Thurman Thomas
American football Hall of Famer
An American football player, notable for playing as a running back for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL. Achieved significant success during the 1990s, including four consecutive Super Bowl appearances from 1990 to 1993. Recognized for exceptional performance during his career, earning the NFL MVP award in 1991. Retired as one of the league's top rushers.
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007
Rushed for over 12,000 yards during NFL career
Other People Born on May 16th
Pierre Cuypers
Dutch architect, designer of Rijksmuseum
Born
May 16th, 1827 198 years ago
Died
1921 105 years ago — 94 years old
An architect born in the Netherlands, played a significant role in shaping the architectural landscape of the country during the 19th century. Designed the Amsterdam Centraal railway station, which showcases a distinctive neo-Gothic style. Additionally, worked on the Rijksmuseum, the national museum dedicated to arts and history in Amsterdam, significantly impacting its design and aesthetic. His contributions to architecture also include various buildings in Amsterdam and beyond, embodying a blend of historical styles and modern needs.
Continue ReadingKenji Mizoguchi
Japanese film director and screenwriter
Born
May 16th, 1898 127 years ago
Died
August 24th, 1956 69 years ago — 58 years old
A prominent director and screenwriter in Japanese cinema. Pioneered the vertical narrative style in film with a focus on women's struggles in society. Established a significant body of work during the 1940s and 1950s. Influenced international cinema with unique storytelling and visual compositions. His films often explored themes of suffering and social issues, particularly those affecting women in Japan. Received critical acclaim, including awards at major film festivals.
Continue ReadingDavid Edward Hughes
Physicist, co-inventor of the microphone
Born
May 16th, 1831 194 years ago
Died
January 22nd, 1900 126 years ago — 68 years old
A Welsh-American physicist contributed significantly to the field of acoustics through the invention of the microphone. This invention was pivotal in the development of sound technology. His work in electrical engineering also included innovations in telegraphy and the study of electromagnetic waves. Hughes's contributions enabled advances in communication and sound reproduction.
Continue ReadingPope Innocent XI
Pope and reformer of the Catholic Church
Born
May 16th, 1611 414 years ago
Died
August 12th, 1689 336 years ago — 78 years old
Served as Pope from 1676 to 1689, overseeing significant church reforms and confronting the rising power of secular authorities. Tackled issues such as ecclesiastical discipline and financial administration within the Church. He is recognized for his opposition to the abuses of the Jesuits and their influence in Europe. Under his papacy, the church sought to restore its moral authority and address corruption. Faced challenges from emerging modern states and worked towards strengthening the papal power.
Continue ReadingPeter Underwood
English parapsychologist and author
Born
May 16th, 1923 102 years ago
Died
July 7th, 2014 11 years ago — 91 years old
Born in 1923, a parapsychologist and author focused on investigating paranormal phenomena and the afterlife. Contributed to the field through numerous writings and research initiatives, including comprehensive studies on ghosts and hauntings. Served as the president of the Ghost Club, an organization dedicated to paranormal research. Authored several books that explore these subjects, combining personal experiences with investigative methods. Engaged in public discussions and lectures about parapsychology, aiming to raise awareness and promote understanding of the field.
Continue ReadingPafnuty Chebyshev
Mathematician and statistician, Chebyshev polynomials
Born
May 16th, 1821 204 years ago
Died
December 8th, 1894 131 years ago — 73 years old
A Russian mathematician and statistician, contributed significantly to number theory, approximation theory, and probability. Developed Chebyshev polynomials and established the foundation for Chebyshev's inequality in statistics. Authored several influential works and served as a professor at the University of St. Petersburg, where he influenced generations of mathematicians. The Chebyshev graph and Chebyshev approximation remain pivotal concepts in analysis and computational mathematics.
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