William Alden Smith

American lawyer and politician, U.S. Senator

William Alden Smith - American lawyer and politician, U.S. Senator
Born

May 12th, 1859
166 years ago

Died

October 11th, 1932
92 years ago — 73 years old

Category

Leaders & Politicians

Country

United States

Links & References

Served as a U.S. Senator from Michigan from 1923 to 1927. Played a significant role in various legislative efforts during tenure. Contributed to the establishment of veterans' services and was involved in issues related to immigration and labor. Prior to becoming a senator, held positions such as a state representative in Michigan and engaged in law practice. Worked to improve infrastructure and public services in the state.

Served as a U.S. Senator from Michigan

Advocated for veterans' services

Worked on immigration and labor issues

Other People Born on May 12th

Ving Rhames

Actor in Pulp Fiction and Mission: Impossible
Born
May 12th, 1959 66 years ago

An American actor renowned for roles in films such as 'Pulp Fiction' where portrayed Marsellus Wallace and 'Mission: Impossible' series as Luther Stickell. Rhames began his career on stage, earning acclaim for performances in various theatrical productions. His film career gained significant attention in the 1990s and continued to flourish into the 2000s with appearances in several high-profile movies and television projects. Rhames also received recognition for voice work in animated films and made-for-television movies.

Continue Reading

Lance Lynn

Baseball pitcher, 2015 All-Star
Born
May 12th, 1987 38 years ago

A prominent participant in Major League Baseball, played primarily as a pitcher. Played for teams including the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, and Texas Rangers. Achieved significant success during tenure with the Cardinals, including winning the World Series in 2011. Selected as an All-Star in 2015, showcasing impressive skills on the mound. Known for resilience and durability, contributing to team performances across multiple seasons.

Continue Reading

Clemens von Pirquet

Immunologist and creator of allergy testing
Born
May 12th, 1874 151 years ago
Died
February 28th, 1929 96 years ago — 54 years old

Contributed significantly to immunology, particularly through the development of the skin test for allergies. Introduced the concept of 'allergy' as a medical term and formulated the von Pirquet test, which assessed hypersensitivity reactions. Published research on the immune response and strengthened the understanding of vaccines and infectious diseases, laying groundwork for future advancements in immunology.

Continue Reading

Fritz Kortner

Austrian-German actor and director
Born
May 12th, 1892 133 years ago
Died
1970 55 years ago — 78 years old

An actor and director with roots in the Austrian and German theaters, his career spanned several decades. Started in the early 20th century, he gained recognition for roles in various stage adaptations and films. His performances were marked by intensity and a deep understanding of characters. He also directed several productions, shaping the theatrical landscape. In addition to his contributions to theater, involvement in cinema included notable films like 'The Last Ten Days' and 'The Brothers Karamazov'.

Continue Reading

William Giauque

Chemist and Nobel Prize laureate
Born
May 12th, 1895 130 years ago
Died
March 28th, 1982 43 years ago — 86 years old

A prominent chemist and academic, engaged in significant research in thermodynamics, particularly at low temperatures. Contributed to the understanding of the physical behavior of substances. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1949 for pioneering work in the field of chemical thermodynamics. Served as a professor and influenced numerous students and researchers in the discipline.

Continue Reading

Yogi Berra

Baseball player and coach with 10 titles
Born
May 12th, 1925 100 years ago
Died
September 22nd, 2015 9 years ago — 90 years old

Played as a catcher for the New York Yankees from 1946 to 1963. Contributed to 10 World Series championships, establishing a record for the most titles by a player. Served as a coach and manager in Major League Baseball after retirement. Additionally, became a cultural icon with famous quotations and a distinct personality, making appearances in various media throughout his life.

Continue Reading

Other People Who Died on October 11th

Gotthold Eisenstein

German mathematician and academic
Born
April 16th, 1823 202 years ago
Died
October 11th, 1852 172 years ago — 29 years old

Eisenstein contributed significantly to number theory and algebra. He formulated Eisenstein's criterion, which provides a criterion for determining whether a polynomial is irreducible over the integers. His work on elliptic functions and series also advanced mathematical analysis. Eisenstein worked at several universities and became a prominent figure in the mathematical community of his time.

Continue Reading

Selim Sarper

Turkish politician and educator
Born
1899 126 years ago
Died
October 11th, 1968 56 years ago — 69 years old

Served as the 13th Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey from 1946 to 1950. Worked on significant foreign policy issues during the early years of the Republic. Held various political and academic roles, influencing educational policies in Turkey. Active in promoting Turkey's interests on the international stage.

Continue Reading

Jean Cocteau

French novelist and playwright
Born
July 5th, 1889 136 years ago
Died
October 11th, 1963 61 years ago — 74 years old

A prominent figure in French literature, worked across multiple forms including poetry, novels, and plays. Gained recognition for the film 'La Belle et la Bête' and the play 'Les Parents Terribles.' His artistic vision encompassed not only literature but also visual arts, making significant contributions to the Surrealist movement. Engaged with influential artists in the early 20th century, shaping responses to modernity and creativity.

Continue Reading

MacKinlay Kantor

American author, Pulitzer Prize winner
Born
February 4th, 1904 121 years ago
Died
October 11th, 1977 47 years ago — 73 years old

An American author and screenwriter, contributed significantly to literature with novels and screenplays. Achieved prominence with the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel 'Andersonville,' a historical fiction account of the infamous Civil War prison. Wrote screenplays including the adaptation of his own works and others, gaining recognition in the film industry. His storytelling often focused on themes of war and human experience, reflecting deep historical insights.

Continue Reading

Maurice de Vlaminck

French painter and poet with fauvism
Born
April 4th, 1876 149 years ago
Died
October 11th, 1958 66 years ago — 82 years old

A prominent figure in the Fauvist movement, the work focused on bold colors and expressive brushwork. Early artistic collaborations with fellow Fauvist André Derain led to significant contributions in the early 20th century art scene. In the 1905 Salon d'Automne, a pivotal exhibition showcased works that defied traditional representation, emphasizing color over form. This period saw a departure from more realistic styles, establishing a new visual language that would influence many future artists. Alongside painting, also produced poetry that reflected the same vibrant spirit found in the artwork. His career spanned several decades, and he engaged with various artistic mediums including landscape and portraiture, marked by a distinctive use of color and composition.

Continue Reading

Leo Lionni

Children's author and illustrator
Born
May 5th, 1910 115 years ago
Died
October 11th, 1999 25 years ago — 89 years old

An American author and illustrator created numerous children's books, blending storytelling with unique artistic styles. Significant works include 'Frederick', which tells the story of a field mouse who collects words instead of food, and 'Inch by Inch', focusing on a little inchworm that measures different animals. Lionni's vibrant collages and philosophical themes have influenced children's literature. His contributions earned the American Library Association's Caldecott Honor multiple times, solidifying a place in children's literary history.

Continue Reading