February 10 birthdays and deaths:

Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple, the legendary child star, captivated audiences with her curly locks and charming performances. She went on to become a successful diplomat, serving as a U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia, and holding various other roles in the State Department.

Deathyear: 2014

Arthur Miller

Arthur Miller, a renowned American playwright and author, is best known for works like "Death of a Salesman" and "The Crucible". His plays often explored the human condition, morality, and the American Dream.

Deathyear: 2005

Roy Scheider

Roy Scheider was a renowned American actor and former boxer, best known for his iconic roles in "Jaws" and "The French Connection". With a career spanning over five decades, he delivered memorable performances that captivated audiences worldwide.

Deathyear: 2008

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Laura Ingalls Wilder was a renowned American author, born on February 7, 1867. She is best known for her iconic Little House on the Prairie series, which chronicles her pioneering childhood on the American frontier, blending fact and fiction to create timeless narratives.

Deathyear: 1957

Jim Varney

Jim Varney was a beloved American actor, comedian, and writer, best known for his iconic portrayal of Ernest P. Worrell, a simple-minded but lovable character. He appeared in numerous films, TV shows, and stage productions, entertaining audiences for decades.

Deathyear: 2000

Jan-Michael Vincent

Jan-Michael Vincent is an American actor born in 1944. He is best known for his roles in the TV series "Airwolf" and "Hard Times" opposite Charles Bronson. Vincent has had a prolific acting career, with a wide range of film and television credits to his name.

Deathyear: 2019

Abdul Hamid II

Abdul Hamid II was the 34th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, ruling from 1876 to 1909. Known for his extravagance and authoritarianism, he promoted a policy of "Pan-Islamism" to unite Muslim people worldwide, while domestically, he implemented repressive measures to maintain power.

Deathyear: 1918

AKA (rapper)

Alvin Eugene "AKA" Kitimele, born in 1988, is a South African rapper and record producer. He rose to fame with his unique flow and introspective lyrics, exploring themes of love, politics, and social issues. His debut album, "Stress" (2011), earned him widespread recognition in the SA hip-hop scene.

Deathyear: 2023

Alexander Pushkin

Alexander Pushkin was a celebrated Russian poet and author, known for his contributions to Russian literature. Born in 1799, he is renowned for his lyric poetry, novels, and plays.

Deathyear: 1837

J Dilla

James Yancey, better known as J Dilla, was an American record producer and rapper born in 1974. He is renowned for his innovative and influential production work, often referred to as a genius in the music industry, producing tracks for artists such as A Tribe Called Quest and Busta Rhymes.

Deathyear: 2006

Larry Flynt

Larry Flynt is an American publisher, best known as the founder and publisher of Hustler magazine. Born in 1942, Flynt has been a prominent figure in the adult entertainment industry, often at the center of controversy due to the explicit content of his magazines.

Deathyear: 2021

Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley

Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, was the second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. Born in 1545, he was a great-grandson of Margaret Tudor and the only son of the Earl of Lennox and the Countess of Lennox. A Protestant, Darnley's primary goal was to increase his power and influence.

Deathyear: 1567

Montesquieu

Charles-Louis de Montesquieu, a French lawyer and philosopher, was born in 1689. He is best known for his influential work "The Spirit of the Laws", which emphasized the importance of checks and balances in government, laying the foundation for modern democracy.

Deathyear: 1755

Charlie Wilson (Texas politician)

Charles Wilson, born in 1933, is an American military officer and politician. He served as a Lieutenant in the United States Army and later became a politician, serving as the 17th Director of Central Intelligence from 1993 to 1995.

Deathyear: 2010

Brian Connolly

Brian Connolly was a Scottish singer, best known as the lead vocalist of the pop-rock band The Sweet. Born on October 10, 1945, Connolly rose to fame in the 1970s with hits like "Block Buster!" and "Hell Raiser", iconic representatives of the glam rock movement.

