William Kidd

Scottish pirate hunter and privateer

William Kidd - Scottish pirate hunter and privateer
Born

January 22nd, 1645
380 years ago

Died

May 23rd, 1701
324 years ago — 56 years old

Category

Military & Warriors

Country

Scotland

Links & References

Born in 1645 in Scotland, served as a sailor and privateer. Gained notoriety during the late 17th century while undertaking missions to combat piracy. Commanded the adventure ship 'Lauretta' and was granted a privateering commission by the British government. Later faced charges of piracy himself. Captured in 1699, tried, and hanged in 1701. His story contributed to legends surrounding piracy and privateering in the Caribbean.

Commanded the pirate-hunting ship 'Adventure'

Convicted of piracy and hanged in 1701

Other People Born on January 22nd

Joshua Ho-Sang

Canadian ice hockey player, NHL prospect
Born
January 22nd, 1996 29 years ago

Played junior ice hockey with the Windsor Spitfires and the Niagara IceDogs in the OHL. Joined the New York Islanders in the NHL, making his debut in 2016. Ho-Sang earned attention for his offensive skills and creativity on the ice. Throughout his junior career, he showcased his potential as a first-round draft pick in 2014.

Continue Reading

Gillian Shephard

English Educator and Politician
Born
January 22nd, 1940 85 years ago

An educator and politician served as Secretary of State for Education in the UK from 1994 to 1997. Focused on education reform during tenure, advocating for standards in schools and increased parental choice. Held the position of Member of Parliament for North Norfolk from 1987 to 1997, working on various educational and social issues.

Continue Reading

Leon Powe

American basketball player and champion
Born
January 22nd, 1984 41 years ago

Played college basketball at the University of California, Berkeley. Selected by the Boston Celtics in the 2006 NBA Draft. Contributed to the Celtics' championship victory in the 2007-2008 season. Played for several teams during an NBA career, including the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Memphis Grizzlies. Known for strong performance in key playoff games.

Continue Reading

Amos Strunk

American baseball player and manager
Born
January 22nd, 1889 136 years ago
Died
1979 46 years ago — 90 years old

Played in Major League Baseball primarily as an outfielder from 1910 to 1920. Managed multiple teams after his playing career, contributing to the development of the sport. Achieved recognition for his skills on the field and leadership off of it.

Continue Reading

Lev Landau

Physicist and Nobel Prize laureate
Born
January 22nd, 1908 117 years ago
Died
April 1st, 1968 57 years ago — 60 years old

Born in Baku, a significant figure in theoretical physics emerged, contributing extensively to the fields of condensed matter physics and quantum mechanics. Developed the theoretical basis for superfluidity, which earned recognition within the scientific community. Created the Landau-Lifshitz series, a comprehensive set of textbooks that are foundational in physics education. Received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1962 for work on the theory of superfluidity. Held positions at the L.D. Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics, influencing many students and researchers in the field.

Continue Reading

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

German philosopher and playwright
Born
January 22nd, 1729 296 years ago
Died
February 15th, 1781 244 years ago — 52 years old

A key figure of the German Enlightenment, contributed significantly to philosophy and literature. Wrote influential works such as 'Nathan the Wise,' a dramatic poem advocating religious tolerance. Authored 'Laocoon,' which explored aesthetics and the nature of art. Lessing's critique of rationalism and promotion of freedom of thought played a pivotal role in shaping modern philosophy.

Continue Reading

Other People Who Died on May 23rd

Alicia Nash

Physicist and Engineer in Operations Research
Born
1933 92 years ago
Died
May 23rd, 2015 10 years ago — 82 years old

Born in El Salvador, a physicist and engineer specialized in operations research. Studied mathematics and physics at the University of Salvador and later pursued a graduate degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Contributed significantly to the field of optimization in complex systems. Served as an educator, imparting knowledge in mathematical modeling and data analysis. Co-authored several influential papers on optimization techniques and decision-making models. Involved in various projects aimed at improving efficiency in diverse industries through advanced research methods.

Continue Reading

David Smith

Sculptor; known for large steel sculptures
Born
1906 119 years ago
Died
May 23rd, 1965 60 years ago — 59 years old

An influential American sculptor focused on large-scale works created from steel. Worked in the abstract expressionist style, combining industrial materials with artistic vision. Utilized welding techniques to construct geometric shapes and intricate forms, challenging traditional notions of sculpture. Established a distinctive voice in 20th-century art through innovative use of materials and forms. Contributed significantly to the development of modern sculpture through numerous exhibitions, particularly in the late 1940s and 1950s. Recognized as a pivotal figure in American sculpture, with works hosted in major art institutions.

Continue Reading

Aleksey Mozgovoy

Pro-Russian Ukrainian separatist leader
Born
1975 50 years ago
Died
May 23rd, 2015 10 years ago — 40 years old

Led a battalion during the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, advocating for separatist movements. Commanded the Prizrak Brigade, notable for its involvement in several key engagements in Luhansk Oblast. Engaged in both military and political conversations surrounding the conflict, representing the self-declared Luhansk People's Republic. Under leadership, the brigade gained a reputation for its fierce resistance against Ukrainian forces. Death occurred during an ambush, which was linked to the ongoing violence in the region.

Continue Reading

Roger Moore

Actor best known as James Bond
Born
October 14th, 1927 97 years ago
Died
May 23rd, 2017 8 years ago — 89 years old

An English actor and producer, this individual gained recognition for portraying the iconic character James Bond in seven films from 1973 to 1985. This actor's tenure as Bond included titles such as 'Live and Let Die' and 'The Spy Who Loved Me.' Before the Bond series, significant roles included the television series 'The Saint,' where he played Simon Templar. The actor's career spanned several decades, including work in television and film, with a focus on charm and humor in his performances. Additionally, he served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, contributing to humanitarian efforts.

Continue Reading

Sam Snead

Professional golfer and sportscaster
Born
May 27th, 1912 113 years ago
Died
May 23rd, 2002 23 years ago — 89 years old

This individual was a prominent American golfer active from the 1930s to the 1980s. Renowned for a fluid swing style, this golfer won a total of 82 PGA Tour events, tying the record for the most victories in PGA Tour history. A significant accomplishment included winning the Masters Tournament three times, with titles in 1949, 1952, and 1954. Additionally, this individual was a successful sportscaster and analyst, providing insights into the game of golf on various platforms and helping to popularize the sport through media.

Continue Reading

Gene Green

American politician and attorney
Born
October 17th, 1947 77 years ago
Died
May 23rd, 1981 44 years ago — 33 years old

Born in 1947, a career in law led to a political career in the House of Representatives representing Texas's 29th congressional district. Focused on education, health care, and environmental issues during tenure. Served from 1993 until retirement in 2021, contributing to numerous legislative measures.

Continue Reading