What Happened This Year 2001

People Who Died in 2001

Joseph Greenberg

American linguist and typologist
Born
May 28th, 1915 110 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 86 years old

Contributed significantly to the field of linguistics. Developed a classification system for languages based on their structural features. Published influential works on language universals and typology, establishing the Greenbergian typology framework utilized in linguistic studies. Conducted extensive research on the African languages and proposed hypotheses on their relationships, influencing future research in historical linguistics. Held academic positions at prestigious institutions, shaping the study of language through teaching and mentorship.

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Salem al-Hazmi

Terrorist and hijacker of Flight 77
Born
February 2nd, 1981 44 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 20 years old

Born in Saudi Arabia in 1981, engaged in the September 11 attacks. Hijacked American Airlines Flight 77, which was crashed into the Pentagon. Coordinated with other hijackers as part of a larger group involved in planned attacks on U.S. soil. Operated under the directive of terrorist organizations with goals to incite fear and promote their ideology.

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Robert Leckie

American soldier and author of war stories
Born
December 18th, 1920 105 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 81 years old

Served as a United States Marine during World War II, participating in major battles in the Pacific theater. Wrote extensively about military experiences and history, with notable works including 'Helmet for My Pillow' and 'The Old Breed'. His writings provide firsthand accounts of the challenges faced by soldiers in combat. Contributed to the popular understanding of Marine Corps history and culture through detailed depictions of wartime experiences.

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Harold Land

American tenor saxophonist
Born
December 18th, 1928 97 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 73 years old

A prominent tenor saxophonist actively recorded and performed in the jazz genre. Emerged in the 1950s and collaborated with various notable jazz musicians. Contributed significantly to the hard bop movement and had a notable association with the Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet. Released multiple albums as a bandleader, showcasing distinctive improvisational skills and compositions. Continued to perform until the late 1990s, influencing a generation of musicians.

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Bert Sutcliffe

New Zealand cricketer and coach
Born
November 17th, 1923 102 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 78 years old

Represented New Zealand in international cricket from 1948 to 1966. Played as an opening batsman and completed 42 Test matches. Accumulated over 3,000 runs in Test cricket, with 12 centuries. Served as a coach for the national team in the following decades, contributing to the development of cricket in New Zealand.

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Hans Trippel

Engineer, developer of Amphicar
Born
July 19th, 1908 117 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 93 years old

An engineer who contributed significantly to automotive and marine engineering. Developed the Amphicar, the first amphibious automobile to be mass-produced. This vehicle gained attention for its dual capability on land and water, combining automotive design with boat construction. The Amphicar became a symbol of innovative engineering in the 1960s and remains a distinctive example of multi-use vehicles. The design and engineering challenges faced during its development provided valuable insights into both industries.

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Richard Wurmbrand

Romanian pastor and evangelist
Born
March 24th, 1909 116 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 92 years old

A Romanian pastor and evangelist, he founded The Voice of the Martyrs, an organization that supports persecuted Christians worldwide. Wurmbrand spent fourteen years in communist prisons in Romania for his faith, during which he faced severe torture and hardships. After his release, he escaped to the West in 1964, where he spoke about religious persecution and the plight of Christians in Eastern Europe. In 1967, he authored the book 'Tortured for Christ', which detailed his experiences in prison and the suffering of believers under communist regimes. Subsequently, he traveled extensively, raising awareness about religious freedom and advocating for the rights of persecuted Christians globally.

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Joseph Cyril Bamford

Businessman, founder of J.C. Bamford
Born
June 21st, 1916 109 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 85 years old

Founded J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited in 1945, which became a leading manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment. Pioneered the use of backhoe loaders, and his company contributed significantly to innovations in earthmoving machinery. Under leadership, the company expanded globally, establishing a strong presence in several countries. Received multiple awards for contributions to the engineering and manufacturing sectors.

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John C. Lilly

Psychoanalyst and dolphin communication researcher
Born
January 6th, 1915 110 years ago
Died
2001 24 years ago — 86 years old

A psychoanalyst, physician, and philosopher significantly contributed to the study of consciousness and interspecies communication. Developed the sensory deprivation tank to explore altered states of consciousness. Conducted groundbreaking research into dolphin communication, advocating for the ethical treatment of marine mammals. Wrote several influential books encompassing topics of psychology, consciousness, and the mind-body connection.

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