Leslie Charteris
Author of The Saint series
An English author and screenwriter, primarily recognized for creating the character Simon Templar, also known as The Saint. The character debuted in the 1928 novel 'Meet The Saint' and gained significant popularity through a series of books, television adaptations, and films. Works featured action-adventure themes, blending crime fiction with a touch of humor. The Saint was portrayed in various adaptations, with notable portrayals by Roger Moore in the television series during the 1960s and 1970s. Charteris contributed to the narrative style of the detective genre with a charismatic protagonist who operated outside traditional law enforcement. Throughout his career, Charteris wrote more than 30 novels and short stories centered around The Saint, solidifying a lasting legacy in the realm of detective fiction.
Created The Saint character in 1928
Wrote over 30 novels featuring The Saint
Influenced detective fiction and adventure genres
Other People Born on May 12th
Jesús Franco
Filmmaker and horror genre pioneer
Born
May 12th, 1930 95 years ago
Died
April 2nd, 2013 12 years ago — 82 years old
A Spanish director, screenwriter, producer, and actor, recognized for contributions to the horror genre. Directed over 200 films, spanning various styles and themes. Developed a unique style characterized by low budgets and provocative content. Collaborated with notable actors, including Christopher Lee and Soledad Miranda. Gained a cult following through films that often blended eroticism with horror. His works included titles such as 'Count Dracula', 'The Awful Dr. Orlof', and 'Vampyros Lesbos', which have garnered attention in film studies and retrospectives.
Continue ReadingMark Thomas
British sprinter and Olympic athlete
Born
May 12th, 1965 60 years ago
A British sprinter specialized in the 100 meters and 200 meters events. Competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, representing Great Britain. Achieved notable success in the 1990 Commonwealth Games, where earned a gold medal in the 4x100 meters relay. Also set multiple personal bests and participated in various international competitions during a career that spanned several years.
Continue ReadingYogi Berra
Baseball player and coach with 10 titles
Born
May 12th, 1925 100 years ago
Died
September 22nd, 2015 10 years ago — 90 years old
Played as a catcher for the New York Yankees from 1946 to 1963. Contributed to 10 World Series championships, establishing a record for the most titles by a player. Served as a coach and manager in Major League Baseball after retirement. Additionally, became a cultural icon with famous quotations and a distinct personality, making appearances in various media throughout his life.
Continue ReadingEtika
YouTuber and live streamer
Born
May 12th, 1990 35 years ago
Died
June 19th, 2019 6 years ago — 29 years old
An American YouTuber and live streamer gained prominence through engaging content primarily focused on video games, particularly Nintendo franchises. Established a significant online presence with a lively personality and unique style that resonated with audiences. Created reaction videos that captured the excitement of gaming announcements and developments. Started the channel in 2012, quickly growing a large subscriber base. Faced challenges related to mental health, leading to an impactful discussion in online communities about mental well-being and support.
Continue ReadingFrenkie de Jong
Dutch footballer and Barcelona midfielder
Born
May 12th, 1997 28 years ago
Born in 1997, this Dutch footballer rose through the ranks of youth football, eventually joining the senior team of Ajax. During time at Ajax, contributed significantly to the team's success in winning the Eredivisie and the KNVB Cup in 2019. His performances at Ajax caught the attention of European clubs, leading to a transfer to FC Barcelona in 2019. At Barcelona, continued to showcase exceptional skills as a midfielder, playing a key role in the team’s strategies and successes.
Continue ReadingBilly Squier
Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Born
May 12th, 1950 75 years ago
An American musician, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. Achievements include releasing several successful albums during the 1980s, such as 'Don't Say No' and 'Emotions in Motion'. Also recognized for a string of hit singles that received significant airplay, including 'The Stroke' and 'Lonely Is the Night'. Squier's music features a blend of rock and pop elements, contributing to his reputation as a prominent figure in the genre. Influenced many artists with a distinctive guitar style and songwriting.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on April 15th
Françoise d'Aubigné
French Royalty and Marquise de Maintenon
Born
November 27th, 1635 390 years ago
Died
April 15th, 1719 306 years ago — 83 years old
Born into a modest family, entered the service of the future king of France as a lady-in-waiting. Became the second wife of Louis XIV after a long relationship, largely hidden from court life. Established a prominent position within the royal court, wielding influence over the king's decisions, particularly in religious matters. Established the Saint-Cyr school for poor girls, promoting education and moral discipline. Strived to reconcile the king's policies with the Jansenist movement, reflecting her strong religious convictions.
Continue ReadingJean-Paul Sartre
French philosopher, Nobel Prize laureate
Born
June 21st, 1905 120 years ago
Died
April 15th, 1980 45 years ago — 74 years old
Philosopher and playwright contributed significantly to existentialism and phenomenology. Authored influential works including 'Being and Nothingness' and 'Existentialism is a Humanism.' Wrote plays such as 'No Exit' and 'The Flies,' exploring themes of freedom and responsibility. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1964 but declined the honor, citing a desire to remain independent from institutions. Engaged in political discourse and was involved in various leftist movements throughout life.
Continue ReadingGreta Garbo
Swedish-American actress and filmmaker
Born
September 18th, 1905 120 years ago
Died
April 15th, 1990 35 years ago — 84 years old
An influential actress of the silent film era, she transitioned to sound films with equal success. Renowned for her roles in classics such as 'Camille' and 'Ninotchka', she often portrayed enigmatic and strong-willed characters. Her unique on-screen presence, coupled with a distinctive voice, set her apart in Hollywood. After retiring from acting in the late 1940s, she led a reclusive life, away from the public eye, and became a significant figure in cinematic history.
Continue ReadingVittorio Taviani
Italian film director and screenwriter
Born
September 20th, 1929 96 years ago
Died
April 15th, 2018 7 years ago — 88 years old
Taviani was an Italian film director and screenwriter recognized for contributions to cinema from the 1960s onward. His works often explored themes of social justice and human rights, frequently collaborating with his brother Paolo. Highlights include 'Padre Padrone', which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1977, and 'Kaos', an acclaimed film that adapts stories from Luigi Pirandello. The Taviani brothers established a distinctive style that blended realism and poetic imagery, leaving a significant mark on Italian filmmaking. Their films gained recognition for their artistic merit and often reflected historical and political contexts.
Continue ReadingHermann Florstedt
German SS officer
Born
1895 131 years ago
Died
April 15th, 1945 80 years ago — 50 years old
Served as an SS officer during World War II, holding significant positions within the Nazi regime. Played a role in the administration and operations of concentration camps, particularly overseeing logistics and personnel. Engaged in the enforcement of Nazi policies and contributed to the systematic persecution of various groups. Died in combat in 1945 as the war drew to a close.
Continue ReadingWilliam Oldys
Historian and author of important texts
Born
July 14th, 1696 329 years ago
Died
April 15th, 1761 264 years ago — 64 years old
An English historian and author in the 18th century, focused on historical texts and bibliographies. Contributed significantly to the understanding of English literature and history through extensive research and writings. Authored the 'General History of the Most Renowned and Victorious Princess Elizabeth, Late Queen of England' which detailed the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Held the position of Norroy King of Arms, demonstrating involvement in heraldry and genealogy. His works provided a foundation for future historians and bibliographers.
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