February 11 birthdays and deaths:

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston was a renowned American singer-songwriter, producer, and actress. Born in 1963, she catapulted to stardom with her powerful voice and iconic hits like "I Will Always Love You" and "I Wanna Dance with Somebody."

Deathyear: 2012

Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet, novelist, and short story writer known for her intense and emotional writing style. Born in 1932, she struggled with mental illness and suicidal thoughts, yet her work continues to captivate readers with its dark, confessional, and deeply personal exploration of the human experience.

Deathyear: 1963

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen was a renowned English fashion designer, known for his avant-garde and dramatic designs. Founded in 1992, his eponymous brand showcased his incredible talent and innovative approach to fashion.

Deathyear: 2010

Frank Herbert

Frank Herbert was an American journalist and author best known for his science fiction novels, particularly "Dune". He wrote 18 novels and several short stories, exploring complex social and environmental issues through compelling narratives.

Deathyear: 1986

René Descartes

René Descartes, a French mathematician and philosopher, is best known for his philosophical statement "I think, therefore I am" (Cogito, ergo sum). He made significant contributions to mathematics, including the development of Cartesian geometry.

Deathyear: 1650

Elizabeth of York

Elizabeth of York was the daughter of Edward IV and sister of the Princes in the Tower, who mysteriously disappeared. She married Henry VII and became the first Tudor queen, uniting the houses of York and Lancaster.

Deathyear: 1503

Lee J. Cobb

Lee J. Cobb was a renowned American actor, born in 1911. He was known for his powerful stage presence and versatility on the screen, appearing in iconic films like "The Ten Commandments" and "Spartacus". He was a three-time Academy Award nominee for his performances.

Deathyear: 1976

Jerry Tarkanian

Jerry Tarkanian is a legendary basketball coach, born in 1930. He coached the UNLV Runnin' Rebels to a national championship in 1990 and accumulated 648 wins in his collegiate coaching career, becoming one of the most successful coaches in NCAA history.

Deathyear: 2015

Roger Vadim

Roger Vadim, a French film director, producer, and screenwriter, was born in 1928. He is best known for his provocative and stylized films, including "And God Created Woman" and "Barbarella", which showcased his fascination with beauty, fashion, and the human condition.

Deathyear: 2000

Heraclius

Heraclius was a Byzantine emperor who ruled from 610-641. Born in 575, he successfully defeated the Sassanid Persians in the Byzantine-Sassanid War, saving the empire from destruction. He also reorganized the Byzantine military and promoted the veneration of icons.

Deathyear: 641

William Conrad

William Conrad was an American actor, director, and producer, born in 1920. He gained fame for his deep, resonant voice and notable roles in films and TV shows, including "Cannon" and "Murder, She Wrote".

Deathyear: 1994

Vic Damone

Vic Damone, the smooth-voiced American pop singer, songwriter, and actor, was born on June 16, 1928. He rose to fame in the 1940s and '50s with hits like "You Were Meant for Me" and "On the Sunny Side of the Street".

Deathyear: 2018

Sorrell Booke

Sorrell Booke was a renowned American actor and director, born on January 4, 1930. He is best known for his iconic role as Boss Hogg on the TV series "The Dukes of Hazzard" (1979-1985), showcasing his versatility and mastery of southern charm.

Deathyear: 1994

The Dave Clark Five

Rick Huxley was a British bass guitarist and founding member of the band The Dave Clark Five. Born on August 17, 1940, Huxley played with the band from 1957 to 1970, contributing to hits like "Catch Us If You Can" and "Come Home."

Deathyear: 2013

Sergei Eisenstein

Sergei Eisenstein was a pioneering Russian director and screenwriter, known for his innovative filming techniques and epic historical dramas. He introduced montage editing and visual storytelling in his iconic films such as "Battleship Potemkin" (1925) and "Bewitching Hour" (1926).

Deathyear: 1948

Kevin Randleman

Kevin Randleman was an American mixed martial artist and wrestler born in 1971. A pioneer of the sport, he is a UFC Heavyweight Champion and Olympic silver medalist in wrestling. Known for his aggressive fighting style, Randleman had a successful career spanning over a decade.

Deathyear: 2016

Eleanor Powell

Eleanor Powell, a radiant American actress and dancer, captivated audiences with her sparkling energy and impressive tap dance skills, starring in films like "42nd Street" and "Lady Be Good," earning her the nickname "The Queen of Tap."

Deathyear: 1982

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was a renowned Indian lawyer and politician who served as the 5th President of India from 1974 until his death in 1977. Born in 1905, Ahmed was a strong advocate for social and economic justice, promoting Indian independence and unity throughout his illustrious career.

Deathyear: 1977

Estelle Bennett

Estelle Bennett, American singer, was born in 1941. As part of the 1960s girl group The Ronettes, she sang hits like "Be My Baby" and "Walking in the Rain". Her distinctive vocals and style contributed to the group's signature sound, earning her a lasting place in music history.

Deathyear: 2009

Gordian III

Gordian III, born in 225, was a Roman emperor who ruled from 238 to 244. A reluctant emperor, he was declared emperor after the death of Gordian I. He fought against the Persians, but suffered defeat at the Battle of Misiche in 244, leading to his own assassination.

Deathyear: 244

Peter Benchley

Peter Benchley (1940-2006) was a bestselling American author and screenwriter, best known for his thriller novel "Jaws" (1974), which became a huge success and was adapted into a hit film. He wrote 11 novels and several screenplays, often exploring oceanic and aquatic themes.

