February 9 birthdays and deaths:

Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon

Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, was the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II and the first British royal to marry a commoner. She married Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960, becoming the first princess to give birth outside of marriage when their daughter, Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, was born in 1963.

Deathyear: 2002

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Fyodor Dostoyevsky was a renowned Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist, and philosopher, known for his penetrating psychological insights and moral complexity. Born in 1821, he explored the human condition in works like "Crime and Punishment" and "The Brothers Karamazov", leaving a lasting impact on world literature.

Deathyear: 1881

Yuri Andropov

Yuri Andropov, born in 1914, was a prominent Russian lawyer and politician. As General Secretary of the Communist Party, he led the Soviet Union from 1982 to 1984, promoting economic reforms and anti-corruption measures. His tenure marked a significant shift in Soviet policies.

Deathyear: 1984

Osamu Tezuka

Osamu Tezuka, known as the "God of Manga," was a pioneering Japanese illustrator, animator, and producer. He pioneered post-WWII Japanese animation and created beloved works like Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion, inspiring generations of artists and animators worldwide.

Deathyear: 1989

Chick Corea

Chick Corea is a renowned American jazz composer and pianist born in 1941. He is a nine-time Grammy Award winner and has played with iconic musicians like Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. Corea has explored various styles, from fusion to Latin jazz, and is considered a master of his craft.

Deathyear: 2021

Miklós Horthy

Miklós Horthy was a Hungarian admiral and politician who served as Regent of Hungary from 1920 to 1944. Despite his efforts to maintain Hungary's independence, he was criticized for his anti-Semitic policies and eventual support for the Nazi regime.

Deathyear: 1957

Jóhann Jóhannsson

Jóhann Jóhannsson was a renowned Icelandic composer and musician, known for his innovative and eclectic style, fusing electronic and acoustic elements. He scored film soundtracks, including "The Theory of Everything" and "Arrival," and received critical acclaim for his orchestral and choral works.

Deathyear: 2018

John Gavin

John Gavin is a renowned American actor and former diplomat, born in 1931. He is best known for his roles in films like "Imitation of Life" and "Psycho". Additionally, Gavin served as the United States Ambassador to Mexico from 1981 to 1986.

Deathyear: 2018

Reg E. Cathey

Reg E. Cathey was a versatile American actor, born in 1958, who made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. With a career spanning over three decades, he appeared in numerous stage productions, films, and television shows, including the hit HBO series "The Wire" and "House of Cards".

Deathyear: 2018

Bill Haley

Bill Haley was a pioneering American musician, best known for his contributions to rock and roll. He formed Bill Haley and His Comets in 1952 and had hits like "Rock Around the Clock" and "Shake, Rattle and Roll".

Deathyear: 1981

Ian Richardson

Ian Richardson (1934-2007) was a Scottish actor known for his resonant voice and versatility. He played iconic roles in "The Madness of King George" (1994) and the BBC's "Smiley's People" (1982), earning him critical acclaim and a devoted fan base.

Deathyear: 2007

Herbert A. Simon

Herbert A. Simon, a renowned American political scientist and economist, pioneered the fields of behavioral economics and decision-making. A Nobel laureate, Simon's work explored the limitations of human rationality, influence, and organizational decision-making.

Deathyear: 2001

George "Gabby" Hayes

George "Gabby" Hayes was a legendary American actor and singer, born in 1885. Known for his distinctive voice and rustic charm, he starred in over 100 films, often as a sidekick to Roy Rogers and other leading men, earning the nickname "Mr. Television" for his prolific work in early TV.

Deathyear: 1969

Minamoto no Yoritomo

Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147-1199) was the founder of the Kamakura shogunate, Japan's first feudal state. A member of the Minamoto clan, he led the Genpei War and defeated the Taira clan, establishing the Kamakura shogunate and becoming its first shōgun in 1185.

Deathyear: 1199

David Wayne

David Wayne was an American actor born on July 30, 1914. He had a long and distinguished career in film and television, appearing in over 200 roles, including "The Alamo" and "M*A*S*H."

Deathyear: 1995

Agnès Sorel

Agnès Sorel was a renowned mistress of Charles VII of France, born around 1421. She was a favorite of the king and held significant influence at court. Her beauty, elegance, and charm won her the admiration of many, solidifying her position as one of the most beloved mistresses in French history.

Deathyear: 1450

Sophie Tucker

Sophie Tucker, born Sophia Kalish in Russia, was a renowned American singer, comedienne, and actress. Known as "The Last of the Red Hot Mamas," she thrilled audiences with her raunchy, provocative songs and charismatic stage presence, earning her the title of "Queen of Comedy" in the 1920s and 1930s.

Deathyear: 1966

Paul Laurence Dunbar

Paul Laurence Dunbar was a renowned American author, poet, and playwright born in 1872. He was the first African American to gain national recognition as a poet and playwright. His works often explored themes of racism, identity, and social justice.

Deathyear: 1906

Frederick III of Denmark

Frederick III of Denmark (1609-1670) was King of Denmark and Norway from 1648 until his death. He implemented the Church Land Act, allowing the Danish Lutheran Church to administer its own properties, and recognized the supremacy of the Danish monarchy over the Swedish Empire.

Deathyear: 1670

J. William Fulbright

J. William Fulbright was a prominent American politician and lawyer, serving as US Senator from Arkansas (1945-1974) and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (1955-1963, 1961-1974). He championed international cooperation and the Fulbright Program for student exchanges.

Deathyear: 1995

Percy Faith

Percy Faith was a renowned Canadian composer and conductor, born in 1908. He led the Columbia Pictures Orchestra and created iconic film scores for Hollywood blockbusters. His smooth, lush orchestral arrangements and romantic style made him a beloved figure in the world of classical music.

Deathyear: 1976

Eddy Duchin

Eddy Duchin was a renowned American pianist, bandleader, and actor, born in Boston in 1910. He led his orchestra at the famed Plaza Hotel in New York City, played with Judy Garland and Ginger Rogers, and starred in the 1942 film "Something for Me".

Deathyear: 1951

Robert Kearns

Robert Kearns, a pioneering American engineer, invented the intermittent windshield wiper in the 1960s, revolutionizing automotive safety. Born in 1927, Kearns fought tirelessly to protect his intellectual property, eventually settling lawsuits with major automakers for millions of dollars in damages.

Deathyear: 2005

Jules Michelet

Jules Michelet was a renowned French historian, philosopher, and academic born in 1798. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential historians of the 19th century, known for his sweeping narratives of French and European history, and his philosophical ideals of republicanism and democracy.

Deathyear: 1874

M. C. Chagla

M.C. Chagla was a renowned Indian jurist and politician who served as the Minister of External Affairs from 1958 to 1962. Born in 1900, he was a prominent figure in Indian politics, known for his diplomatic skills and efforts to strengthen India's international relations.

Deathyear: 1981

Freddie Laker

Freddie Laker, a pioneering English pilot and entrepreneur, founded Laker Airways in 1966. Born in 1922, Laker revolutionized the aviation industry with his innovative airline, offering affordable fares and improving air travel for the masses. His legacy continues to inspire innovation in the aviation sector.

Deathyear: 2006

Hank Bauer

Hank Bauer, a talented American baseball player and manager, was born in 1922. He played for the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox, earning a World Series ring in 1947. He later managed the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees, leading the Yankees to three World Series titles.

Deathyear: 2007

John Hick

John Hick (1922-present) is a prominent English philosopher and academic. A key figure in philosophical theology, he is known for his work on the nature of God, evil, and the question of how to reconcile faith with the existence of suffering.

Deathyear: 2012