Rashi
French rabbi and biblical commentator
Born in 1040 in Troyes, France, Rashi became a prominent rabbi and biblical commentator. His comprehensive commentaries on the Hebrew Bible and Talmud are considered foundational texts in Jewish scholarship. Rashi’s work synthesized earlier interpretations and provided clarity, making complex religious texts accessible to students and scholars alike. His writings incorporated linguistic nuances and contextual insights that influenced subsequent generations of Jewish learning. Rashi's contributions helped shape Jewish education and understanding throughout the Middle Ages and beyond.
Authored extensive commentaries on the Torah and Talmud
Influenced Jewish education for centuries
Other People Born on February 22nd
Ted Kennedy
American politician and legislator
Born
February 22nd, 1932 93 years ago
Died
August 25th, 2009 16 years ago — 77 years old
A prominent American legislator, served as a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts from 1962 to 2009. Played a key role in numerous significant pieces of legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Engaged in various political battles and was a key figure in the Democratic Party for several decades, advocating for healthcare, education, and civil rights. Participated in numerous presidential campaigns and was a central figure in discussions regarding national policy.
Continue ReadingBobby Smith
English Footballer and Tottenham Star
Born
February 22nd, 1933 92 years ago
Died
2010 15 years ago — 77 years old
Born in 1933, a prominent footballer spent the majority of his career with Tottenham Hotspur. Transitioned from amateur football to professional, making significant contributions to the team during the late 1940s to early 1960s. Played as a forward, recognized for scoring crucial goals in multiple matches, contributing to the club's success. Also earned caps representing England at the international level.
Continue ReadingSteve Barber
American baseball player, All-Star pitcher
Born
February 22nd, 1938 87 years ago
Died
2007 18 years ago — 69 years old
Professional baseball player featured primarily as a pitcher in Major League Baseball. Played most of career with the Baltimore Orioles from 1959 to 1966. Selected as an All-Star in 1966, showcasing exceptional skills on the mound. Also played for the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves, contributing to each team's pitching rotation during his tenure. Gained recognition for strong performances during the 1960s, including a significant role during critical matchups.
Continue ReadingMarni Nixon
Soprano and voice of movie musicals
Born
February 22nd, 1930 95 years ago
Died
July 24th, 2016 9 years ago — 86 years old
Acclaimed for providing the singing voices in several major film musicals, this American soprano contributed to iconic movie soundtracks. Renowned roles included voicing Maria in 'West Side Story,' Nellie Forbush in 'South Pacific,' and the titular character in 'Anna and the King of Siam.' Apart from film, also performed on Broadway and in operas, showcasing a versatile vocal talent. Engaged in the classical music scene and dedicated to teaching singing later in life.
Continue ReadingAdolphe Quetelet
Belgian mathematician and social statistician
Born
February 22nd, 1796 229 years ago
Died
February 17th, 1874 151 years ago — 77 years old
A prominent figure in the development of social statistics and the study of human behavior, contributions included the establishment of the concept of 'l'homme moyen' or the average man. Utilized statistical methods to analyze social phenomena, influencing both sociology and demography. Founded the Belgian Statistical Society and authored several works that laid the groundwork for modern statistics. Worked on applications of statistical analysis in various fields, emphasizing the importance of data in understanding societal trends.
Continue ReadingJohn Duncan
Scottish footballer and manager
Born
February 22nd, 1949 76 years ago
Died
2022 3 years ago — 73 years old
Played as a forward for several clubs, including Sunderland, where scored 31 goals in 75 appearances. Managed teams like Darlington and got them promoted during his tenure. Worked as a director of football for several clubs after coaching career ended.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on July 13th
Gabriel Lippmann
Physicist and Nobel Prize laureate
Born
August 16th, 1845 180 years ago
Died
July 13th, 1921 104 years ago — 75 years old
A physicist and academic, contributed significantly to the field of physics. Developed the method of color photography known as integral photography, which utilized the principles of light interference. In recognition of these advancements, received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1908. His work laid the foundation for later developments in photographic technology and optics.
Continue ReadingRed Buttons
American actor and comedian
Born
February 5th, 1919 106 years ago
Died
July 13th, 2006 19 years ago — 87 years old
Began a career in entertainment as a stand-up comedian before transitioning to television and film. Received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the role in 'Sayonara'. Gained popularity through appearances on television shows including 'The Red Buttons Show', which aired from 1952 to 1955. Also appeared in popular movies such as 'The Longest Day' and 'Harlow'.
Continue ReadingJohann Voldemar Jannsen
Estonian journalist and poet
Born
May 16th, 1819 206 years ago
Died
July 13th, 1890 135 years ago — 71 years old
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.
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 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 ReadingCompay Segundo
Cuban singer-songwriter and guitarist
Born
November 18th, 1907 118 years ago
Died
July 13th, 2003 22 years ago — 95 years old
A prominent figure in Cuban music, a musician contributed significantly to the genre of son cubano. He gained international recognition as a member of the Buena Vista Social Club. His guitar playing and unique singing style showcased traditional Cuban music to a global audience. Through a prolific career spanning several decades, music drew from Afro-Cuban rhythms, creating sounds celebrating the cultural heritage of Cuba.
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