Deathyear: 1997

Wilhelm Röntgen

Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, a German physicist and academic, discovered X-rays in 1895, revolutionizing medical imaging. He received the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901 for his groundbreaking discovery.

Deathyear: 1923

Alex Haley

Alex Haley was an American writer and journalist, best known for his novel "Roots: The Saga of an American Family", which explored his family's history and the transatlantic slave trade. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1977.

Deathyear: 1992

Pope Pius XI

Aquiline-faced Pius XI, born Giacomo Pacelli, was the 259th Pope (1922-1939). Known for opposition to Nazism and Fascism, he penned the 1937 encyclical "Mit Brennender Sorge" condemning Nazi mistreatment of Christians. His papacy saw the Lateran Treaty with Italy and the establishment of Vatican City.

Deathyear: 1939

Joseph Lister

Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister, revolutionized surgery with his pioneering work on antisepsis and antiseptic surgery. He introduced the concept of germ theory, using carbolic acid to sterilize instruments and environments, reducing surgical mortality rates and transforming the field of surgery.

Deathyear: 1912

John William Waterhouse

John William Waterhouse, born in 1849, was an English painter renowned for his evocative, romantic works. Influenced by Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Waterhouse's artistry often depicted mythological and literary themes, showcasing his mastery in capturing intricate details and emotional depth. His legacy endures in the realm of Victorian art.

Deathyear: 1917

Mike Ilitch

Mike Ilitch was a renowned American businessman, born October 20, 1929. He founded Little Caesars Pizza in 1959 and went on to own the Detroit Red Wings and Tigers, bringing professional sports to Detroit.

Deathyear: 2017

Stuart Hall (cultural theorist)

Stuart Hall, a prominent Jamaican-English sociologist and theorist, has made significant contributions to cultural studies, race and identity, and media analysis. His work, particularly "Encoding/Decoding," has influenced media and cultural studies.

Deathyear: 2014

Temür Khan

Temür Khan, the Yuan Dynasty's Emperor Chengzong (1265-1307), was a Mongol emperor who expanded Yuan power, conquered the Dali Kingdom, and codified laws. He also promoted Buddhism and trade, establishing diplomatic relations with China and Southeast Asia.

Deathyear: 1307

Dave Van Ronk

Dave Van Ronk, a legendary American singer-songwriter and guitarist, was born in 1936. He was known as "the Mayor of MacDougal Street" for his iconic performances in Greenwich Village. His music blended folk, blues, and jazz, earning him a devoted following and two Grammy nominations.

Deathyear: 2002

Edgar Wallace

Edgar Wallace, a renowned English author and screenwriter, was born in 1875. Best known for his thriller novels and films, he penned classics like "King Kong" and "The Devil's Disciple", and is often credited with popularizing the thriller genre. His works have been adapted into numerous films and TV shows.

Deathyear: 1932

José Sánchez del Río

José Sánchez del Río was a Mexican martyr and saint who lived from 1913 to 1928. He was a young seminarian who was captured and executed by the Mexican Army for his faith during the Cristero War. He was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 2016.

Deathyear: 1928

Judith Leyster

Judith Leyster was a Dutch golden age painter known for her genre scenes and still-lifes. Born in Haarlem in 1609, she was one of the few female artists of her time. Her work often featured quiet moments of domestic life, showcasing her skill in capturing everyday scenes with wit and warmth.

Deathyear: 1660

Carmen Argenziano

Carmen Argenziano is a veteran American actor, born in 1943. He has appeared in numerous TV shows and films, including "Stargate SG-1" and "Once Fallen". Notable for his rugged, authoritative presence and distinctive voice, Argenziano has become a beloved character actor of his generation.

Deathyear: 2019

Abraham Beame

Abraham Beame, a reform-minded politician, served as the 104th Mayor of New York City from 1974 to 1977. A son of Jewish immigrants, he was born in 1906 and spent much of his career in academia before being elected mayor at the age of 68.

