Venetia Burney
Educator who named the planet Pluto
Born
Died
2009
17 years ago — 91 years old
Category
Thinkers & Philosophers
Country
United Kingdom
Links & References
An English educator, contributed to astronomy by naming the planet Pluto at the age of 11. The name was suggested during a conversation with her grandfather, who was an avid astronomer. This proposal gained traction and was ultimately adopted by the astronomical community. Burney's suggestion reflected the mythological theme of naming planets after Roman gods. She pursued a career in education, teaching for several decades, and remained involved in discussions about astronomy and science education throughout her life.
Named the planet Pluto in 1930
Had a long career in education
Other People Born on July 11th
Patsy O'Hara
Irish Republican hunger striker
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July 11th, 1957 68 years ago
Died
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Continue ReadingLeonard Goodwin
British protozoologist and researcher
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July 11th, 1915 110 years ago
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November 25th, 2008 17 years ago — 93 years old
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Venezuelan baseball player.
Born
July 11th, 1984 41 years ago
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Continue ReadingEduardo Nájera
Basketball player and coach
Born
July 11th, 1976 49 years ago
Played college basketball at the University of Oklahoma before entering the NBA. Played for teams including the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and Denver Nuggets. Transitioned to coaching roles after retirement from professional play. Served as an assistant coach at multiple levels, contributing to player development and team strategy.
Continue ReadingAlexander Afanasyev
Russian ethnographer and author of folklore
Born
July 11th, 1826 199 years ago
Died
1871 155 years ago — 45 years old
An ethnographer and author, contributed significantly to the study and preservation of Russian folklore. Collected and published a series of fairy tales, which included 'Russian Fairy Tales' and 'Panish Tales,' helping to document traditional stories and cultural heritage. Focused on the oral traditions of the Russian people and aimed to preserve their tales in written form. Influenced the study of folklore and inspired future generations of folklorists and writers.
Continue ReadingCordwainer Smith
Sinologist and science fiction author
Born
July 11th, 1913 112 years ago
Died
1966 60 years ago — 53 years old
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