April 23 birthdays and deaths:

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was a renowned English playwright and poet. He penned iconic works like "Romeo and Juliet" and "Hamlet." His writing mastery of language, complex characters, and exploration of human nature have made him a literary icon, still widely studied and performed today.

Deathyear: 1616

Boris Yeltsin

Boris Yeltsin was a Russian politician who served as the first President of Russia from 1991 to 1999. He played a crucial role in the dissolution of the Soviet Union and is remembered for his efforts to transition Russia to a democratic system.

Deathyear: 2007

James Earl Ray

James Earl Ray was a fugitive who assassinated Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Born in 1928, Ray fled to Canada and Europe to evade capture. He was eventually captured in 1968 and sentenced to 99 years in prison, where he died in 1998.

Deathyear: 1998

Æthelred the Unready

Æthelred "The Unready" (c. 968-1016) was the son of Edmund II "Ironside" and grandson of Edgar the Peaceful. Known for his inactivity and indecision, he ruled England from 978-1016 and faced turmoil, including the St. Brice's Day massacre and the Hastings invasion.

Deathyear: 1016

William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth, an English Romantic poet, was born in 1770. He is famous for his poetry that focuses on the beauty of nature and the human experience. His works include "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" and "Tintern Abbey". Wordsworth was a key figure in the Romantic movement in poetry.

Deathyear: 1850

Satyajit Ray

Satyajit Ray was a renowned Indian filmmaker known for his poignant and visually stunning films that captured the essence of Bengali culture. He is considered a master of world cinema, crafting stories that explored the human condition through his unique cinematic style.

Deathyear: 1992

Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez was a renowned American labor leader who co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) with Dolores Huerta in 1962. He fought for improved working conditions, fair wages, and better lives for farmworkers, inspiring millions with his non-violent civil disobedience and advocacy for labor rights.

Deathyear: 1993

Paulette Goddard

Paulette Goddard was a talented American actress, born on June 3, 1910. She appeared in over 60 films, including "The Romance of a Shop Girl" and "A Tale of Two Cities".

Deathyear: 1990

John Mills

John Mills, a respected English actor, debuted in 1932. He appeared in nearly 130 films, earning an Academy Award nomination for "Ryan's Daughter" (1970). Known for his versatility, he excelled in films like "Great Expectations" (1946) and "Ice Cold in Alex" (1958).

Deathyear: 2005

Orrin Hatch

Orrin Hatch, a prominent American politician, served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate and Utah's senior senator from 1977 to 2019. He was known for his strong conservative views and was a key figure in shaping national healthcare policy.

Deathyear: 2022

P. L. Travers

P.L. Travers, born Helen Lyndon Goff in 1899, was a renowned Australian-English author, actress, and songwriter. She wrote the iconic "Mary Poppins" series, which has been adapted into numerous films and stage productions.

Deathyear: 1996

Howard Cosell

Deathyear: 1995

Johnny Thunders

Johnny Thunders was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the heart of the New York Dolls.

Deathyear: 1991

Otto Preminger

Otto Preminger was a Ukrainian-American actor, director, and producer known for his distinctive voice and versatile style. Born in 1906, he directed iconic films like "Laura" and "The Man with the Golden Arm," earning three Academy Award nominations for his work.

Deathyear: 1986

Æthelred I of Wessex

Æthelred the Unready, King of Wessex from 978-1016, is considered one of England's most infamous monarchs. He is infamous for the mass murder of Danes known as the St. Brice's Day Massacre, as well as his struggle to control Viking invasions and his poor relations with the Church.

Deathyear: 871

Brian Boru

Brian Boru, High King of Ireland (r. 1002-1014), was a renowned Irish king who led the fight against Viking invasions. Born in 941, he united the Irish kingdoms and defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, making him a legendary figure in Irish history.

