What Happened This Year 1956

People Who Died in 1956

Jim Elliot

American missionary and translator
Born
October 8th, 1927 97 years ago
Died
1956 69 years ago — 29 years old

Worked as a missionary in Ecuador during the mid-20th century. Participated in a mission to the Huaorani tribe, which ultimately led to his death in 1956. Before his death, contributed to the translation of the New Testament into the language of the Huaorani people. His life and mission are chronicled in the book "Through Gates of Splendor", which discusses the events surrounding the mission and the aftermath.

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Frigyes Riesz

Hungarian mathematician and academic
Born
January 22nd, 1880 145 years ago
Died
1956 69 years ago — 76 years old

Contributions to mathematics included significant work in functional analysis and topology. Worked extensively on the Riesz representation theorem. Held a professorship at the University of Szeged, influencing generations of mathematicians. Authored several influential papers and texts on mathematics, enhancing the understanding of complex analysis and measure theory.

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Frank Hague

American politician, Mayor of Jersey City
Born
January 17th, 1876 149 years ago
Died
1956 69 years ago — 80 years old

Served as the 30th Mayor of Jersey City from 1917 to 1947. Held significant influence in local and state politics during tenure. Advocated for infrastructure improvements and city development. Established a strong political machine that controlled Jersey City and impacted New Jersey politics. Was a key figure in the Democratic Party on the state level.

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Lewis Terman

American psychologist and eugenicist
Born
January 15th, 1877 148 years ago
Died
1956 69 years ago — 79 years old

Contributions to psychology included the development of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, which became a widely used tool for assessing intelligence. Terman also promoted eugenics, advocating for the selective breeding of individuals with desired traits. Conducted longitudinal studies on gifted children, significantly influencing educational practices. Served as a professor at Stanford University and authored numerous influential articles and books in psychology.

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Joseph B. Ely

American politician and 52nd Governor
Born
February 22nd, 1881 144 years ago
Died
1956 69 years ago — 75 years old

Served as the 52nd Governor of Massachusetts from 1931 to 1935. Prior to the governorship, held positions including Massachusetts State Senator and Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Focused on economic recovery during the Great Depression, implementing measures to support the state's welfare and unemployment programs.

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B. A. Rolfe

Bandleader and music producer
Born
October 24th, 1879 145 years ago
Died
1956 69 years ago — 77 years old

Involved in music from a young age, led a successful band during the 1920s known for its association with the jazz genre. Produced and arranged numerous recordings, contributing to the popularity of various artists. Also part of the early development of radio programming, influencing broadcasting in the entertainment industry.

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Hans Carossa

German author and poet
Born
December 15th, 1878 146 years ago
Died
1956 69 years ago — 78 years old

Born in 1878, this German author and poet gained recognition for literary works that often explored themes of nature and human experience. His notable novels include 'Der Arzt' and 'Die Freude', which reflect deep psychological insights. In poetry, he integrated personal reflection with wider existential themes. His writings contributed significantly to early 20th-century German literature, and he received the prestigious Goethe Prize in 1946 for his literary achievements.

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Elisabeth of Romania

Queen consort of Greece
Born
October 12th, 1894 130 years ago
Died
1956 69 years ago — 62 years old

Born in Romania, this individual served as Queen consort of Greece from 1921 until the abolition of the monarchy in 1973. As a member of the Romanian royal family, significant familial connections to various European royal houses existed. The individual participated in charitable activities and supported numerous social initiatives during her time as queen consort. The focus remained on cultural and social development in Greece, particularly in areas related to education and healthcare.

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G. W. Pierce

Physicist and academic contributions
Born
January 11th, 1872 153 years ago
Died
1956 69 years ago — 84 years old

Contributions to the field of physics and advancements in electrical engineering were prominent. Developed methods to study wave propagation and authored several significant papers. Served as a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, influencing generations of students. Contributed to research on acoustics and psychoacoustics, impacting the understanding of sound.

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