John Kennedy Toole

American novelist; 'A Confederacy of Dunces'

John Kennedy Toole - American novelist; 'A Confederacy of Dunces'
Born

December 17th, 1937
87 years ago

Died

March 26th, 1969
56 years ago — 31 years old

Category

Artists & Creatives

Country

United States

Links & References

An American novelist achieved acclaim posthumously for a single work. Wrote a comic novel focused on the misadventures of Ignatius J. Reilly. Published 'A Confederacy of Dunces' in 1980, around 11 years after the author's suicide. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1981, gaining significant recognition and maintaining a cult following over the years.

Published 'A Confederacy of Dunces'

Won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1981

Other People Born on December 17th

David Rudisha

Kenyan middle-distance runner, Olympic Champion
Born
December 17th, 1988 36 years ago

Born in Kenya in 1988, this middle-distance runner specializes in the 800 meters. Achieved global recognition during the 2012 London Olympics, winning the gold medal and setting a world record of 1:40.91, which still stands. The athlete also claimed victory at the 2016 Rio Olympics, successfully defending the title. Over his career, multiple World Championship titles were secured, establishing a dominant presence in the 800-meter event.

Continue Reading

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu

Turkish politician and economist
Born
December 17th, 1948 76 years ago

An economist and politician from Turkey. Served as the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) since 2010. Elected to the Turkish Parliament and has been an influential figure in Turkish politics. Advocated for social democracy and economic justice. Ran for president of Turkey in the 2023 elections, challenging the incumbent. Focused on issues such as corruption, economic inequality, and democratic governance throughout political career.

Continue Reading

James McGaugh

Neurobiologist studying memory processes
Born
December 17th, 1931 93 years ago

An influential neurobiologist and psychologist focused on the study of memory. Conducted pioneering research on the effects of hormones on memory formation and retrieval. Aimed to understand the underlying biological mechanisms governing memory. Contributed to the field with research on Alzheimer’s disease and the impacts of stress on memory. Established a widely used model for investigating memory processes using animal subjects.

Continue Reading

Shoma Uno

Japanese figure skater, Olympic medalist
Born
December 17th, 1997 27 years ago

A prominent figure skater, achieved significant success in the sport of figure skating. Competed at multiple World Championships and secured the title in 2017. Earned a bronze medal in men's singles at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Gained recognition for innovative jumps and artistic performances on ice. Continues to represent Japan in international competitions, contributing to the country's reputation in figure skating.

Continue Reading

Chelsea Manning

American soldier and intelligence analyst
Born
December 17th, 1987 37 years ago

Served as an Army intelligence analyst and leaked classified military documents to WikiLeaks. The leaked materials included the Collateral Murder video, which showed a 2007 Apache helicopter attack in Baghdad that killed multiple civilians. Detained for her actions, faced a court-martial and was convicted in 2013, receiving a 35-year prison sentence. The conviction later resulted in a commutation by President Obama in 2017.

Continue Reading

Willard Libby

American chemist, Nobel Prize winner
Born
December 17th, 1908 116 years ago
Died
September 8th, 1980 44 years ago — 71 years old

An American chemist contributed significantly to the field of radiocarbon dating. Developed the radiocarbon dating method while working at the University of Chicago in the late 1940s. This technique revolutionized the ability to date ancient organic materials and became a crucial tool in archaeology and geology. Received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1960 for this pioneering research. Served as a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, where advancements in nuclear science and chemistry were made.

Continue Reading

Other People Who Died on March 26th

Jacob Ziv

Electrical engineer and compression algorithm developer
Born
1931 94 years ago
Died
March 26th, 2023 2 years ago — 92 years old

An Israeli electrical engineer contributed significantly to the field of data compression through the development of the LZ family of compression algorithms. These algorithms have become foundational in various applications, including file compression and image encoding. The work laid the groundwork for effective data transmission and storage solutions, influencing both academic research and commercial software products. Collaborations with other engineers and researchers led to advancements in information theory and practical implementations of compression techniques throughout the tech industry.

Continue Reading

David Packard

Co-founder of Hewlett-Packard
Born
September 7th, 1912 112 years ago
Died
March 26th, 1996 29 years ago — 83 years old

An American engineer and businessman co-founded Hewlett-Packard in 1939, which became a leading technology company, particularly known for its innovations in computing and electronics. Under leadership, the company pioneered several groundbreaking products, including the first programmable scientific calculator. The company contributed significantly to the development of Silicon Valley's technology landscape. In 1972, the company introduced the HP-35, the world’s first scientific pocket calculator. Its success helped popularize calculators in educational and professional settings. Packard served on various boards and was involved in public service, including a role in the U.S. Department of Defense.

Continue Reading

Old Abe

Wisconsin Infantry Mascot
Born
1861 164 years ago
Died
March 26th, 1881 144 years ago — 20 years old

A bald eagle served as the mascot for the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War. Transported to multiple battlefields, the eagle gained recognition as a symbol of bravery and resilience. Old Abe was present at numerous battles, inspiring soldiers with its presence. After the war, the eagle became a popular attraction and was showcased at events until its death in 1881.

Continue Reading

Eugen Jochum

Conductor of symphony orchestras
Born
November 1st, 1902 122 years ago
Died
March 26th, 1987 38 years ago — 84 years old

A prominent conductor active in the 20th century. Conducted many major orchestras and won notable recognition for the interpretation of classical music. Developed a deep understanding of symphonic works, particularly those by Bruckner and Mahler. Led the Berlin Philharmonic and the Munich Philharmonic, contributing to the prestige of these institutions. Received an honorary title from the Bavarian State Ministry of Education in 1971.

Continue Reading

Manik Godghate

Indian poet and educator
Born
1937 88 years ago
Died
March 26th, 2012 13 years ago — 75 years old

Contributed significantly to Marathi literature as a poet and educator. Focused on themes of social consciousness in poetry. Worked to promote education and literature among youth. Held a prominent role in various literary organizations, fostering a community of writers and poets. Actively engaged in literary festivals and discussions to advance Marathi poetry.

Continue Reading

Anson Stager

General and co-founder of Western Union
Born
1825 200 years ago
Died
March 26th, 1885 140 years ago — 60 years old

A general and businessman, contributed to the establishment of Western Union, a major telecommunication company. Played a significant role in the expansion of the telegraph service in the United States during the 19th century. Later served as a key figure in the company's development and operations, overseeing its growth into a national entity. His leadership and vision facilitated advancements in communication technology, which transformed business and personal communications across the country.

Continue Reading