January 21 birthdays and deaths:

Vladimir Lenin

Vladimir Lenin was a Russian revolutionary, politician, and lawyer who played a key role in the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. He served as the first head of the Soviet Union from 1922 until his death in 1924.

Deathyear: 1924

George Orwell

George Orwell was a renowned British author, born in 1903, best known for his dystopian novella "1984" and allegorical animal farm. His works often critiqued totalitarianism, imperialism, and social class, showcasing his mastery of satire, politics, and literary genius.

Deathyear: 1950

Louis XVI

Louis XVI, King of France from 1774 to 1792, was a weak and indecisive ruler who failed to address the country's financial and social problems, leading to the French Revolution, his execution in 1793, and the end of the monarchy. He married Marie Antoinette in 1770.

Deathyear: 1793

Louie Anderson

Louie Anderson is a renowned American comedian and actor born in 1953. He rose to fame with his witty humor and expressive face. He created the popular cartoon series "Life with Louie" and has appeared in various TV shows and films, showcasing his versatility.

Deathyear: 2022

Terry Jones

Terry Jones, a pioneering Welsh actor, director, and screenwriter, best known for co-founding Monty Python, wrote and directed numerous comedic plays, films, and documentaries. He was a unique and innovative talent, bringing laughter and joy to audiences worldwide.

Deathyear: 2020

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer

Carl Switzer, also known as "Alfalfa," was a child actor who starred in Our Gang shorts in the 1930s. After retiring from acting, he became a hunting guide in Oklahoma, where he tragically died in 1959 while working as a hunting guide.

Deathyear: 1959

Peggy Lee

Peggy Lee was a renowned American singer, songwriter, and actress, known for her velvety smooth voice and impressive vocal range. With a career spanning over six decades, she released numerous hits, including "Why Don't You Do Right?" and "Fever".

Deathyear: 2002

Jack Lord

Jack Lord, a pioneering figure in television, starred as Steve McGarrett in the iconic series "Hawaii Five-O" (1968-1980). With a career spanning over six decades, Lord's versatility as an actor, director, and producer left an enduring mark on the entertainment industry.

Deathyear: 1998

Cecil B. DeMille

Cecil B. DeMille was a pioneering filmmaker who directed over 70 films, including "The Ten Commandments" and "Samson and Delilah". He was known for his visually striking and dramatic films, and won an Oscar for "The Greatest Show on Earth" in 1953.

Deathyear: 1959

Jackie Wilson

Jackie Wilson was an American R&B singer, known for his powerful vocals and energetic stage presence. Born in 1934, he rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s with hits like "Lonely Teardrops" and "Your Love Is Incredible". Wilson's music blended rock, pop, and soul elements.

Deathyear: 1984

Emiliano Sala

Emiliano Sala was an Argentine professional footballer who played as a striker for Nantes and Tottenham Hotspur. Born on November 31, 1990, he tragically passed away on January 21, 2019, in a plane crash at the age of 28.

Deathyear: 2019

Mrinalini Sarabhai

Mrinalini Sarabhai was a renowned Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and instructor, renowned for her exquisitely nuanced Bharatanatyam performances. A Padma Bhushan awardee in 1992, she revolutionized Indian classical dance by fusing traditional and contemporary styles.

Deathyear: 2016

Ann Sheridan

Ann Sheridan, a legendary American actress, was born on February 1, 1915. Known for her ravishing beauty, charming on-screen presence, and distinctive voice, she starred in over 90 films, including "Angels with Dirty Faces" and "Kiss Me Deadly", cementing her status as a Hollywood icon of the Golden Age.

Deathyear: 1967

Gojong of Korea

Gojong of Korea (1852-1919) was the last monarch of the Joseon Dynasty and the first emperor of the Korean Empire. Proclaimed emperor in 1897, he modernized Korea, restored royal authority, and navigated foreign pressures.

Deathyear: 1919

James Beard

James Beard, a pioneering American chef and author, revolutionized American cookery with his books and cooking classes. Born in 1903, Beard advocated for local and seasonal ingredients, traditional cooking techniques, and the preservation of American culinary heritage. His legacy continues to inspire chefs and home cooks alike.

