1978 1980

What Happened This Year 1979

All Events 119 Births 778 Deaths 227

People Who Died in 1979

István Örkény

Hungarian author known for 'Cats' Play

Born

April 5th, 1912 113 years ago

Died

1979 46 years ago — 67 years old

Born in Hungary in 1912, an author and playwright contributed significantly to modern Hungarian literature. Örkény's works often combined absurdity and social criticism, with a focus on the human condition. Most notable is the play 'Tóték' which reflects the absurdity of post-war life. His short stories, particularly those in 'One Minute Stories', showcase a unique blend of humor and tragedy. Örkény's literary career spanned several decades until his death in 1979.

Marie Byles

Australian solicitor and environmentalist

Born

April 8th, 1900 125 years ago

Died

1979 46 years ago — 79 years old

A solicitor by profession, actively engaged in legal advocacy for land and environmental preservation. Contributed to numerous campaigns for the conservation of natural landscapes in New South Wales. Byles was an inaugural member of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and utilized legal frameworks to protect national parks. Authored several works discussing environmental concerns and the importance of nature conservation.