August 17 birthdays and deaths:

Ken Miles

Ken Miles was a pioneering British racing driver and engineer, born in 1918. He competed in the 1950s and 1960s, driving for Shelby American and Aston Martin. Miles won numerous races and helped develop the iconic Shelby Cobra. Despite his impressive career, Miles sadly died in a crash testing a Ford GT40.

Deathyear: 1966

Rudolf Hess

Rudolf Hess, a German army officer and Nazi politician, served as Hitler's deputy. In 1941, he flew solo to Scotland to negotiate peace with the British, leading to his capture and spending the rest of WWII in prison. He hanged himself in prison in 1987.

Deathyear: 1987

Frederick the Great

Frederick the Great, King of Prussia (1712-1786), was a highly intelligent and ambitious leader who expanded Prussia's territory through military conquests and administrative reforms. Despite his flaws, he is considered one of the greatest military strategists in history.

Deathyear: 1786

Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq

Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq was a Pakistani general and politician who served as the 6th President of Pakistan from 1978 to 1988. He played a key role in the 1977 military coup and introduced Islamic laws in Pakistan, implementing strict Sharia laws and clampdown on opposition.

Deathyear: 1988

Vivian Vance

Vivian Vance, a talented actress and singer, was born in 1909. She gained fame playing Ethel Mertz on the iconic TV show "I Love Lucy" and won an Emmy for her portrayal.

Deathyear: 1979

Yvonne Craig

Yvonne Craig was a renowned American ballet dancer and actress, born in 1937. She began dancing at age 4 and went on to perform with the San Francisco Ballet and the Los Angeles Opera. She also appeared in various films and TV shows, including the iconic TV series "Batman."

Deathyear: 2015

Paul Williams (The Temptations singer)

Paul Williams, a renowned American singer-songwriter, and choreographer, was born in 1939. With a career spanning over six decades, he has won numerous awards, including multiple Grammy Awards, and has worked with iconic artists such as the Muppets, Elvis Presley, and Barbra Streisand.

Deathyear: 1973

Pearl Bailey

Pearl Bailey was a renowned American actress, singer, and humanitarian. Born in 1918, she was known for her powerful voice, charming stage presence, and iconic roles in film and TV.

Deathyear: 1990

Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr. was the son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and served as a U.S. Representative from New York's 20th congressional district from 1949 to 1971.

Deathyear: 1988

José de San Martín

José de San Martín was a prominent Argentinian general and politician who played a key role in Argentina's independence from Spain.

Deathyear: 1850

Ira Gershwin

Ira Gershwin, the iconic American songwriter, was born on December 6, 1896. Known for his clever lyrics and piano compositions, he collaborated with his brother George Gershwin to create timeless classics like "Rhapsody in Blue" and "An American in Paris". He also wrote "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" and many more.

Deathyear: 1983

Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Charlotte Perkins Gilman was a pioneering American sociologist and author, born in 1860. She wrote influential works like "The Yellow Wallpaper", which exposed the horrors of Patriarchal society.

Deathyear: 1935

Ray Chapman

Ray Chapman was an American baseball player who played for the Cleveland Indians from 1912 to 1920. On August 16, 1920, he died from a beaning injury sustained during a game against the Chicago White Sox, becoming one of the last American League players to die in a World Series-related incident.

Deathyear: 1920

Victoria Shaw (actress)

Victoria Shaw, born Patricia Potter, was an Australian-American actress, active from the 1950s to the 1970s. She appeared in feature films, television shows, and stage productions, often playing glamorous and sophisticated roles.

Deathyear: 1988

Madan Lal Dhingra

Madan Lal Dhingra, born in 1883, was an Indian revolutionary who assassinated Maxim Shivaram Pillai, a British police officer, in London in 1909. This act sparked a wave of Indian nationalism and became a symbol of resistance against British rule.

Deathyear: 1909

Arthur Hiller

Arthur Hiller was a renowned Canadian actor, director, and producer born in 1923. He is best known for directing films like "The Out-of-Towners" and "Silver Streak," and was the president of the Directors Guild of America from 1987 to 1993.

Deathyear: 2016

Eddie Griffin (basketball)

Eddie Griffin is a retired American basketball player born in 1982. He played in the NBA for eight seasons, earning NBA Rookie of the Year in 2001. Griffin's career was marked by struggles with weight and injuries, but he remained a dominant presence on the court.

Deathyear: 2007

Francesco Cossiga

Francesco Cossiga was a renowned Italian lawyer and politician who served as the 8th President of Italy from 1985 to 1992. Born in 1928, he was a key figure in Italian politics,known for his strong personality and decisive leadership. He passed away on August 17, 2010.

Deathyear: 2010

Wilhelm List

Wilhelm List was a German field marshal who played a significant role in World War II. Born in 1880, List was a veteran of World War I and went on to serve in various high-ranking positions, including as Commander-in-Chief of Army Group A during the invasion of Poland.

Deathyear: 1971

Jack Walker

Jack Walker (1929-present) is a British entrepreneur and former chairman of Walker Group, a Scottish construction and property development company.

Deathyear: 2000

Matthew Boulton

Matthew Boulton, a pioneering English businessman and engineer, co-founded Boulton and Watt in 1775 with James Watt, revolutionizing industry with the development of steam-powered machinery. Born in 1728, Boulton's innovative designs and manufacturing expertise transformed the textile and mining industries.

Deathyear: 1809

Lorenzo Da Ponte

Lorenzo Da Ponte was a renowned Italian playwright and poet, born in 1749. He collaborated with Mozart to create famous operas like "The Marriage of Figaro" and "Don Giovanni". His writings showcased immense creativity and wit, earning him lasting recognition in the world of opera.

Deathyear: 1838

Jack Sharkey

Jack Sharkey, born Joephus Aaron Fetchik in 1902, was an American boxer and referee. He won the world heavyweight title in 1932, defeating Jack Dempsey, and later refereed fights, including Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling in 1936.

Deathyear: 1994

Edmund Dudley

Edmund Dudley was an English politician who served as Speaker of the House of Commons from 1514 to 1519. Born in 1462, he rose through the ranks of Henry VIII's court, becoming a trusted advisor and serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer before facing execution in 1510 for treason.

Deathyear: 1510

Conrad Aiken

Conrad Aiken (1889-1973) was an American literary polymath, renowned for his innovative poetry, poignant short stories, and satirical novels. A Pulitzer Prize winner in poetry, Aiken's work often explored themes of isolation, mortality, and the human condition, reflecting his complex and introspective nature.

Deathyear: 1973

Eustace IV, Count of Boulogne

Eustace IV, Count of Boulogne (1130-1153), was a French nobleman and Crusader. He participated in the Second Crusade and served as a vassal to the Kingdom of Jerusalem. He died in 1153 during the siege of Ascalon.

Deathyear: 1153