Deathyear: 1985

Georges Méliès

Georges Méliès, a pioneering filmmaker, actor, and producer, revolutionized the art of cinema. Born in 1861, Méliès directed over 500 films, including fantastical and imaginative works like "A Trip to the Moon" (1902), showcasing his creative genius and influencing generations of filmmakers.

Deathyear: 1938

Susan Strasberg

Susan Strasberg was a prolific American actress, born in 1938. She made her stage debut at 12 and went on to appear in numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, earning a Tony Award nomination for her performance in "The Diary of Anne Frank" in 1955.

Deathyear: 1999

Michael Winner

Michael Winner was a renowned English filmmaker, known for directing over 50 feature films. Born in 1935, Winner's notable works include "Death Wish" and "The Mechanic." He was also a skilled photographer and wine connoisseur, often showcasing his love of fine wine in his autobiography.

Deathyear: 2013

Yemelyan Pugachev

Yemelyan Pugachev, a Cossack, led a massive peasant rebellion against Catherine the Great's government in 1773-1775. Dubbed the "Pugachev Uprising", it was one of the most significant peasant rebellions in Russian history, resulting in the exile or execution of many rebels and the rethinking of serfdom policies.

Deathyear: 1775

Rash Behari Bose

Rash Behari Bose was a pioneering Indian independence activist who founded the Indian National Army in 1941. Born in 1886, he worked tirelessly for independence, advocating for Indian self-rule and military mobilization against British colonial rule. His leadership played a crucial role in the formation of the Azad Hind Government.

Deathyear: 1945

E. V. V. Satyanarayana

E. V. V. Satyanarayana is a renowned Indian filmmaker, known for his versatility as a director, producer, and screenwriter. With a career spanning over three decades, he has directed films that have won numerous awards, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in Indian cinema.

Deathyear: 2011

Billy Tipton

Billy Tipton (1914-1989) was a talented American pianist and saxophonist who performed with notable jazz musicians, including Harry "Sweets" Edison and Anita O'Day. Despite being a woman, Tipton lived as a man, using various identities and living as someone of the opposite sex throughout her life.

Deathyear: 1989

Eddie Graham

Eddie Graham (1930-2005) was a legendary American wrestler and promoter. A two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, he was known for his technical grappling skills and charismatic personality. He also promoted wrestling events in Florida and the Southeastern United States.

Deathyear: 1985

Mustafa III

Mustafa III (1717-1774) was the Ottoman Sultan from 1757 to 1774. Known for his love of falconry, he was a patron of the arts and architecture. He also expanded the Ottoman Empire's borders through military conquests and diplomatic treaties.

Deathyear: 1774

Bassel al-Assad

Bassel al-Assad (1962-1994) was the eldest son of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad. He was a military officer and served as the commander of the Republican Guard. He died in a car accident in 1994, before his father's death in 2000.

Deathyear: 1994

Kaye Ballard

Kaye Ballard, born in 1925, was a talented American actress and singer. She gained fame on Broadway, starring in musicals like 'Wonderful Town' and '110 in the Shade.' She also appeared in numerous TV shows, films, and stage productions throughout her long and successful career.

Deathyear: 2019

Lytton Strachey

Lytton Strachey, a renowned English writer and critic, is best known for his groundbreaking biographical works, particularly "Eminent Victorians" and "Queen Victoria," which pioneered a new style of historical writing and revolutionized the genre.

Deathyear: 1932

Charles Goodell

Charles Goodell, born in 1926, was a US Army Lieutenant, lawyer, and politician. As a Republican, he served as a US Senator from New York (1965-1971) before resigning to run for Congress, where he represented New York's 40th District from 1971-1978.

Deathyear: 1987

Henri, Count of Paris (1933–2019)

Henri, Count of Paris, born in 1933, is the head of the House of Orléans, a French royal family. He is the eldest son of Prince Henri, Count of Paris, and Princess Isabelle. He inherits the title of Count of Paris and will inherit the throne of France if the monarchy is restored.