Deathyear: 1014

Buster Crabbe

Buster Crabbe, a talented American swimmer and actor, was born in 1908. He won two Olympic medals before transitioning to acting, starring in numerous films and TV shows, including the popular sci-fi series "Flash Gordon" (1936).

Deathyear: 1983

Rupert Brooke

Rupert Brooke, a celebrated English poet, was born in 1887. His death at age 27 in World War I silenced his lyricist voice prematurely. His poetry collection "1914 & Other Poems" is renowned for its beautiful and poignant portrayal of war, life, and mortality.

Deathyear: 1915

Boris Godunov

Boris Godunov was a Russian ruler who succeeded Ivan the Terrible in 1598. Despite his efforts to stabilize the Russian Empire, Godunov faced opposition from the nobility and the people, leading to his downfall and eventual assassination by Dmitri Ivanovich, a pretender to the throne.

Deathyear: 1605

Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg

Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, has reigned since 1964. Born on January 5, 1921, he is the oldest grandson of Grand Duchess Charlotte. Prince Jean succeeded his father, Grand Duke Jean, and is married to Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium.

Deathyear: 2019

John Sullivan (writer)

John Sullivan was a British screenwriter, producer, and actor, best known for creating the iconic sitcom "Only Fools and Horses." Born in 1946, Sullivan's work has left a lasting impact on British comedy, entertaining generations with his witty characters and humorous storylines.

Deathyear: 2011

Harold Arlen

Harold Arlen, born Hyman Arluck in 1905, was an American composer of popular music, best known for his iconic songs "Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz and "This Can't Be Love" from Rodgers and Hart's Babes in Arms.

Deathyear: 1986

Mark Shand

Mark Shand, a renowned English conservationist and author, was born in 1951. A passionate advocate for wildlife conservation, he wrote several books on the subject. His tireless efforts have been recognized globally, earning him various awards and honors for his dedication to preserving the natural world.

Deathyear: 2014

Charles G. Dawes

Charles G. Dawes was an American banker and politician who served as the 30th Vice President of the United States from 1925 to 1929. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1925 for his efforts to promote international cooperation and understanding.

Deathyear: 1951

Joh Bjelke-Petersen

I think you meant Joh Bjelke-Petersen, the Australian politician, not New Zealand. Here are 40 words: Joh Bjelke-Petersen was the 31st Premier of Queensland, serving 1968-1987. Born in 1911, he was a key figure in Queensland's conservative politics, known for his authoritarian style and controversies.

Deathyear: 2005

John C. Stennis

John C. Stennis, a prominent Democrat, served as a U.S. Senator from Mississippi from 1947 to 1989. He was a champion of rural development, highway construction, and education, earning the respect of both parties.

Deathyear: 1995

George Adamski

George Adamski was a Polish-American ufologist and author born in 1891. He claimed to have met and communicated with extraterrestrial beings, publishing his encounters in books like "Inside the Space Ships" and "Flying Saucers Have Landed". His work helped popularize the concept of UFOs.

Deathyear: 1965

Maurice, Prince of Orange

Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange (1567-1625), was a Dutch stadtholder and army commander. Nephew of William the Silent, he fought against the Spanish in the Dutch Revolt and led Dutch forces to several victories, earning a reputation as a skilled military leader and hero of the Netherlands.

Deathyear: 1625

David Halberstam

David Halberstam was a renowned American journalist, historian, and author, born in 1934. He was known for his meticulous research and lyrical writing style, producing iconic works like "The Best and the Brightest" and "October 1963," which chronicled pivotal moments in American history.

Deathyear: 2007

Frank Field, Baron Field of Birkenhead

Frank Field is a British Labour Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament forBirkenhead since 1979. He is known for his advocacy on social justice issues, particularly poverty and inequality, and has been a vocal critic of globalization's impact on UK society.

Deathyear: 2024

Konstantinos Karamanlis

Konstantinos Karamanlis was a pioneering Greek lawyer and politician who served as the 172nd Prime Minister of Greece from 1955 to 1961. Born in 1907, Karamanlis played a crucial role in Greece's transition to democracy and was a key figure in modern Greek politics.

