William Grut

Swedish pentathlete, Olympic Champion

William Grut - Swedish pentathlete, Olympic Champion
Born

September 17th, 1914
111 years ago

Died

November 20th, 2012
12 years ago — 98 years old

Category

Athletes & Sports Figures

Country

Sweden

Links & References

Born in Sweden, an accomplished pentathlete competed in the modern pentathlon events. Achieved notable success during the 1948 Summer Olympics held in London, where secured a gold medal. Participated in the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, finishing in a commendable position. Contributed to the sport as an athlete over the years, representing Sweden in various international championships.

Gold medalist in modern pentathlon at the 1948 Olympics

Competed in the 1952 Olympics

Other People Born on September 17th

Gerald Guralnik

American physicist and academic
Born
September 17th, 1936 89 years ago
Died
April 26th, 2014 11 years ago — 77 years old

Contributed significantly to the field of physics, particularly in particle physics. Worked on the development of the Higgs boson theory alongside others, which later influenced the discoveries at the Large Hadron Collider. Served as a professor at various academic institutions and published numerous papers on theoretical physics. Engaged in various initiatives to advance scientific research and education throughout a long academic career.

Continue Reading

Stirling Moss

Renowned English racing driver and sportscaster
Born
September 17th, 1929 96 years ago
Died
2020 5 years ago — 91 years old

An iconic figure in motorsport, one of the most successful racing drivers of all time achieved significant success in Formula One during the late 1950s. Competing for teams like Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, and Lotus, recorded 16 Grand Prix victories. This individual was instrumental in promoting motorsport through commentary and analysis after retiring from competitive racing.

Continue Reading

Pixie Geldof

English model and singer-songwriter
Born
September 17th, 1990 35 years ago

Engaged in modeling and music from a young age. Became a prominent figure in the fashion industry, collaborating with various designers and appearing in notable publications. Released music, showcasing talents in songwriting and performance. Gained recognition for distinct style and contributions to the arts.

Continue Reading

Curtis Harrington

American director and screenwriter
Born
September 17th, 1926 99 years ago
Died
May 6th, 2007 18 years ago — 80 years old

This individual directed and wrote several influential films, often associated with the horror genre. Contributions to the film industry included directing 'Night Tide' and 'What's the Matter with Helen?' A unique style combined elements of fantasy and surrealism, establishing a distinctive voice in cinema. The individual also worked in television, directing episodes of shows such as 'The Twilight Zone' and 'The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.'. Lifelong interests in filmmaking began in childhood, leading to a career that spanned several decades.

Continue Reading

Mike Parson

American politician, Governor of Missouri
Born
September 17th, 1955 70 years ago

Served as the 57th Governor of Missouri. Held various political positions within the state, including Lieutenant Governor from 2017 to 2018. In addition to state leadership roles, contributed to agriculture and rural development initiatives. Focused on economic growth, education reform, and public safety during tenure.

Continue Reading

Billy the Kid

American gunman and outlaw
Born
September 17th, 1859 166 years ago
Died
1881 144 years ago — 22 years old

A notorious figure of the Old West, this gunman was involved in numerous gunfights and became well-known for his exploits as a cattle rustler and outlaw. Born in 1859, he operated across several states including New Mexico. The individual was said to have killed eight men by the age of 21 and gained a reputation for his quick draw and sharpshooting skills. His life intersected with notable events such as the Lincoln County War, a conflict between rival factions in the region. He was captured multiple times, yet managed to escape on one occasion, further cementing his legendary status. His life came to an end in 1881 when shot by sheriff Pat Garrett.

Continue Reading

Other People Who Died on November 20th

John Prescott

British politician and Deputy Prime Minister
Born
May 31st, 1938 87 years ago
Died
November 20th, 2024 0 years ago — 86 years old

A prominent British politician and sailor, served as Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007 under Prime Minister Tony Blair. Played a significant role in the Labour Party's return to government after 18 years in opposition. Held various ministerial positions prior to the deputy premiership, including Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions. Represented the Hull East constituency in Parliament for over 30 years, focusing on urban regeneration and public transport issues. Active in the maritime community, achieved significant accomplishments in sailing as well.

Continue Reading

Francis William Aston

Nobel Prize-winning chemist and physicist
Born
September 1st, 1877 148 years ago
Died
November 20th, 1945 79 years ago — 68 years old

Contributed significantly to the field of chemistry and physics through the development of the mass spectrograph. This innovation allowed for precise measurements of atomic masses and the identification of isotopes, which advanced the understanding of chemical elements. Received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1922 for the invention of the mass spectrograph and the discovery of isotopes. Held various academic positions throughout his career and published numerous scientific papers, which furthered research in atomic structure and behavior.

Continue Reading

Denny Barry

Irish Republican hunger striker
Born
July 15th, 1883 142 years ago
Died
November 20th, 1923 101 years ago — 40 years old

Engaged in political activism advocating for Irish independence. Participated in the hunger strikes in 1920s Ireland, which drew attention to the plight of political prisoners. Died on hunger strike in 1923, symbolizing the struggle for Irish freedom and bringing awareness to the cause.

Continue Reading

Jodi Rell

American politician, 87th Governor
Born
June 16th, 1946 79 years ago
Died
November 20th, 2024 0 years ago — 78 years old

Served as the 87th Governor of Connecticut from 2004 to 2011. Prior to the governorship, held the position of Lieutenant Governor from 1997 to 2004. Rell was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives for more than a decade, representing the 107th district. During the governorship, focused on issues such as budget policies, education reform, and health care.

Continue Reading

Buenaventura Durruti

Spanish anarchist soldier and leader
Born
July 14th, 1896 129 years ago
Died
November 20th, 1936 88 years ago — 40 years old

An influential Spanish anarchist and soldier, Durruti played a significant role during the Spanish Civil War. He joined the anarchist movement at a young age and became a prominent figure in the fight against fascism. Durruti led the Durruti Column, a major militia group of anarchists, during the civil war. He was committed to the principles of anarchism and socialism, advocating for workers' rights and social revolution. Durruti died in battle in 1936, leaving a legacy within the anarchist movement.

Continue Reading

Vasilisk Gnedov

Russian soldier and poet
Born
1890 135 years ago
Died
November 20th, 1978 46 years ago — 88 years old

Served as a soldier during World War II. Contributed significantly to Russian literature as a poet, with works reflecting military experiences and the emotional toll of war. Published various poems that showcased the harsh realities faced by soldiers, capturing both the struggle and resilience associated with conflict. Following the war, continued a literary career, focusing on themes of patriotism and sacrifice, influencing future generations of poets in Russia. Engagement in literary circles established a lasting presence in Russian poetry.

Continue Reading