Johann Christoph Gottsched

German author and literary critic

Johann Christoph Gottsched - German author and literary critic
Born

February 2nd, 1700
325 years ago

Died

December 12th, 1766
258 years ago — 66 years old

Category

Artists & Creatives

Country

Germany

Links & References

A prominent figure in 18th-century German literature, engaged in literary criticism and drama. Played a significant role in the development of German theatrical forms and the promotion of Enlightenment ideals. Contributed to the establishment of a literary language that emphasized clarity and reason. His advocacy for the integration of French classical drama into German literature influenced the direction of theatrical writing in the region. Served as a professor and established a literary society that helped cultivate new literary talents.

Authored 'Der Sterbende Cato'

Published 'Allgemeine Deutsche Bibliothek'

Other People Born on February 2nd

Pope Benedict XIII

Pope and religious leader
Born
February 2nd, 1650 375 years ago
Died
February 21st, 1730 295 years ago — 80 years old

Elected as pope in 1724, led the Roman Catholic Church during a time of significant political and religious challenges. Contributed to the liturgical reforms and was involved in the establishment of the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide, focusing on missionary activities. Known for his interactions with European monarchs and influence on ecclesiastical matters. His papacy was marked by efforts to strengthen church authority and response to emerging theological disputes.

Continue Reading

John of Leiden

Anabaptist leader and revolutionary figure
Born
February 2nd, 1509 516 years ago
Died
January 22nd, 1536 489 years ago — 26 years old

A prominent Anabaptist leader emerged during the Protestant Reformation in the Dutch city of Leiden. Claimed leadership of a radical faction, advocating for communal living and the separation of church and state. In 1534, led the seizure of the city of Munster, declaring it a New Jerusalem. Established a theocratic government, implementing a strict interpretation of biblical principles. His regime ended in 1535, leading to his capture and subsequent execution in 1536.

Continue Reading

Brent Spiner

Actor and singer, Data from Star Trek
Born
February 2nd, 1949 76 years ago

An American actor and singer, gained widespread recognition for portraying the character Data in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, which aired from 1987 to 1994. Spiner also reprised this role in subsequent Star Trek films, including Star Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Nemesis. In addition to acting, he released musical albums, showcasing his vocal talents. His performances earned him a devoted fan base and critical acclaim.

Continue Reading

Graham Nash

Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Born
February 2nd, 1942 83 years ago

This English-American musician gained prominence as a member of the rock band Crosby, Stills & Nash, which formed in 1968. The group achieved commercial success with albums such as "Crosby, Stills & Nash" and "Deja Vu." Nash also contributed significantly to the band The Hollies before forming his later partnerships. As a solo artist, he released several albums and was active in various music projects throughout the years, advocating for social and political causes.

Continue Reading

Vangelis Alexandris

Basketball player and coach in Greece
Born
February 2nd, 1951 74 years ago

Played professional basketball in Greece and served as a coach for various teams in the Greek leagues. His coaching career included stints with notable clubs, leading them to significant successes in domestic competitions. Contributed to the development of basketball in Greece through coaching and mentorship.

Continue Reading

Cornelius Lanczos

Mathematician and physicist specializing in tensor analysis
Born
February 2nd, 1893 132 years ago
Died
June 25th, 1974 50 years ago — 81 years old

A mathematician and physicist, contributions included advanced work in numerical analysis and the development of various mathematical techniques. Played a key role in the development of the Lanczos algorithm, which is widely used in computational mathematics. Contributions to theoretical physics encompassed developments in relativity and quantum mechanics. Worked in several prestigious institutions during a career that spanned multiple decades, influencing the fields of mathematics and physics significantly.

Continue Reading

Other People Who Died on December 12th

Henrietta Swan Leavitt

American astronomer studying Cepheid variables
Born
July 4th, 1868 156 years ago
Died
December 12th, 1921 103 years ago — 53 years old

An American astronomer and academic contributed significantly to the field of astronomy through research on variable stars, specifically Cepheid variables. Developed a method to determine distances to far-off galaxies using the relationship between a Cepheid's luminosity and its pulsation period. This work laid the foundation for later discoveries regarding the expansion of the universe. Worked at the Harvard College Observatory, where many female astronomers operated under the title of 'computers', analyzing star data and making crucial astronomical advancements during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Continue Reading

Evelyn S. Lieberman

White House Deputy Chief of Staff
Born
1944 81 years ago
Died
December 12th, 2015 9 years ago — 71 years old

Served as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Clinton administration, overseeing operations and communications. Held positions within the Democratic National Committee, contributing to campaign strategies. Served as a director for the National Park Service, focusing on policy and administration.

Continue Reading

Evgenii Landis

Mathematician and theorist in topology
Born
October 6th, 1921 103 years ago
Died
December 12th, 1997 27 years ago — 76 years old

Born in Ukraine, a mathematician specialized in topology and theoretical mathematics. Contributed significantly to the fields of differential topology and topology as a whole. Established several groundbreaking theorems and concepts that influenced mathematical research. Worked extensively in various academic institutions and authored numerous papers that became reference points in mathematical literature.

Continue Reading

Tallulah Bankhead

American actress and stage performer
Born
January 31st, 1902 123 years ago
Died
December 12th, 1968 56 years ago — 66 years old

Born in 1902, this American actress gained fame for her robust personality and undeniable talent on stage and screen. A prominent figure during the 1920s and 1930s, she achieved critical acclaim for her performances in various theatrical productions, especially in the Broadway play 'The Little Foxes.' Transitioning to film, she starred in notable movies such as 'Lifeboat' directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Her career spanned several decades, marked by her unique voice and captivating presence. Additionally, she became known for her witty and often controversial remarks, establishing a distinct persona both on and off the stage.

Continue Reading

John Sparrow David Thompson

4th Prime Minister of Canada
Born
November 10th, 1845 179 years ago
Died
December 12th, 1894 130 years ago — 49 years old

A prominent Canadian lawyer and politician, held the position of 4th Prime Minister from 1892 until 1894. Before assuming the role of Prime Minister, served as the Attorney General of Nova Scotia and as a judge on the Nova Scotia Supreme Court. Thompson was influential in the creation of the Canadian Highway Act, facilitating road construction across Canada. His leadership also involved addressing issues related to immigration and the expansion of railroads. Died unexpectedly in office.

Continue Reading

John le Carré

Spy novelist and author of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Born
October 19th, 1931 93 years ago
Died
December 12th, 2020 4 years ago — 89 years old

An English author and former intelligence officer, this individual gained recognition for writing espionage novels that explore the complexities of the Cold War. The author's career spanned several decades, with a focus on realism and moral ambiguity in spy fiction. The most acclaimed work, 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy', illustrated the intricacies of intelligence work and the personal dilemmas faced by agents. This individual’s writing often drew from personal experiences in intelligence services, providing authenticity and depth to the narratives. The body of work includes several other notable novels, contributing significantly to the genre of spy literature and earning critical acclaim.

Continue Reading