Johann Voldemar Jannsen
Estonian journalist and poet
Born in 1819, this individual contributed significantly to Estonian literature and journalism. He played a key role in the promotion of the Estonian language through poetry and writing. As the founder of the first Estonian-language newspaper, he was instrumental in the literary movements of the 19th century, championing the rights and cultural identity of the Estonian people. His works often reflected national themes and were pivotal during a time of growing national consciousness in Estonia.
Founded the first Estonian-language newspaper
Authored numerous poems celebrating Estonian culture
Other People Born on May 16th
Kenji Mizoguchi
Japanese film director and screenwriter
Born
May 16th, 1898 127 years ago
Died
August 24th, 1956 69 years ago — 58 years old
A prominent director and screenwriter in Japanese cinema. Pioneered the vertical narrative style in film with a focus on women's struggles in society. Established a significant body of work during the 1940s and 1950s. Influenced international cinema with unique storytelling and visual compositions. His films often explored themes of suffering and social issues, particularly those affecting women in Japan. Received critical acclaim, including awards at major film festivals.
Continue ReadingYvonne Craig
Ballet dancer and actress in TV series
Born
May 16th, 1937 88 years ago
Died
August 17th, 2015 10 years ago — 78 years old
Initiated a career as a ballet dancer, performing with prestigious ballet companies. Transitioned to acting and gained recognition for roles in television, particularly as Batgirl in the series 'Batman' during the 1960s. Appeared in films such as 'The Gene Krupa Story' and 'Mars Needs Women'. Also contributed to the arts as a choreographer for various productions.
Continue ReadingMerton Miller
Economist, Nobel Prize laureate
Born
May 16th, 1923 102 years ago
Died
2000 26 years ago — 77 years old
An economist and academic contributed significantly to the field of finance and economics. Developed the capital asset pricing model alongside other crucial theories. Received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 1990 for contributions to the understanding of financial markets and derivatives. Had a long academic career, including teaching at the University of Chicago, influencing generations of economists and practitioners in financial theory.
Continue ReadingPafnuty Chebyshev
Mathematician and statistician, Chebyshev polynomials
Born
May 16th, 1821 204 years ago
Died
December 8th, 1894 131 years ago — 73 years old
A Russian mathematician and statistician, contributed significantly to number theory, approximation theory, and probability. Developed Chebyshev polynomials and established the foundation for Chebyshev's inequality in statistics. Authored several influential works and served as a professor at the University of St. Petersburg, where he influenced generations of mathematicians. The Chebyshev graph and Chebyshev approximation remain pivotal concepts in analysis and computational mathematics.
Continue ReadingNílton Santos
Brazilian footballer, 1958 World Cup winner
Born
May 16th, 1925 100 years ago
Died
November 27th, 2013 12 years ago — 88 years old
A renowned Brazilian footballer, played as a left-back. Contributed significantly to the Brazilian national team, participating in the 1954 and 1958 World Cups. Instrumental in Brazil's victory in the 1958 World Cup held in Sweden. Spent the majority of his club career at Botafogo, becoming a key player and an emblematic figure of the team. His style and skills on the pitch influenced the modern full-back role in football.
Continue ReadingLevi P. Morton
American banker and Vice President
Born
May 16th, 1824 201 years ago
Died
May 16th, 1920 105 years ago — 96 years old
Served as the 22nd Vice President of the United States from 1889 to 1893 under President Benjamin Harrison. Initially involved in the banking sector, established a successful career as a financier. Contributed to various infrastructure projects, enhancing national growth. After his vice presidency, served as the U.S. Ambassador to France from 1894 to 1895, representing American interests abroad. Engaged in Republican politics and was active in public service throughout his career.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on July 13th
Albert VII
Archduke of Austria, Governor of the Low Countries
Born
November 13th, 1559 466 years ago
Died
July 13th, 1621 404 years ago — 61 years old
Governed the Spanish Netherlands from 1596 until death in 1621. Served as a prominent political figure during the Twelve Years' Truce, a ceasefire in the Eighty Years' War. Oversaw efforts to stabilize the region and supported the arts and culture. His governance was marked by both military and diplomatic engagements, attempting to reconcile conflicting interests in the Low Countries.
Continue ReadingAllan Jeans
Football Coach and Player
Born
September 21st, 1933 92 years ago
Died
July 13th, 2011 14 years ago — 77 years old
Played Australian rules football with a successful career spanning numerous years. Transitioned to coaching, achieving significant success with the club St Kilda. Led the team to the 1966 VFL Premiership, marking a historic moment for the club. Coached various teams in the VFL and later the AFL, cultivating a reputation for developing both players and teams. Known for contributions to the game as both a player and a coach.
Continue ReadingAugust Kekulé
Chemist known for structural chemistry
Born
September 7th, 1829 196 years ago
Died
July 13th, 1896 129 years ago — 66 years old
A German chemist and academic established contributions to structural chemistry. Introduced the idea of chemical structure and proposed that carbon atoms could bond in a chain, which explained the molecular structure of various organic compounds. Formulated the concept of isomerism, which describes compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements. Developed the structural formula of benzene and suggested its cyclic structure, which has fundamental importance in organic chemistry and the development of aromatic compounds. His work laid groundwork for future developments in organic synthesis and chemical bonding theories.
Continue ReadingVernon B. Romney
Attorney General of Utah
Born
April 27th, 1924 101 years ago
Died
July 13th, 2013 12 years ago — 89 years old
Served as the 14th Attorney General of Utah from 1971 to 1977. Held significant roles in local politics, including state senator and executive director of the Utah Republican Party. Involved in various legal cases and community affairs, contributing to the governance and legal framework of the state. Later, served on the Republican National Committee and participated in multiple statewide campaigns, influencing party strategies in Utah.
Continue ReadingSeretse Khama
Botswana's 1st President and lawyer
Born
July 1st, 1921 104 years ago
Died
July 13th, 1980 45 years ago — 59 years old
Served as the first President of Botswana from 1966 until 1980. Played a crucial role in the country's transition to independence from British rule. Educated in law at the University of Oxford, contributed to the legal and political foundation of Botswana. His presidency focused on national unity, economic development, and democratic governance.
Continue ReadingBronisław Geremek
Polish historian and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Born
March 6th, 1932 93 years ago
Died
July 13th, 2008 17 years ago — 76 years old
Born in 1932, studied history at the University of Warsaw. Contributed to Solidarity, the Polish trade union movement, in the 1980s. Served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1997 to 2000, advocating for Poland's integration into the European Union and NATO. Played a key role in the transition of Poland from communism to democracy. Participated in numerous international conferences, emphasizing human rights and democratic values.
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