Deathyear: 2001

Baldwin III of Jerusalem

Baldwin III, King of Jerusalem (1130-1162), succeeded his mother Melisende in 1153, ruling alongside his mother until her death in 1161. He maintained a fragile balance between the Crusader nobles and the kings of England and France.

Deathyear: 1163

Pope Leo XII

Pope Leo XII (1760-1829) was a conservative pope who implemented reforms to revive the Catholic Church. He was a strong advocate for the rights of the Church and the papacy.

Deathyear: 1829

Scholastica

Scholastica was a Benedictine abbess and nun who lived in the 6th century. She was known for her prayer and contemplation, and was said to have had a profound spiritual impact on her brother, St. Benedict.

Deathyear: 547

John Comyn III of Badenoch

John "the Red" Comyn (d. 1306) was a Scottish nobleman who was a rival of Robert the Bruce for the throne. He was a powerful and influential lord, holding large tracts of land in Scotland and England.

Deathyear: 1306

Honoré Daumier

Honoré Daumier, a renowned French artist, was born in 1808. As a talented illustrator and painter, he is best known for his biting caricatures exposing social injustices and witty satire that held a mirror to 19th-century society, earning him the nickname "The French Hogarth".

Deathyear: 1879

Sofya Kovalevskaya

Sofia Kovalevskaya, a Russian-Swedish mathematician and physicist, born in 1850, defied societal norms to excel in math and physics. She became the first woman to earn a doctoral degree in Eastern Europe and made significant contributions to the fields of differential equations and partial differential equations.

Deathyear: 1891

Marcel Mauss

Marcel Mauss, a prominent French sociologist and anthropologist, was born in 1872. He developed the concept of "gift economy" and wrote influential works, including "The Gift" and "Seasonal Variations of the Eskimo.

Deathyear: 1950

Billy Rose

Billy Rose, a renowned American composer and songwriter, was born in 1899. He created popular songs like "I Found a Million Dollar Baby" and "Let Me Sing and I'll Be Happy." Rose's work often featured a mix of jazz, pop, and show tunes, earning him a spot in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Deathyear: 1966

Fred Hollows

Fred Hollows was a renowned ophthalmologist who dedicated his life to restoring sight to millions of people worldwide. Born in New Zealand in 1929, Hollows founded the Fred Hollows Foundation, which provides eye care services to those in need, particularly in developing countries.

Deathyear: 1993

Aloysius Stepinac

Archbishop Aloysius Stepinac was a Croatian cardinal, born in 1898. He served as the Archbishop of Zagreb from 1937 until his death in 1960. A strong advocate for Croatia's independence, he was often criticized for his ties to the fascist Ustashe regime and was charged with war crimes in 1946.

Deathyear: 1960

David Thompson (explorer)

David Thompson, a renowned English-Canadian surveyor and explorer, mapped vast areas of North America, including parts of the United States, Canada, and the Rocky Mountains. His meticulous work helped establish the boundaries of British and American territories.

Deathyear: 1857

Edvard Kardelj

Edvard Kardelj was a Slovene general and politician, serving as the 2nd Foreign Minister of Yugoslavia (1945-1953). Born in 1910, he played a key role in the Partisan movement and was a close ally to Josip Broz Tito, shaping Yugoslavia's foreign policy and socialist development.

Deathyear: 1979

William IX, Duke of Aquitaine

William IX, Duke of Aquitaine, born in 1071, was a medieval nobleman and troubadour. He was the Duke of Aquitaine from 1086 to 1126 and is known for his literary works, including poetry and songs, that showcased his love of chivalry and courtly love.

Deathyear: 1127

Ron Ziegler

Ron Ziegler, 14th White House Press Secretary, served under President Richard Nixon from June 1969 to April 1973. Born in 1939, Ziegler was a politician, lawyer, and television producer who was instrumental in shaping the Nixon administration's public image.

Deathyear: 2003