William Birdwood

Field Marshal of the British Army

William Birdwood - Field Marshal of the British Army
Born

September 13th, 1865
160 years ago

Died

May 17th, 1951
74 years ago — 85 years old

Category

Military & Warriors

Country

United Kingdom

Links & References

Served as a senior officer in the British Army with significant roles during World War I. Commanded the ANZAC forces during the Gallipoli Campaign, demonstrating strategic military leadership. Led British troops at the Battle of the Somme and commanded the Australian Imperial Force during the war's later stages. His tactics and leadership styles influenced military operations during the conflict.

Commanded ANZAC forces at Gallipoli

Led British troops at the Battle of the Somme

Oversaw the Australian Imperial Force

Other People Born on September 13th

Carol Kendall

Historian and author of children's literature
Born
September 13th, 1917 108 years ago
Died
2012 13 years ago — 95 years old

An American historian and author, specialized in writing children's books that bridge the gap between history and storytelling. Created a notable series centered on historical events, engaging young readers with narratives rich in detail and character. Contributed to the educational field through published works that were widely used in classrooms across the United States. Authored several books that received acclaim for their informative and engaging content.

Continue Reading

Barbara Bain

American actress, Mission: Impossible star
Born
September 13th, 1931 94 years ago

An actress with a prolific career in film and television, gained prominence for her role as Cinnamon Carter in the television series 'Mission: Impossible' from 1966 to 1973. Received three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series during the early 1970s. Appeared in the series 'Space: 1999' as the character Commander Koenig. Worked with various prominent actors and directors throughout her career in both television and film.

Continue Reading

Óscar Arias

Costa Rican politician and Nobel laureate
Born
September 13th, 1940 85 years ago

A prominent politician, served as President of Costa Rica from 1986 to 1990 and again from 2006 to 2010. Played a key role in Central American peace negotiations during the 1980s, resulting in the Esquipulas Accords. Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for efforts in promoting peace and democracy in the region.

Continue Reading

George Weidenfeld

Austrian-English journalist and publisher
Born
September 13th, 1919 106 years ago
Died
2016 9 years ago — 97 years old

Born in Austria, a significant role in journalism and publishing spanned several decades. Co-founded Weidenfeld & Nicolson, which became a prominent publishing house in the UK. Contributed to various humanitarian efforts, particularly related to refugee support, during and after World War II. Served as a prolific writer and commentator on political and cultural issues. Received the honorary title of Baron in the UK.

Continue Reading

Tsvetana Pironkova

Professional tennis player and Wimbledon semi-finalist
Born
September 13th, 1987 38 years ago

This Bulgarian tennis player achieved significant success on the women's professional circuit. Career highlights include reaching the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 2010, marking a high point in competitive performance. Pironkova has competed in all four Grand Slam tournaments, showcasing strong play on both hard and grass courts. She gained recognition for her powerful serve and versatile playing style. In addition to her individual accomplishments, she represented Bulgaria in several Fed Cup competitions, contributing to the national team's efforts.

Continue Reading

David Jordan

English singer-songwriter with hits
Born
September 13th, 1985 40 years ago

An English singer-songwriter emerged in the mid-2000s, achieving notable success in the pop music genre. Released several singles that charted in the UK, with the most recognized being 'Sun Goes Down'. The debut album, 'Set the Mood', displayed a blend of pop and R&B influences. Collaborated with various artists and writers, contributing to the evolution of contemporary British pop music. Early career included performances in local venues, leading to larger opportunities and recognition in the music industry.

Continue Reading

Other People Who Died on May 17th

Thongbanh Sengaphone

Laotian politician and key government figure
Born
1953 72 years ago
Died
May 17th, 2014 11 years ago — 61 years old

Thongbanh Sengaphone served as a prominent politician in Laos, holding various governmental positions throughout his career. His roles included serving as a Minister of Public Security and as a member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. Sengaphone's political activities were closely tied to the governance and security policies in Laos during his time in office. He contributed to the development of party frameworks and state security strategies, particularly in the context of Lao governance. His political tenure was marked by significant events in the country's history, influencing the direction of its internal affairs until his passing in 2014.

Continue Reading

Go-Fushimi

Emperor of Japan during the Nanboku-chō period
Born
1288 737 years ago
Died
May 17th, 1336 689 years ago — 48 years old

Ascended to the throne in 1287, serving as the 96th emperor of Japan during a tumultuous period marked by imperial conflict. The reign was characterized by the Nanboku-chō period, which involved the division of loyalty between competing imperial lines. Go-Fushimi's era included ongoing power struggles, notably between the Northern and Southern courts. After abdication in 1298, remained an influential figure during the continued efforts to unify the imperial seat. Passed away in 1336.

Continue Reading

John C. Breckinridge

American general and Vice President
Born
January 16th, 1821 204 years ago
Died
May 17th, 1875 150 years ago — 54 years old

Served as the 14th Vice President of the United States from 1857 to 1861. Preceded in office by William R. King, assumed office under President James Buchanan. Breckinridge was a member of the Democratic Party and had previously represented Kentucky in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. During the American Civil War, served as a general in the Confederate Army, leading troops in several battles. After the war, resided in Cuba and later returned to practice law.

Continue Reading

Yvonne Loriod

French pianist and composer
Born
January 20th, 1924 101 years ago
Died
May 17th, 2010 15 years ago — 86 years old

A prominent pianist and composer, contributions included significant works in contemporary classical music. Loriod was celebrated for interpretations of works by her husband, composer Olivier Messiaen. She played a vital role in presenting many of his compositions and recognized the need for expanded performance techniques. Loriod also contributed to piano repertoire, composing original works that are performed by pianists worldwide. Affiliation with the Paris Conservatory further cemented her influence in the music education field.

Continue Reading

Vangelis

Greek composer of electronic music
Born
March 29th, 1943 82 years ago
Died
May 17th, 2022 3 years ago — 79 years old

A celebrated Greek composer and keyboard player, made significant contributions to electronic music. Gained worldwide fame for composing film scores, particularly for 'Chariots of Fire' which won an Academy Award for Best Original Score. Also created the iconic score for 'Blade Runner', which became highly influential in the genre. Worked extensively with synthesizers and innovative techniques that shaped modern soundtracks. Released numerous albums that explored various musical styles and themes throughout a prolific career.

Continue Reading

Ken Venturi

Golf champion and sportscaster
Born
May 15th, 1931 94 years ago
Died
May 17th, 2013 12 years ago — 82 years old

Accomplished golfer and sportscaster achieved significant recognition in the golfing world. Won the 1964 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club after overcoming a severe personal challenge. Transitioned to a long career in broadcasting with CBS Sports, where provided insightful commentary and analysis of golf tournaments. Contributed to the sport's popularity through a unique ability to connect with audiences.

Continue Reading