What Happened This Year 2019

People Who Died in 2019

Alasdair Gray

Scottish writer and visual artist
Born
1934 92 years ago
Died
December 29th, 2019 6 years ago — 85 years old

A prolific writer and artist, contributed significantly to Scottish literature and visual arts. Achieved recognition for distinctive illustrated novels, with 'Lanark' being a landmark work blending autobiography and fantasy. Advocated for Scottish independence through writings and publicly engaged in political discourse. His artwork included illustrations for his books and public murals, showcasing a unique style that combined realism and surrealism.

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Frank Dobson

British politician, Secretary of State for Health
Born
March 15th, 1940 86 years ago
Died
2019 7 years ago — 79 years old

Served as a politician in the United Kingdom for several decades. Held the position of Secretary of State for Health from 1997 to 1999 in the Labour government led by Tony Blair. Focused on health policy reform and was instrumental in approaching issues related to the National Health Service. Represented the Holborn and St Pancras constituency in Parliament for a significant period.

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Michael Gielen

Austrian conductor and composer
Born
July 20th, 1927 98 years ago
Died
2019 7 years ago — 92 years old

Born in 1927, a prominent conductor and composer, significant contributions to both contemporary and classical music. Held conducting positions with the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra. Played a vital role in the musical direction of multiple renowned orchestras. Engaged with various opera houses and festivals, promoting innovative repertoire and contemporary composers. Composed a number of significant works during a prolific career.

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Fay McKenzie

American actress in film and television
Born
February 19th, 1918 108 years ago
Died
2019 7 years ago — 101 years old

Active in the entertainment industry from the 1930s to the 1960s, gained recognition for appearances in films and television series. starred in the film 'The Hurricane' and made notable guest appearances on popular shows of the time. contributed to the film industry during the Golden Age of Hollywood, showcasing talents in various genres of film. Associated with both dramatic and comedic roles, became a familiar face on screen.

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Cyrus Chothia

Biochemist and molecular biologist
Born
February 19th, 1942 84 years ago
Died
2019 7 years ago — 77 years old

A prominent biochemist and emeritus scientist at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology focused on the structure and function of proteins. Conducted significant research on the evolution of immunoglobulins and protein domains which contributed to the understanding of molecular biology.

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Marcia Falkender

English politician and Baroness
Born
March 10th, 1932 94 years ago
Died
2019 7 years ago — 87 years old

A prominent English politician, held various significant positions within the Labour Party. Served as the private secretary to Harold Wilson during his tenure as Prime Minister, influencing key political decisions. Elevated to the House of Lords as Baroness Falkender, contributed to political discourse and policy development. Engaged in public service, promoting various causes aligned with the Labour Party's ideals.

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Norman Stone

British historian and author of 'Europe'
Born
March 8th, 1941 85 years ago
Died
2019 7 years ago — 78 years old

A prominent British historian and author, contributed significantly to the study of European history. In 1989, published the influential book 'Europe: A History', which provided a wide-ranging account of European events, culture, and politics. Held academic positions at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Oxford and the University of Edinburgh. Served as a director of the Turkish Studies Programme at the University of Edinburgh and contributed to discussions on East-West relations.

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Henri de Contenson

French archaeologist and academic
Born
March 4th, 1926 100 years ago
Died
2019 7 years ago — 93 years old

Specialized in archaeology and contributed significantly to the understanding of South Asian history. Played a pivotal role in excavations and research in India, particularly in sites related to the Indus Valley Civilization. Engaged in numerous academic endeavors, including teaching and publishing important findings regarding ancient societies. Worked on developing preservation methods for archaeological sites and artifacts, influencing future archaeological practices in the region.

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Justin Raimondo

Journalist and author of anti-war works
Born
November 18th, 1951 74 years ago
Died
2019 7 years ago — 68 years old

A prominent journalist and author focused on anti-war commentary and libertarian perspectives. Contributed a significant body of work to the field of political journalism through articles and books. Served as the editorial director of Antiwar.com, a website dedicated to advocating for non-interventionist foreign policies. Critiqued U.S. foreign policy and military interventions, particularly during the Iraq War and the War on Terror. Engaged in public speaking and debates on civil liberties and government overreach.

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