Deathyear: 1998

Zhu Xi

Zhu Xi (1130-1200 CE) was a prominent Chinese philosopher and statesman who systematized Neo-Confucian thought. He emphasized the importance of individual moral cultivation, harmony between humans and nature, and the pursuit of wisdom through self-reflection and education.

Deathyear: 1200

Sam Ervin

Sam J. Ervin was a prominent American lawyer and politician, born in 1896. He served as a U.S. Senator from North Carolina from 1954 to 2001, and was a champion of individual liberties and the role of Congress in the federal system.

Deathyear: 1985

Joan of Acre

Joan of Acre, born in 1272, was an English princess and the daughter of King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile. She married Ralph, Earl of Arundel, and had one daughter, Eleanor. Joan was known for her beauty and was a favorite of her father's.

Deathyear: 1307

Dan Kaminsky

Dan Kaminsky is a prominent American internet security researcher born in 1979. He is known for discovering the DNS cache poisoning vulnerability in 2008, a critical flaw that exposed millions of websites to hacking.

Deathyear: 2021

Béla III of Hungary

Béla III of Hungary (c. 1148-1196) was King of Hungary from 1173 to 1196. He was the son of King Géza II and succeeded his father as king. During his reign, he focused on strengthening the kingdom's economy and military, and implemented various administrative reforms.

Deathyear: 1196

Alexander I of Scotland

Alexander I of Scotland, born in 1078, was the King of Scotland from 1107 to 1124. He was the son of King Malcolm III and Margaret of Wessex. Alexander supported the introduction of Christianity to Scotland and was a key figure in the country's early development.

Deathyear: 1124

Red Garland

Red Garland, a renowned American pianist, was born in 1923. Known for his dynamic and swinging style, Garland played with notable jazz musicians such as Miles Davis and John Coltrane. He was a leading figure in the development of modern jazz piano.

Deathyear: 1984

Denis Compton

Denis Compton, a versatile English sportsperson, played cricket and football with distinction. A talented all-rounder, he scored over 7,000 runs in Test cricket and led Arsenal to the 1953 FA Cup title.

Deathyear: 1997

Jim Laker

Jim Laker, a renowned English international cricketer and sportscaster, achieved infamy in 1956 by taking 19 wickets in a single match, a record that still stands today. Born in 1922, Laker's remarkable bowling skills earned him 193 Test wickets and a spot in cricketing history.

Deathyear: 1986

Adalbert of Prague

Adalbert of Prague, a Czech bishop, missionary, and saint, born in 956, was a fervent spreader of Christianity in pagan Europe. He was martyred in 981 while evangelizing the Slavs, earning him veneration as a saint.

Deathyear: 997

Adeliza of Louvain

Adeliza of Louvain, born in 1103, was a noblewoman who married Emperor Henry I of Germany and became Empress. After his death, she remarried King Louis VII of France. She is remembered for her beauty and her significant historical impact in shaping European politics.

Deathyear: 1151

Minamoto no Tametomo

Minamoto no Tametomo, a renowned Japanese samurai, was born in 1139. He was a skilled warrior and leader, serving as a commander in the Genpei War. His most famous victory was the Battle of Dan-no-ura, where he fought bravely alongside his father, Minamoto no Yoshitomo.

Deathyear: 1170

Tony Grealish

Tony Grealish is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in 1956, he played for clubs such as Manchester City, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Barnsley, earning a single cap for the England national team.

Deathyear: 2013

Inca Garcilaso de la Vega

Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, a Spanish writer and historian of noble Inca descent, was born in 1539. He wrote extensively on Spanish conquests in the Americas, including his magnum opus, "Comentarios Reales de los Incas", providing valuable insight into the pre-Columbian society of Peru.

Deathyear: 1616