Maud of Wales
Queen of Norway, Wife of King Haakon VII
Born into the British royal family, Maud married Prince Carl of Sweden, who later became King Haakon VII of Norway. Maud served as queen consort from 1905 until her death in 1938. She undertook royal duties and engaged in charitable work, supporting various causes in Norway. The queen was fluent in Norwegian and contributed to fostering relations between Norway and the United Kingdom. Her reign coincided with Norway's transition to a constitutional monarchy after independence from Sweden.
Served as Queen of Norway from 1905 to 1938
Promoted Norwegian culture and charity work
Other People Born on November 26th
Lefty Gomez
Baseball pitcher and Hall of Famer
Born
November 26th, 1908 117 years ago
Died
February 17th, 1989 37 years ago — 80 years old
A prominent baseball pitcher, played for the New York Yankees from 1930 to 1942. Achieved significant success in Major League Baseball, recognized for contributions to the Yankees' numerous championships during the 1930s and early 1940s. Selected to the All-Star team multiple times and won the American League MVP award in 1934. Contributed to the Yankees' winning five World Series titles and is remembered for his pitching prowess and charismatic personality.
Continue ReadingErnie Coombs
Television host of Mr. Dressup
Born
November 26th, 1927 98 years ago
Died
September 18th, 2001 24 years ago — 73 years old
A television host, known for creating and starring in the children's show 'Mr. Dressup', which aired on CBC Television from 1967 to 1996. The program featured interactive storytelling, puppetry, and arts and crafts, engaging a generation of Canadian children. Coombs utilized various characters, including the iconic puppets Casey and Finnegan, to teach important values and stimulate creativity. His work significantly shaped children's programming in Canada during his active years.
Continue ReadingDes Walker
Footballer and England national team player
Born
November 26th, 1965 60 years ago
Played as a central defender in professional football. Made over 500 appearances in the Football League and represented the England national team in international competitions. Played a significant role in Nottingham Forest's defense during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Had a successful club career with notable stints at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, contributing to league campaigns and cup competitions.
Continue ReadingLamecha Girma
Ethiopian middle-distance runner
Born
November 26th, 2000 25 years ago
An accomplished middle-distance runner specializing in the 3000 meters steeplechase. Established a prominent career in athletics, representing Ethiopia in multiple international competitions. Achieved a personal best time of 7:58.68 in the steeplechase, making a notable mark in the sport. Competed at the World Athletics Championships, where a silver medal was earned in 2022. Additionally, participated in the Olympic Games in 2021.
Continue ReadingRichard Hauptmann
Murderer in the Lindbergh kidnapping case
Born
November 26th, 1899 126 years ago
Died
April 3rd, 1936 90 years ago — 36 years old
A German-American carpenter was convicted of the 1932 kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh Jr., the infant son of aviator Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Hauptmann was arrested when authorities traced ransom money back to him. He maintained innocence throughout the trial, but the evidence presented, including a missing step ladder found at the crime scene linked to him, led to a guilty verdict. The trial garnered massive media attention, marking it as one of the most publicized criminal cases in American history. Hauptmann was sentenced to death and executed in 1936.
Continue ReadingV. K. Murthy
Cinematographer for acclaimed films
Born
November 26th, 1923 102 years ago
Died
April 7th, 2014 12 years ago — 90 years old
A prominent Indian cinematographer, contributed to the Indian film industry with a distinguished career spanning several decades. Worked with acclaimed directors and was integral to the visual storytelling in Indian cinema. Notably, partnered with Satyajit Ray on films such as 'Pather Panchali' and 'The Apu Trilogy', which received international recognition. Received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2008 for lifetime achievement in cinema, highlighting contributions to the craft of cinematography.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on November 20th
Allan Sherman
Comedian and TV producer, 'My Son, the Folk Singer'
Born
November 30th, 1924 101 years ago
Died
November 20th, 1973 52 years ago — 48 years old
Born in 1924, contributions included work as a comedian, producer, and singer. Achieved notoriety in the 1960s for comedic parodies of popular songs, with 'My Son, the Folk Singer' achieving significant commercial success. Also created and hosted the television show 'The Allan Sherman Show', which aired in the early 1960s. Wrote humorous songs that highlighted aspects of American life and culture.
Continue ReadingFrancis William Aston
Nobel Prize-winning chemist and physicist
Born
September 1st, 1877 148 years ago
Died
November 20th, 1945 80 years ago — 68 years old
Contributed significantly to the field of chemistry and physics through the development of the mass spectrograph. This innovation allowed for precise measurements of atomic masses and the identification of isotopes, which advanced the understanding of chemical elements. Received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1922 for the invention of the mass spectrograph and the discovery of isotopes. Held various academic positions throughout his career and published numerous scientific papers, which furthered research in atomic structure and behavior.
Continue ReadingHenry Draper
Astronomer and physician, stellar spectrography
Born
March 7th, 1837 189 years ago
Died
November 20th, 1882 143 years ago — 45 years old
Contributions to astronomy included pioneering work in stellar spectrography and the first photographs of celestial bodies. Developed techniques for analyzing the light from stars, which led to advancements in understanding stellar compositions. Published significant findings in various astronomical journals. Served as a prominent member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and contributed to the establishment of the American Astronomical Society.
Continue ReadingKristian Djurhuus
Faroese politician, 2nd Prime Minister
Born
February 12th, 1895 131 years ago
Died
November 20th, 1984 41 years ago — 89 years old
Served as the 2nd Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands. Contributed to the political landscape during a significant period in the islands' history. Held various prominent roles in the Faroese government. Engaged in shaping the policies and governance of the autonomous region.
Continue ReadingCaroline of Ansbach
Queen and regent of Great Britain
Born
March 1st, 1683 343 years ago
Died
November 20th, 1737 288 years ago — 54 years old
Born in 1683, served as queen consort of Great Britain from 1727 until death in 1737. Played a significant role in political affairs during the reign of her husband, George II. Actively influenced royal decisions and patronized the arts, contributing to the cultural landscape of the period. Her regency included interventions in parliamentary matters and advocacy for her husband's interests in British politics.
Continue ReadingCayetana Fitz-James Stuart
18th Duchess of Alba and aristocrat
Born
March 28th, 1926 100 years ago
Died
November 20th, 2014 11 years ago — 88 years old
Born into a prominent Spanish noble family, held the title of 18th Duchess of Alba from 1955 until death. Became a significant figure in Spanish high society and inherited a vast collection of art and historical properties. Gained attention for her numerous titles and was regarded as one of the last grandees of Spain, representing a unique tradition of Spanish nobility. Engaged in various philanthropic efforts, particularly related to the arts and culture in Spain.
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