December 21 birthdays and deaths:

George S. Patton

George S. Patton was a US Army general who played a significant role in World War II. He led the Third United States Army in France and Germany, earning a reputation for his aggression and tactical genius.

Deathyear: 1945

F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald was a renowned American novelist and short story writer, best known for his novels about the Jazz Age, particularly "The Great Gatsby". His works are celebrated for their lyrical prose, poignant insights, and poignant portrayals of the American Dream.

Deathyear: 1940

Saparmurat Niyazov

Saparmurat Niyazov, born in 1940, was a Turkmen engineer and politician who served as the first President of Turkmenistan from 1985 until his death in 2006. Known for his authoritarian rule and eccentric policies, he earned the nickname "Turkmenbashi," meaning "Head of the Turkmen."

Deathyear: 2006

Richard Long (actor)

Richard Long (born 1927) is an American actor and director known for his roles in TV shows such as "The Big Valley", "Buck Barnes", and "Limitless" as well as directing numerous films and TV projects, showcasing his versatility in the entertainment industry.

Deathyear: 1974

John Newton

John Newton (1725-1807) was an English naval officer, minister, and hymnwriter. Born into slavery in England, he later became a minister and wrote iconic hymns like "Amazing Grace" and "Glorious Awakening." His life of redemption and redemption inspired countless souls.

Deathyear: 1807

Albert King

Albert King, an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer, was a legendary bluesman known for his powerful, soulful voice and virtuosic guitar playing. Born in 1924, King's influential music spanned multiple genres, including blues, gospel, and R&B, earning him the nickname "The King of the Blues."

Deathyear: 1992

John Eisenhower

John Eisenhower is a renowned American historian, general, and diplomat. Born in 1922, he served as 45th US Ambassador to Belgium. He is the son of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and a decorated veteran, having served in World War II and the Korean War.

Deathyear: 2013

Giovanni Boccaccio

Giovanni Boccaccio was a renowned Italian author, poet, and scholar, known for his lyrical verses and vivid storytelling. His masterpiece, "Decameron", a collection of stories set during the Black Death, showcased his mastery of language and moral insight, cementing his place among the greatest literary figures of Italy.

Deathyear: 1375

Stella Adler

Stella Adler, a renowned American actress and educator, was born in 1901. She co-founded the Actors Studio and taught many famous actors, including Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro. Known for her emphasis on intuition and imagination, Adler's teachings continue to influence the art of acting.

Deathyear: 1992

Billie Whitelaw

Billie Whitelaw was a renowned English actress, born in 1932. She appeared in numerous stage and screen productions, earning a BAFTA nomination for her performance in "The Ondine" (1991). Her impressive career spanned over five decades, showcasing her remarkable talent and versatility as a thespian.

Deathyear: 2014

Bruce McCandless II

Bruce McCandless II (b. 1937) was a trailblazing astronaut who performed the first untethered spacewalk on January 7, 1984, during the STS-41B mission. His iconic moment in space, untethered from the Space Shuttle Challenger, marked a remarkable achievement in space exploration and set the stage for future spacewalks.

Deathyear: 2017

Ted Healy

Ted Healy, a pioneering American comedian and actor, was born on October 1, 1896. Known as the "Minstrel of Mirth," he starred in numerous films and shows, creating the "Three Little Rascals" with the Stooges in the 1930s.

Deathyear: 1937

Carl Van Vechten

Carl Van Vechten was a renowned American author, photographer, and socialite. Born in 1880, he wrote novels, plays, and essays, often exploring racial and social issues. His eclectic photography showcased the Black experience, capturing the essence of Harlem Renaissance figures like Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen.

Deathyear: 1964

Jack Hobbs

Jack Hobbs, a legendary English cricketer, scored 15,609 runs in first-class cricket, holding the record for most centuries (61). After retiring, he became a renowned cricket journalist, writing for The Times and contributing to cricketers' biographies.

Deathyear: 1963

Edgar Bronfman Sr.

Edgar Bronfman, Sr. was a Canadian-American businessman and philanthropist, best known as the CEO of Seagram's and the Hachette publisher. He was also a dedicated philanthropist, supporting various Jewish and educational organizations.

Deathyear: 2013

John Seymour (1474–1536)

John Seymour, a prominent English courtier, was born in 1474. He served as a knight, sheriff, and justice of the peace. Seymour was a favorite of King Henry VII and played a crucial role in the early years of the Tudor dynasty.

