August 27 birthdays and deaths:

Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma

Louis Mountbatten, born in 1900, was a distinguished English admiral and politician. He served as the 44th Governor-General of India from 1947 to 1952 and played a key role in the country's transition to independence. He was also known for his bravery and leadership during World War II.

Deathyear: 1979

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Stevie Ray Vaughan was a renowned American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer, known for his incredible blues-rock sound and virtuosic guitar playing. With albums like "Texas Flood" and "Soul to Soul", he electrified audiences with hits like "Pride and Joy" and "Love Struck Baby".

Deathyear: 1990

Haile Selassie

Haile Selassie I, the last Emperor of Ethiopia, ruled from 1930 to 1974. A member of the Solomonic dynasty, he modernized Ethiopia while maintaining traditional political and cultural practices. He also served as a strong advocate for African unity and decolonization.

Deathyear: 1975

W. E. B. Du Bois

W.E.B. Du Bois was a pioneering American sociologist, historian, and activist who advocated for racial equality. A co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), he fought against racial segregation and discrimination through his writings and research.

Deathyear: 1963

Ernest Lawrence

Ernest Lawrence, a pioneering American physicist, invented the cyclotron, a groundbreaking particle accelerator. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1939 for his innovative contributions to nuclear physics and the discovery of many new radioisotopes.

Deathyear: 1958

Brian Epstein

Brian Epstein (1934-1967) was a British entrepreneur and music manager who discovered and mentored the Beatles, playing a pivotal role in their rise to fame. His business acumen and passion for music made him a legendary figure in the entertainment industry.

Deathyear: 1967

Le Corbusier

Le Corbusier, a pioneering Swiss-French architect and urban planner, designed the iconic Philips Pavilion for the 1958 World's Fair in Brussels. Born in 1887, Le Corbusier's innovative designs blended functionality and aesthetics, revolutionizing modern architecture.

Deathyear: 1965

Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark

Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, born on December 13, 1906, was a member of the Greek and Danish royal families. She married Prince George, Duke of Kent, and was known for her philanthropic work and her popularity among the British people during the World War II era.

Deathyear: 1968

Douglas Kenney

Douglas Kenney, a pioneer of American comedy, co-founded The Second City and wrote for Saturday Night Live. As a writer, actor, and producer, Kenney's notable works include Caddyshack and National Lampoon's Animal House.

Deathyear: 1980

Titian

Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) was a renowned Italian painter (1488-1576), known for his vivid oil paintings, particularly in the Venetian Renaissance style. He taught art and was a mentor to younger artists, including the likes of Palma Giovane and Saraceni.

Deathyear: 1576

Gracie Allen

Gracie Allen was a beloved American actress and comedian, known for her zany antics and wit as part of the iconic comedy duo George Burns and Gracie Allen. Born in 1895, Allen's endearing naivety and quick wit left audiences in stitches throughout her illustrious career.

Deathyear: 1964

Luna Vachon

Luna Vachon was a pioneering Canadian-American wrestler and manager, born in 1962. Known for her fiery personality and dominating presence in the ring, she made a name for herself in various promotions, including the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), and later became a successful manager and trainer.

Deathyear: 2010

Greg Morris

Greg Morris, an American actor, was born on September 24, 1933. He is best known for his role as Barney Collier on the popular 1960s TV series "Mission: Impossible." Morris also appeared in numerous films and stage productions throughout his career.

Deathyear: 1996

John Laurens

Here is 40 words about John Laurens, American Revolutionary and abolitionist: John Laurens, born 1754, was an American Revolutionary War officer and abolitionist. He advocated for slaves' freedom, was the first to propose emancipation, and even freed his own slaves. His courageous stance against slavery made him a pioneer for the cause.

Deathyear: 1782

Charles Evans Hughes

Charles Evans Hughes (1862-1948) was a renowned American lawyer and politician who served as the 11th Chief Justice of the United States from 1930 to 1941. He also served as Secretary of State from 1921 to 1925 and was a prominent figure in Republican politics.

Deathyear: 1948

Hrishikesh Mukherjee

Hrishikesh Mukherjee was a renowned Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his iconic comedy films and memorable characters. With a career spanning over five decades, he left an indelible mark on Hindi cinema, earning the nickname "The King of Comedy" in Bollywood.

Deathyear: 2006

Darryl Dawkins

Darryl Dawkins, born in 1957, is a retired NBA center and coach. Known for his powerful dunks and charismatic personality, Dawkins played for the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, and Golden State Warriors before becoming a coach in the NBA and overseas leagues.

Deathyear: 2015

Bennett Cerf

Bennett Cerf, a renowned American publisher, co-founded Random House in 1925. Born in 1898, Cerf served as a naval officer during World War I and went on to establish a prestigious publishing house, becoming a prominent figure in the literary world.

