August 23 birthdays and deaths:

Yevgeny Prigozhin

Yevgeny Prigozhin is a Russian businessman and founder of the private military company Wagner Group. Born in 1961, he rose to prominence as a key figure in Russian military intervention abroad, allegedly leading mercenaries in Ukraine and Syria. His exact role has remained somewhat mysterious.

Deathyear: 2023

William Wallace

William Wallace, a Scottish knight and freedom fighter, led a rebellion against English rule in 13th-century Scotland. He won a stunning victory at Stirling Bridge, but was ultimately betrayed and captured after the Battle of Falkirk.

Deathyear: 1305

Dmitry Utkin

Dmitry Utkin, a Russian army officer, founded Wagner Group in 2014. Little is known about his early life, but he rose through the ranks to become a prominent figure in Russian private military contracting, playing a key role in Ukraine and Syria conflicts. His current whereabouts are unknown.

Deathyear: 2023

Abu Bakr

Abu Bakr (573-634 CE) was the first caliph of Islam after Prophet Muhammad's death. A close companion and father-in-law of the Prophet, he established the Rashidun Caliphate, expanding Islamic territories and solidifying Islamic law.

Deathyear: 634

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, was a prominent English politician and courtier during the early 17th century. Born in 1592, he served as Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire and was a favorite of King James I, holding various high-ranking positions.

Deathyear: 1628

Caesarion

Caesarion, son of Julius Caesar and Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII, was declared co-ruler of Egypt at birth. He became pharaoh at age 4 but was eventually murdered at the age of 17 in 30 BC, marking the end of the Ptolemaic dynasty and ancient Egypt's independence.

Deathyear: -30

Rudolph Valentino

Rudolph Valentino was a charismatic Italian actor who captivated audiences with his dashing good looks and brooding intensity on screen. Born Rodolfo Alphonso Raffaello Pierre Filibert Gnocchi in 1895, Valentine became a Hollywood icon, starring in films like "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" and "The Son of the Sheik".

Deathyear: 1926

Sacco and Vanzetti

Bartolomeo Vanzetti, an Italian-born anarchist, was wrongly convicted of murdering a gas station attendant in 1920. His trial was met with controversy and protests, as many believed he was unfairly targeted due to his anarchist beliefs. He was executed in 1927, sparking outrage and international condemnation.

Deathyear: 1927

Sacco and Vanzetti

Nicola Sacco, an Italian-born anarchist, was wrongly convicted of murdering a guard and a bystander during a 1920 robbery in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Despite overwhelming evidence of his innocence, Sacco was electrocuted in 1927 for crimes he did not commit.

Deathyear: 1927

Abdulmejid II

Abdülmecid II was the 35th and last Ottoman sultan, ruling from 1909 to 1922. Born in 1868, he was deposed and exiled after the Ottoman Empire's defeat in World War I. He died in 1944 at the Robert College in Istanbul.

Deathyear: 1944

Oscar Hammerstein II

Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) was a renowned American director, producer, and composer. He is best known for his iconic collaboration with Richard Rodgers on musicals like Oklahoma!, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music, which revolutionized the art form and continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Deathyear: 1960

Brock Peters

Brock Peters is an American actor, born on July 17, 1927, best known for his roles in films such as "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Star Trek." He has had a long and illustrious career in Hollywood, appearing in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions.

Deathyear: 2005

Kathleen Freeman

Kathleen Freeman was an American actress born in 1919. With a career spanning over 60 years, she appeared in over 200 films and TV shows, including "General Hospital," "Barney Miller," and "Sister Act," earning her a Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding ensemble performance.

Deathyear: 2001

David Rose (songwriter)

David Rose (1910-1990) was a renowned American pianist and composer, known for his smooth, elegant style. He wrote popular songs, film scores, and classical compositions, and performed with renowned orchestras.

Deathyear: 1990

Didier Pironi

Didier Pironi was a French racing driver who competed in Formula One and Offshore Powerboat racing. Born in 1952, he enjoyed a successful F1 career with Ferrari, McLaren, and Ligier, with 10 wins and 15 podiums.

Deathyear: 1987

Alfred Eisenstaedt

Alfred Eisenstaedt was a renowned German-American photographer and journalist, best known for his work with Life magazine. He captured iconic images of American life, capturing the era's culture, politics, and sociology from 1936 until his retirement in 1972.

