elements and social commentary. His literary career began in the mid-20th century and continued for several decades, leading to widespread recognition within literary circles. Auchincloss gained further prominence with his works receiving critical acclaim and various accolades.
Continue ReadingA. E. van Vogt
Science fiction author and novelist
Born
April 26th, 1912 113 years ago
Died
January 26th, 2000 26 years ago — 87 years old
An influential science fiction author, contributed significantly to the genre during the mid-20th century. Published a number of notable works, including the novel 'Slan', which explored themes of evolution and alienation. Other popular works include 'The World of Null-A' and 'The Voyage of the Space Beagle', showcasing imaginative narratives and complex characters. Received the Hugo Award for Best Novel for 'The Proxy Intelligence' in 1972 and was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 1996. Worked as an editor and wrote stories in various anthologies, impacting the development of science fiction literature.
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