Reggie Duff
Australian cricketer; Test match player
Born in 1878, a cricketer represented Australia at the international level. Played in the early years of Test cricket, participating in significant series that helped establish the sport in Australia. Made notable contributions as an opening batsman and was recognized for his aggressive playing style. Competed in several Ashes series, contributing to the team's efforts against England.
Played in 19 Test matches for Australia
Scored 1,185 runs with a highest score of 191
Other People Born on August 17th
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Rugby league player with New Zealand
Born
August 17th, 1995 30 years ago
A rugby league player from New Zealand, competed in the NRL as a member of the Penrith Panthers and the Canterbury Bulldogs. Played for the New Zealand national team and represented the country in international competitions.
Continue ReadingNastasja Schunk
Tennis player and junior champion
Born
August 17th, 2003 22 years ago
A professional tennis player from Germany, gained recognition in junior competitions. Achieved notable success by winning the 2021 French Open girls' singles title. Competed on the ITF Women's Circuit and earned a ranking within the top 200 in women's singles. Showcased skills on both clay and hard courts during the career.
Continue ReadingRachel Hurd-Wood
English actress in 'Peter Pan' film
Born
August 17th, 1990 35 years ago
An English actress gained prominence through a lead role in the film 'Peter Pan' (2003) as Wendy Darling. Early in a career, involvement included roles in various television series and films, such as 'The Secret of Moonacre' (2008) and 'The Lodge' (2016). Played supporting roles across genres and developed a reputation for versatile performances. Also engaged in several charitable projects and educational initiatives.
Continue ReadingJake Virtanen
Ice Hockey Player, 2016 Memorial Cup Winner
Born
August 17th, 1996 29 years ago
Played as a right winger in the NHL, primarily with the Vancouver Canucks. Drafted in the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, contributed to the Canucks during multiple seasons. Achieved success in junior hockey by winning the Memorial Cup in 2016 with the Kelowna Rockets. Demonstrated offensive capabilities and physical play style throughout career.
Continue ReadingChanel Mata'utia
Rugby league player
Born
August 17th, 1992 33 years ago
Played rugby league in Australia, primarily as a center. Made significant contributions to various teams throughout a professional career. Gained recognition for performances in the National Rugby League (NRL) and showcased skills at both club and representative levels.
Continue ReadingSarah Sjöström
Swedish competitive swimmer and Olympian
Born
August 17th, 1993 32 years ago
Born in 1993, this swimmer specialized in butterfly and freestyle events. Competing for Sweden, significant achievements include multiple World Championships and Olympic medals. The athlete won gold in the 100m butterfly at the 2016 Rio Olympics, setting a record time in the process. Participation in various international competitions led to numerous accolades and records across different distances and styles in swimming.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on December 13th
Alan Thicke
Television actor and theme music composer
Born
March 1st, 1947 79 years ago
Died
December 13th, 2016 9 years ago — 69 years old
Born in Canada, an actor contributed significantly to television during the 1980s and 1990s. Starred as Jason Seaver in the popular sitcom 'Growing Pains,' which aired from 1985 to 1992. Also gained recognition for composing theme music for various television shows, including the iconic theme for 'The Different Strokes.' Pursued a career in both acting and music, becoming a familiar face on American television. Later appeared in reality television projects and talk shows, maintaining a presence in the entertainment industry until his passing.
Continue ReadingGustave Le Bon
French psychologist and sociologist
Born
1840 186 years ago
Died
December 13th, 1931 94 years ago — 91 years old
Contributed significantly to social psychology and sociology. Developed the concept of the collective mind, which explored how individuals in groups can behave differently than when alone. Authored 'The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind', which analyzed mob behavior and social influence. His work laid the groundwork for modern crowd psychology and social sciences.
Continue ReadingJosef Kramer
Concentration camp commandant
Born
1906 120 years ago
Died
December 13th, 1945 80 years ago — 39 years old
Commanded the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp during World War II. Oversaw the operations of the camp from 1944 to 1945. Played a key role in the administration of Nazi concentration camp policies. Captured by British forces after the camp's liberation and tried for war crimes in 1945.
Continue ReadingAbraham Wald
Mathematician known for decision theory
Born
October 31st, 1902 123 years ago
Died
December 13th, 1950 75 years ago — 48 years old
A mathematician and economist contributed to the field of statistics and decision theory. In the 1940s, worked on statistical methods for wartime applications, including the development of techniques to analyze aircraft damage. Proposed the concept of survivorship bias, emphasizing the need to examine failures rather than just successes. This work has had lasting implications in various fields including economics, military strategy, and operations research.
Continue ReadingDon E. Fehrenbacher
American historian and author
Born
1920 106 years ago
Died
December 13th, 1997 28 years ago — 77 years old
An American historian focused on the Civil War era, significant contributions included writing extensively about Abraham Lincoln and the American political landscape of the 19th century. Served as a professor at Stanford University, specializing in American history. His scholarship contributed to a deeper understanding of political and constitutional issues during Lincoln's presidency. Authored several influential books, including 'The Dred Scott Case: Its Significance in American Law and Politics', offering critical analysis of one of the most contentious Supreme Court decisions in history.
Continue ReadingLew Grade
Film producer and television executive
Born
December 25th, 1906 119 years ago
Died
December 13th, 1998 27 years ago — 91 years old
Born in Ukraine, Grade became a significant figure in the British television landscape. His career included founding the production company Associated Television (ATV), which produced a range of popular programs. He played a pivotal role in bringing many iconic series to the screen, including 'The Avengers' and 'Thunderbirds'. As an influential producer, he also ventured into film production, contributing to movies like 'The Italian Job'. His contributions to the industry earned him numerous accolades and recognition.
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