What Happened This Year 1966

People Who Died in 1966

Peter Illing

British film and television actor
Born
March 4th, 1899 127 years ago
Died
1966 60 years ago — 67 years old

Austrian born actor migrated to Britain and appeared in numerous films and television series. Illing's career spanned several decades, beginning in the 1930s. Major roles included performances in 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' and 'The Lady Vanishes'. His television work included roles in series such as 'The Avengers'.

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Richard Fariña

American singer-songwriter and author
Born
March 8th, 1937 89 years ago
Died
1966 60 years ago — 29 years old

Fariña contributed to the folk music revival of the 1960s through his songs and literary works. Collaborated with his wife, Mimi Baez, and gained recognition for the album 'Celebration for a Grey Day' released in 1965. Authored the novel 'Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me', published in 1966, which gained a cult following. His artistic career was cut short by his untimely death in a motorcycle accident in 1966.

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Hannes Kolehmainen

Finnish-American long-distance runner
Born
December 9th, 1889 136 years ago
Died
1966 60 years ago — 77 years old

Born in Finland, became prominent in long-distance running during the early 20th century. Competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics, winning three gold medals in the 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, and cross-country. Additionally excelled in road racing events, gaining recognition for innovative training methods. Migrated to the United States, where continued to promote athletics and inspired future generations of runners.

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Jimmy Seed

Football manager and international player
Born
March 25th, 1885 141 years ago
Died
1966 60 years ago — 81 years old

An English international footballer and manager. Played as a forward for several clubs, including Newcastle United, with notable success. Transitioned to management, leading clubs such as Charlton Athletic. Achieved a remarkable championship victory, guiding Charlton to win the FA Cup in 1947. In addition to club achievements, represented the national team, contributing to the growth of football in England.

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Cordwainer Smith

Sinologist and science fiction author
Born
July 11th, 1913 112 years ago
Died
1966 60 years ago — 53 years old

A prominent sinologist and author, contributions included scholarly works on Chinese culture and language as well as influential science fiction stories. Played a significant role in introducing Asian themes to science fiction through unique narratives. The body of work features fascinating explorations of a future society, showcasing complex characters and imaginative worlds. Influenced the genre with rich storytelling and distinct writing style.

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Howard Kinsey

American tennis player and tournament champion
Born
December 3rd, 1899 126 years ago
Died
1966 60 years ago — 67 years old

Competed primarily in the 1920s and 1930s in tennis, achieving notable success in both singles and doubles play. Achieved significant victories in various tournaments, including winning the U.S. National Championships in 1929. Also excelled in doubles, securing titles at prestigious events. Contributed to the growth of tennis during this era.

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Marguerite Higgins

American journalist and author
Born
September 3rd, 1921 104 years ago
Died
1966 60 years ago — 45 years old

An American journalist and author, this individual gained prominence during the Vietnam War. The journalism career included reporting for the New York Herald Tribune, covering both World War II and the Korean War. Authored 'War in Korea: The Report of a Woman Combat Correspondent,' which documented experiences of combat. Contributed to the coverage of significant global events, becoming one of the first women to report from the front lines.

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Anna Johnson Pell Wheeler

Mathematician specializing in topology
Born
May 5th, 1883 142 years ago
Died
1966 60 years ago — 83 years old

Contributed significantly to the field of topology and made advancements in differential equations. Worked as a professor at several institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley. Published numerous papers that explored the foundations of topology and its applications. Played a critical role in expanding the educational opportunities for women in mathematics and encouraged female students to pursue mathematical studies.

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Renzo Rivolta

Italian engineer, founder of Iso Rivolta
Born
September 5th, 1908 117 years ago
Died
1966 60 years ago — 58 years old

An Italian engineer established a company specializing in automobiles, Iso Rivolta. The company began by producing refrigerators and later shifted focus to motorcycles and then cars. Notable for the production of the Iso Grifo, a luxury sports car, and the Iso Rivolta IR 300, which featured a unique design and performance capabilities. The company gained attention in the 1960s for its innovative engineering and design. Rivolta also made contributions to the automotive industry with his engineering expertise.

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