Deathyear: 1995

R. D. Laing

R.D. Laing, a Scottish psychiatrist and philosopher, challenged conventional psychiatry with his anti-psychiatry views. He emphasized the therapeutic value of human relationships and questioned the concept of mental illness. He's known for his influential book "The Divided Self" (1960).

Deathyear: 1989

Oliver Hazard Perry

Oliver Hazard Perry was an American naval commander who played a crucial role in the War of 1812. He is remembered for his bravery and strategic thinking, particularly in the Battle of Lake Erie, where he defeated a British fleet in 1813.

Deathyear: 1819

Bobby Bonds

Bobby Bonds is a legendary American baseball player and manager, born in 1946. Known for his powerful hitting and dominant defense, he played for the San Francisco Giants, California Angels, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees, accumulating over 2,000 hits and 400 home runs throughout his 19-year career.

Deathyear: 2003

Charles-Augustin de Coulomb

Charles-Augustin de Coulomb, a pioneering French physicist and engineer, made significant contributions to the field of electromagnetism. He formulated the theory of electrical attraction and repulsion, and developed instruments for measuring electric current and magnetism.

Deathyear: 1806

Jerry Nelson

Jerry Nelson was a renowned American puppeteer and voice actor, best known for his work on Sesame Street. He performed and voiced characters like Count von Count, Mr. Johnson, and Count's sister, Countess von Backwards.

Deathyear: 2012

Isabella of Aragon, Queen of Portugal

Isabella of Aragon, Queen of Portugal, was the eldest daughter of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. Born in 1470, she married King Manuel I of Portugal in 1495, becoming Queen of Portugal and bearing him several children, including the future King John III.

Deathyear: 1498

Maynard Ferguson

Maynard Ferguson was a renowned Canadian trumpet player and bandleader, known for his powerful and agile playing style. As a big band leader, he won multiple Grammy Awards and was renowned for his energetic live performances and arrangements of jazz standards.

Deathyear: 2006

Increase Mather

Increase Mather was a prominent American minister and author, born in 1639. He was a leading figure in the Puritan movement and authored several influential books, including "A Relation of an Apparition" and "Magnalia Christi Americipis", which chronicled the early history of American colonization.

Deathyear: 1723

Adolf Loos

Adolf Loos, an Austrian architect and theorist, designed the iconic Villa Müller (built 1912) in Prague, showcasing his modernist and Art Nouveau styles. Born in 1870, Loos was a pioneer of functionalist architecture, emphasizing simplicity and functionality.

Deathyear: 1933

Francis X. Bushman

Francis X. Bushman was a pioneering American actor, director, and screenwriter, best known for his roles in silent films. Born in 1883, Bushman was a major star of the early cinema era, starring in over 100 films and directing several more.

Deathyear: 1966

Hoyt Wilhelm

Hoyt Wilhelm, nicknamed "Old Surface", was a record-breaking pitcher and coach in Major League Baseball. Born in 1922, he played for 21 seasons, earning 315 wins and 1,070 strikeouts, and coached several teams, including the Atlanta Braves.

Deathyear: 2002

Hoot Gibson

Hoot Gibson, a pioneering American actor, director, and producer, enjoyed a six-decade career in Hollywood. Born in 1892, he appeared in over 200 films, showcasing his versatility in dramas, comedies, and Westerns.

Deathyear: 1962

Marcus Antonius Antyllus

Marcus Antonius Antyllus, a Roman soldier and great-nephew of Mark Antony, was born in 47 BC. He was the son of Antonius Hybrida and his wife, Octavia Minor, making him Mark Antony's nephew and a member of the Roman aristocracy.

Deathyear: -30

Eric Gairy

Eric Matthew Gairy, the 1st Prime Minister of Grenada, was a remarkable figure. He was an educator and politician who played a vital role in Grenada's independence. Born in 1922, Gairy served as Prime Minister from 1974 to 1979.

Deathyear: 1997

Deodoro da Fonseca

Deodoro da Fonseca, a field marshal and politician, was the first President of Brazil (1889-1891). Born in 1827, he led the military coup that overthrew the Empire of Brazil, establishing the First Brazilian Republic. He served as president for two years, shaping Brazil's new government.

Deathyear: 1892