Deathyear: 2019

Elisha Gray

Elisha Gray (b. 1835) was an American engineer and inventor who co-founded Western Electric Company with Alexander Graham Bell. He filed a caveat for a telephone invention on February 14, 1876, but lost the priority contest to Bell.

Deathyear: 1901

Leon Brittan

Leon Brittan, born in 1939, was a prominent English politician and lawyer. He served as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills from 1994-1995 and was a key player in shaping British trade and economic policies.

Deathyear: 2015

Alexander Herzen

Alexander Herzen (1812-1870) was a prominent Russian philosopher and author. He was a fierce critic of socialism and capitalism, advocating for a syncretic philosophy that incorporated elements of realism, romanticism, and mysticism.

Deathyear: 1870

Ibrahim Rugova

Ibrahim Rugova was a Kosovo journalist, politician, and founding father of the Kosovo independence movement. He led the Kosovo Liberal League for the rights of Kosovo Albanians and became the first President of Kosovo after its declaration of independence in 2008.

Deathyear: 2006

Camillo Golgi

Camillo Golgi was an Italian physician and pathologist who pioneered the development of histopathology. He discovered the Golgi apparatus, a cellular organelle, and developed the Golgi stain, a histological staining technique. His work earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1906.

Deathyear: 1926

Marie Prevost

Marie Prevost was a talented actress and singer, born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1896. She began her career on the vaudeville circuit, transitioning to film in the 1910s. She became a popular leading lady in silent films and early talkies, starring opposite leading men like Charlie Chaplin.

Deathyear: 1937

Baron d'Holbach

Baron d'Holbach, a prominent 18th-century French-German philosopher and author, was born in 1723. He was a key figure in the Enlightenment, advocating for reason, skepticism, and secularism. His writings critiqued established authority and promoted tolerance and social justice.

Deathyear: 1789

Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury

Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, was a prominent English politician and Chancellor of the Exchequer. Born in 1621, he played a key role in the Exclusion Crisis and was a strong opponent of King Charles II's second marriage to Catholic Mary of Modena.

Deathyear: 1683

Theodor Kittelsen

Theodor Kittelsen was a renowned Norwegian painter and illustrator, born in 1857. He is celebrated for his enchanting depictions of Norwegian folklore, mythology, and nature. His vivid watercolors and illustrations have captured the hearts of the Norwegian people and continue to inspire artists and collectors worldwide.

Deathyear: 1914

Harris Wofford

Harris Wofford, a pioneering American politician, author, and civil rights activist, served as a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania (1991-1995) and was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, marrying civil rights leader and singer Alice Walker.

Deathyear: 2019

George Moore (novelist)

George Moore (1852-1933) was a renowned Irish author, poet, and critic. Born in Dublin, he was a leading figure in the Irish literary revival. His novels, such as "Esther Waters" (1894), explored themes of Irish identity, morality, and the human condition, earning him critical acclaim.

Deathyear: 1933

Lamar Williams

Lamar Williams, born 1949, was an American bass guitarist best known for his work as a member of the Allman Brothers Band and later as a founding member of the Gregg Allman Band.

Deathyear: 1983

Charlie Gehringer

Charlie Gehringer was a legendary American baseball player and manager. Nicknamed "The Ginger" for his bright red hair, he played 19 seasons for the Detroit Tigers, earning 7 All-Star selections and winning the 1945 MVP award, before managing the Cincinnati Reds from 1942-1956.

Deathyear: 1993

Pope Paschal II

Pope Paschal II (b. 1050) was a French clergyman who served as Pope from 1099 to 1118. He is known for his conflicts with the Holy Roman Emperor Henry V and his efforts to reform the Catholic Church.

Deathyear: 1118

George Washington Goethals

George Washington Goethals was an American general and engineer who played a key role in the construction of the Panama Canal. As chief engineer, he oversaw the canal's completion, using innovative engineering techniques and perseverance to overcome daunting challenges.

Deathyear: 1928

Marcus Borg

Marcus Borg is a prominent American scholar, theologian, and author, known for his work on biblical scholarship and Christian theology. Known for his progressive and liberal views, Borg has written extensively on Jesus, the Bible, and the Christian faith, making biblical studies accessible to a wide audience.

Deathyear: 2015