Lionel Kieseritzky

Chess player and theoretician

Lionel Kieseritzky - Chess player and theoretician
Born

January 1st, 1806
219 years ago

Died

May 18th, 1853
172 years ago — 47 years old

Category

Thinkers & Philosophers

Country

Estonia

Links & References

A chess player and theoretician contributed to the development of opening theory, particularly known for the Kieseritzky Gambit. Played in several international tournaments during the 19th century and was an influential figure in the chess community. Competed against many leading players of the time, helping to elevate the standard of play. In addition to competitive play, authored significant writings on chess strategies and opened the door for future generations of players.

Developed the Kieseritzky Gambit

Contributed to advancements in chess theory

Other People Born on January 1st

Willy den Ouden

Dutch Olympic Swimmer, 1936 Berlin
Born
January 1st, 1918 107 years ago
Died
December 6th, 1997 27 years ago — 79 years old

Competed in swimming at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, representing the Netherlands. Achieved notable success in freestyle events during the 1930s and became a prominent figure in Dutch swimming. Participated in various national championships, securing several titles and contributing to the development of swimming in the country.

Continue Reading

Gustave Whitehead

Pioneer aviator and aircraft engineer
Born
January 1st, 1874 151 years ago
Died
October 10th, 1927 97 years ago — 53 years old

Pioneered early aviation with innovative aircraft designs. Developed and demonstrated powered flight in 1901, ahead of the Wright brothers' first flight. Established the Whitehead Aircraft Company and contributed to the advancement of aeronautics through various experiments and designs. Advocated for the potential of aviation technology.

Continue Reading

Sergei Avdeyev

Russian engineer and astronaut with missions
Born
January 1st, 1956 69 years ago

Born in 1956, an engineer and astronaut participated in three long-duration missions aboard the Mir space station from 1992 to 1999. Accumulated a total of 747 days in space, which ranks among the highest for any astronaut. Contributed to numerous scientific experiments and technological advancements during missions.

Continue Reading

Michael Joseph Owens

American inventor of glass machinery
Born
January 1st, 1859 166 years ago
Died
1923 102 years ago — 64 years old

An American inventor revolutionized glass manufacturing with the development of automated machinery. Pioneered the production of glass bottles through innovative techniques, significantly increasing efficiency and reducing costs in glass production. Established the Owens Bottle Machine Company, which became a leader in the industry. Received numerous patents for advancements in glassmaking, which contributed to the mass production of glass containers and shaped the future of packaging.

Continue Reading

Charles Bickford

American film and stage actor
Born
January 1st, 1889 136 years ago
Died
1967 58 years ago — 78 years old

An accomplished actor, known for performances in film and theater, especially during the early to mid-20th century. Bickford's career included numerous roles that showcased his talents in various genres. Notable performances occurred in films such as 'The Farmer Takes a Wife' and 'All Quiet on the Western Front'. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for the film 'The Song of Bernadette'. Bickford's extensive work spanned several decades, contributing significantly to the American entertainment scene.

Continue Reading

Francisco Macías Nguema

Equatorial Guinean politician, 1st President
Born
January 1st, 1924 101 years ago
Died
September 29th, 1979 45 years ago — 55 years old

Became the first president of Equatorial Guinea after the country’s independence from Spain in 1968. Established a one-party state and ruled with an authoritarian style, promoting his regime's ideology under a philosophy called 'Marxism-Leninism'. Oversaw significant changes in governance, including nationalization of industries and land reform. His presidency was marked by widespread political repression and human rights abuses, leading to a deep national unrest. A military coup in 1979 resulted in his removal from power and subsequent execution.

Continue Reading

Other People Who Died on May 18th

Betty Robinson

American Olympic sprinting champion
Born
August 23rd, 1911 114 years ago
Died
May 18th, 1999 26 years ago — 87 years old

An accomplished sprinter, she achieved significant success in track and field events during the early 20th century. Competed in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, where the 4x100 meter relay team won the gold medal, marking the first time women raced in Olympic track events. Also participated in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Overcame a life-threatening plane crash in 1931, which challenged her athletic career but did not prevent a remarkable return to competition.

Continue Reading

Austin Eubanks

Addiction recovery advocate and speaker
Born
1981 44 years ago
Died
May 18th, 2019 6 years ago — 38 years old

Survived the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. Became an advocate for addiction recovery, drawing from personal experiences with substance abuse following the trauma of the shooting. Engaged in speaking events across the country to share insights on mental health and addiction, aiming to reduce stigma and promote understanding of these issues. Worked with various organizations and initiatives focused on recovery and prevention. Contributed to numerous media outlets, spreading awareness about the impact of trauma and the importance of mental wellness.

Continue Reading

Pierre-Gilles de Gennes

Physicist, Nobel Prize laureate.
Born
October 24th, 1932 92 years ago
Died
May 18th, 2007 18 years ago — 74 years old

A prominent physicist and academic, contributions focused on condensed matter physics and liquid crystals. Played a pivotal role in the development of the theory of liquid crystals and polymers. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1991 for discovering that methods developed for studying order phenomena in simple systems can be generalized to more complex forms of matter, in particular to liquid crystals and polymers.

Continue Reading

Jill Ireland

English actress and author
Born
April 24th, 1936 89 years ago
Died
May 18th, 1990 35 years ago — 54 years old

Born in 1936, this English actress gained prominence in the 1960s and 1970s through various film and television roles. Stars in 'Death Wish II' and 'The Great Escape' showcased versatility in performance. Additionally, she collaborated with her husband, Charles Bronson, on several films, enhancing her presence in the industry. Beyond acting, an accomplished author, writing several books including an autobiography detailing personal experiences.

Continue Reading

Werner Sombart

Economist and sociologist, Modern Capitalism
Born
January 19th, 1863 162 years ago
Died
May 18th, 1941 84 years ago — 78 years old

Contributed significantly to the fields of economics and sociology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Explored the development of modern capitalism and its societal implications. Authored numerous works, including 'Der moderne Kapitalismus', which analyzed the evolution and characteristics of capitalist economies. Engaged in the debate about capitalism's role in modern society and its relationship with socialism. Influenced later economic and sociological thought, particularly in Germany.

Continue Reading

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

Opera singer and conductor
Born
May 28th, 1925 100 years ago
Died
May 18th, 2012 13 years ago — 86 years old

Born in 1925, this individual gained recognition as a prominent baritone in the realm of classical music. A celebrated opera singer, this individual achieved acclaim for performances at renowned venues, including the Vienna State Opera and the Bayreuth Festival. In addition to operatic roles, extensive work in lieder, particularly with composers such as Schubert and Schumann, showcased remarkable vocal artistry. This individual also contributed to the field as a conductor, leading various orchestras and vocal ensembles throughout a lengthy career.

Continue Reading