Deathyear: 2006

Jamnalal Bajaj

Jamnalal Bajaj was a renowned Indian businessman and philanthropist, born in 1884. He was a pioneer of the Indian textile industry, founder of Bajaj Group, and a devoted philanthropist, establishing schools, hospitals, and other charitable institutions.

Deathyear: 1942

Barry Foster (actor)

Barry Foster was a renowned English actor, born in 1931. He is best known for his iconic roles in the 1970s, including the titular character in "Suspicious Activity" and the titular serial killer in "The Laughing Politician". Foster's versatility and range earned him critical acclaim throughout his career.

Deathyear: 2002

Elizabeth Siddal

Elizabeth Siddal was a talented English poet and artist's model, born in 1829. She modeled for Dante Gabriel Rossetti, whose muse she became. A tragic figure, she struggled with depression and addiction, and took her own life in 1862, leaving behind a legacy of her poetic works.

Deathyear: 1862

Tom Lantos

Tom Lantos, a Hungarian-born American lawyer and politician, served as Representative from California's 12th congressional district (1981-2008). A strong advocate for human rights, he was the only survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp among American politicians.

Deathyear: 2008

Paul Feyerabend

Paul Feyerabend was a prominent Austrian-Swiss philosopher and academic, known for his provocative and influential works on the philosophy of science, skepticism, and anti-realism. His book "Against Method" (1975) critically examined the scientific method and challenged dominant scientific paradigms.

Deathyear: 1994

John Buchan

John Buchan, a Scottish-Canadian historian and politician, served as the 15th Governor General of Canada from 1935 to 1940. Born in 1875, he was an accomplished historian and novelist before entering politics, serving as a diplomat, journalist, and eventually Canada's Governor General during World War II.

Deathyear: 1940

Neil Bonnett

Neil Bonnett was an American CART and NASCAR driver who competed from 1969 to 1993. Born in 1946, he won 35 IndyCar and 18 NASCAR races, earning top-10 finishes in the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500.

Deathyear: 1994

Fab Melo

Fab Melo, born Fabiano Fabio Nascimento de Andrade e Silva in Vitória, Brazil, is a professional basketball player who has played in the NBA and internationally. He was born on June 24, 1990, and has represented Brazil at the FIBA World Cup and Pan American Games.

Deathyear: 2017

Henry Hathaway

Henry Hathaway was an American film executive, director, and producer who had a prolific career in Hollywood. Born in 1898, Hathaway directed over 60 films, including westerns and dramas, and collaborated with notable actors like John Wayne and Montgomery Clift.

Deathyear: 1985

George O'Hanlon

George O'Hanlon was a renowned American actor and voice artist, born in 1912. He voiced Droopy the Clown in Looney Tunes cartoons and acted in numerous films and TV shows, including "The Honeymooners" and "The Twilight Zone."

Deathyear: 1989

James B. Conant

James Bryant Conant was a renowned American chemist and academic, born in 1893. He made significant contributions to the fields of chemistry and education, serving as the President of Harvard University from 1933 to 1953 and transforming the institution into a major research hub.

Deathyear: 1978

Milan I of Serbia

Milan I of Serbia, born on August 22, 1855, was the Prince of Serbia from 1860 to 1882. He was a member of the Obrenović royal dynasty and ruled during a period of significant reforms, including the modernization of the Serbian army and the expansion of education.

Deathyear: 1901

Asma Jahangir

Asma Jahangir was a Pakistani human-rights lawyer and social activist who dedicated her life to fighting for marginalized groups, particularly women and minorities. She was a vocal critic of religious extremism and military dictatorships, earning her numerous awards and recognition for her tireless advocacy work.

Deathyear: 2018

Lord Kitchener (calypsonian)

Lord Kitchener is a Trinidadian calypsonian singer, songwriter, and composer. Born in 1922, he is known for his vibrant, energetic performances and witty, satirical lyrics. With a career spanning over 60 years, he has been a major figure in the development of calypso music.

Deathyear: 2000

Léon Foucault

Léon Foucault was a French physicist and academic who made significant contributions to the fields of optics and astronomy. Born in 1819, Foucault is best known for his work on the rotation of the Earth, demonstrating the Earth's rotation using a Foucault pendulum.

Deathyear: 1868

Ernest Jones

Ernest Jones was a renowned Welsh neurologist and psychoanalyst, born in 1879. He was a prominent figure in the development of psychoanalysis, known for his work on the psychology of children and his publications on the subject.

Deathyear: 1958

Pope Gregory II

Pope Gregory II (669-682) was a prominent leader in the early Christian Church. He is remembered for his efforts to combat iconoclasm and his role in the development of the Carolingian Renaissance. He also played a significant role in the early days of the Catholic Church.

Deathyear: 731

Alexander Griboyedov

Alexander Griboyedov (1795-1829) was a Russian poet, playwright, and composer. Known for his witty humor and satire, he penned the famous play "Woe from Wit," which remains a beloved classic of Russian literature. His melodies and poetry also showcased his versatility and creativity.

Deathyear: 1829

Charles Algernon Parsons

Charles Algernon Parsons, a pioneering English-Irish engineer, invented the steam turbine in 1884, revolutionizing power generation. Born in 1854, Parsons' innovative design improved efficiency and scalability, transforming industrial processes and paving the way for widespread electrification.

Deathyear: 1931

Bob Simon

Bob Simon was a renowned American journalist who survived a plane crash in Iraq in 2003, an experience he detailed in his memoir "Sometimes in December". As a correspondent for CBS News, Simon covered wars, natural disasters, and historical events, earning multiple Emmy Awards for his reporting.

Deathyear: 2015