Deathyear: 1971

Margaret Bourke-White

Margaret Bourke-White was a pioneering American photographer and journalist, known for her groundbreaking work in Vietnam and the Soviet Union. She was the first female war correspondent and the first foreign photographer to be accredited by the Soviet Union.

Deathyear: 1971

Josquin des Prez

Josquin des Prez (c. 1450-1521) was a renowned Flemish composer of the Renaissance, known for his masterful polyphony and melodic craftsmanship. He worked at the French court and wrote Masses, motets, and chansons that showcased his innovative and elegant compositional style.

Deathyear: 1521

Pope Sixtus V

Pope Sixtus V (1521-1590) reigned from 1572 to 1590. A fierce reformer, he purged the Roman Curia of corruption and nepotism, rebuilt St. Peter's Basilica, and canonized 42 saints. His papacy was marked by controversy, power struggles, and controversy surrounding his family's rise to power.

Deathyear: 1590

Erika Mann

Erika Mann, born in 1905, was a German actress, author, and activist. She wrote satirical novels and plays, often criticizing Nazi politics. She co-authored "Liliom" with Ferenc Molnár and was known for her wit and sharp intelligence, speaking out against oppression and supporting socialist causes.

Deathyear: 1969

Rufus Wilmot Griswold

Rufus Wilmot Griswold was a prominent American literary figure, born in 1815. He compiled the renowned poetical anthology, "The Poets and Poetry of America," and served as the editor of Poe's collected works.

Deathyear: 1857

Lope de Vega

Lope de Vega, the most renowned Spanish playwright and poet, born in 1562, wrote 1,800 dramas, including "Peribáñez y Baltasar" and "La Dorotea". His works exhibit mastery of language, plot, and character development, cementing his position as a literary giant of the Spanish Golden Age.

Deathyear: 1635

Valeri Kharlamov

Valeri Kharlamov was a Russian ice hockey player who revolutionized the sport in the 1970s. He won multiple championships with CSKA Moscow and the Soviet Union national team, earning him the nickname "The King of Russian Hockey." His contributions to the development of Russian hockey are still celebrated today.

Deathyear: 1981

Childe Hassam

Childe Hassam was a renowned American painter and academic, born in 1859. Known for his Impressionist and Fauvist styles, Hassam created vibrant, dreamlike landscapes and cityscapes. He befriended fellow artists like Edward Hopper and John Sloan, and was a founding member of the American Impressionist group, the Ten American Painters.

Deathyear: 1935

Francisco de Zurbarán

Francisco de Zurbarán (1598-1664) was a renowned Spanish painter, known for his realistic and dramatic depictions of saints, monks, and everyday life. As a professor at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Seville, he taught many notable artists, leaving a lasting impact on Spanish art.

Deathyear: 1664

Cesare Pavese

Cesare Pavese (1908-1950) was a renowned Italian author, poet, and critic. His works often explored themes of human struggle, politics, and the complexity of Italian identity. Pavese's writing style was characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and poetic depth, earning him critical acclaim and a lasting literary legacy.

Deathyear: 1950

Little Saint Hugh of Lincoln

Little Saint Hugh of Lincoln was a young boy mysteriously murdered in 1255, allegedly at the hands of Jewish people, sparking anti-Semitic violence and executions during the First Edict of Expulsion. He was canonized a saint in the 13th century, becoming a symbol of Christian innocence and martyrdom.

Deathyear: 1255

Malcolm Browne

Malcolm Browne was an American journalist and photographer who chronicled the Vietnam War. He took iconic photos of the war, including the infamous Zapruder-like footage of the self-immolation of Thich Quang Duc, a Buddhist monk.

Deathyear: 2012

Hélder Câmara

Hélder Câmara was a Brazilian archbishop and theologian, known for his commitment to social justice and human rights. He served as Archbishop of Olinda and Recife from 1964 to 1985, advocating for the poor and oppressed, earning him the nickname "Father of the Poor".

Deathyear: 1999

Tomás Luis de Victoria

Tomás Luis de Victoria (c. 1548-1611) was a renowned Spanish composer of Renaissance music. He excelled in the genres of sacred polyphony and motets. Victoria's compositions, characterized by their beauty and simplicity, continue to be admired for their tranquil and contemplative qualities.

Deathyear: 1611

Sergey Mikhalkov

Sergey Mikhalkov is a renowned Russian author, playwright, and poet, born in 1913. He is best known for his patriotic and historical works, often incorporating national themes and motifs. Mikhalkov's writing often explores Russia's rich cultural heritage and its tumultuous past.

Deathyear: 2009