Deathyear: 1536

Marguerite de Navarre

Marguerite de Navarre, Queen of Navarre and sister of Francis I of France, was a prominent figure of the French Renaissance. She was a patron of the arts and a writer, publishing her own works, including the spiritual novel "Heptaméron", which was highly acclaimed during her lifetime.

Deathyear: 1549

H. B. Warner

Henry Byron Warner, known as H.B. Warner, was a renowned English actor, born in 1875. He appeared in numerous plays and films, including the iconic 1927 movie "The King of Kings," in which he portrayed Jesus Christ.

Deathyear: 1958

Ernst-Günther Schenck

Ernst-Günther Schenck was a German colonel and physician who served in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Born in 1904, he was known for his involvement in medical experiments on prisoners of war, including the infamous "Ravensbrück experiments" in the Ravensbrück concentration camp.

Deathyear: 1998

Knud Rasmussen

Knut Rasmussen was a Greenlandic anthropologist and explorer who mapped the eastern and western coasts of Greenland. Born in 1879, he was the first Dane to be born in Greenland. He led numerous expeditions, documenting Inuit culture and mapping Greenland's vast wilderness.

Deathyear: 1933

Lion Feuchtwanger

Lion Feuchtwanger was a renowned German-American author and playwright, born in 1884. Known for his engaging historical fiction, he penned classics like "The Jew's Beech" and "Josephus," which captivated audiences worldwide. His works often explored themes of identity, faith, and human perseverance.

Deathyear: 1958

Nikolaas Tinbergen

Nikolaas Tinbergen was a renowned Dutch-English ethologist and ornithologist, Nobel laureate (1954). Born in 1907, he studied animal behavior, specifically chick hatching and bird migration. His groundbreaking work on behavioral ecology and innate behavior earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Deathyear: 1988

Udo Jürgens

Udo Jürgens is a renowned Austrian-Swiss singer-songwriter and pianist born in 1934. With a career spanning over 60 years, he has released numerous albums and composed iconic songs, earning him various awards and recognition.

Deathyear: 2014

James Parkinson

James Parkinson, an English physician and paleontologist, was born in 1755. He is renowned for describing the neurological disorder "shaking palsy" or Parkinson's disease, which bears his name. Meanwhile, his paleontological discoveries of ancient fossils contributed to the field of natural history.

Deathyear: 1824

Paul de Man

Paul de Man (1919-1983) was a Belgian-born philosopher and literary critic who migrated to the US in the 1950s. He was a prominent figure in 20th-century literary theory, known for his work on deconstruction, the importance of reading, and the complexities of literary meaning.

Deathyear: 1983

Vittorio Pozzo

Vittorio Pozzo was an Italian footballer, coach, and manager who played professionally in the early 20th century. He coached the Italian national team to two World Cup titles in 1934 and 1938, and won numerous league and cup titles as a club manager.

Deathyear: 1968

Frank B. Kellogg

Frank B. Kellogg was a prominent American politician, serving as the 45th Secretary of State under President Warren G. Harding. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1929 for negotiating the Kellogg-Briand Pact, an international treaty prohibiting war.

Deathyear: 1937

Kurt Tucholsky

Kurt Tucholsky was a renowned German-Swedish journalist and writer, known for his satirical writings and critiques of politics. Born in 1890, he was a prominent figure in the Weimar Republic's cultural scene, and his works often addressed social and economic issues.

Deathyear: 1935

Peter Canisius

Peter Canisius (1521-1597) was a Dutch Jesuit priest, saint, and renowned educator who wrote a catechism that became a standard text for Catholics worldwide. His dedication to education and catechesis embodied the Jesuit ideal of "cura personalis," earning him reverence as a saint and educator.

Deathyear: 1597

Hafeez Jalandhari

Abu Al-Asar Hafeez Jullundhri was a renowned Pakistani poet and composer, born in 1900. He was known for his extraordinary talent in poetry and music, writing over 40,000 couplets and composing over 500 songs.

Deathyear: 1982

Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah

Al-Mu'izz, Fatimid caliph, ruled Egypt (953-975 CE). Born in 932, he was known for his military campaigns, successful diplomacy, and patronage of arts and literature. His reign saw the peak of the Fatimid Empire's power and cultural achievements.

Deathyear: 975

Enzo Bearzot

Enzo Bearzot was a renowned Italian footballer and manager. Born in 1927, he played for Roma and Lazio before turning to coaching, leading Italy to the 1982 World Cup title and earning a legendary status in Italian football.

Deathyear: 2010