July 26 birthdays and deaths:

Sinéad O'Connor

Sinéad O'Connor is an Irish singer-songwriter known for her powerful, emotive voice and controversial song choices. With a career spanning over three decades, she has released numerous critically-acclaimed albums, including "The Lion and the Cobra" and "Faith and Courage".

Deathyear: 2023

Ed Gein

Ed Gein, born in 1906, is one of the most infamous American serial killers. He murdered at least 2 women in Wisconsin and used their body parts to create clothing and furniture. Gein's gruesome crimes earned him the nickname "The Butcher of Plainfield."

Deathyear: 1984

Olivia de Havilland

Olivia de Havilland is a renowned American actress born in 1916. She rose to fame in the 1940s, starring in iconic films like "Gone with the Wind" and "The Heiress". She won two Academy Awards and was nominated for several others, solidifying her place as a Hollywood legend.

Deathyear: 2020

Eva Perón

Eva Perón, born María Eva Duarte, was an Argentine politician and First Lady of Argentina from 1946 to 1952. Known as "Evita," she was a champion of the working class and women's rights, and played a significant role in shaping Argentine politics.

Deathyear: 1952

Joey Jordison

Joey Jordison is an American musician, best known as the former drummer of the heavy metal band Slipknot. Born in 1975, he formed the band in 1995 and gained international fame with their unique blend of metal, hard rock, and nu metal.

Deathyear: 2021

Robert Todd Lincoln

Robert Todd Lincoln, son of President Abraham Lincoln, was a lawyer and politician who served as the 35th United States Secretary of War. Born in 1843, he played a significant role in American politics, serving in various capacities, including as Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Deathyear: 1926

Sam Houston

Sam Houston, a prominent figure in American history, served as the 7th Governor of Texas and 6th Governor of Tennessee. Born in 1793, he was a skilled general and politician, leading the Republic of Texas to independence from Mexico and shaping its early government.

Deathyear: 1863

William Jennings Bryan

William Jennings Bryan was a prominent American lawyer and politician. He served as the 41st United States Secretary of State from 1913 to 1915. Bryan was a key figure in the Democratic Party and was known for his strong personality and oratory skills.

Deathyear: 1925

June Foray

June Foray is a renowned American voice actress, born in 1917. With a career spanning over 50 years, she has voiced iconic characters in cartoons, anime, and video games, including Rocky the Flying Squirrel in The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show and Nanny in the Rugrats franchise.

Deathyear: 2017

George W. Romney

George W. Romney was a US businessman and politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969. He was born in 1907 and later became a prominent businessman, serving as CEO of American Motors Corporation.

Deathyear: 1995

Diane Arbus

Diane Arbus was a pioneering American photographer and academic, known for her intimate and often unconventional portraits of marginalized individuals, including circus performers, transvestites, and people with disabilities. Her work is characterized by its emotional depth and humanity.

Deathyear: 1971

Russi Taylor

Russi Taylor, born in 1944, was an American voice actress and comedian, best known for her roles as Martin Prince in "The Simpsons" and various Disney characters. Her distinctive voice and extensive experience spanned decades, bringing joy to audiences worldwide.

Deathyear: 2019

Otto of Greece

Otto I was King of Greece from 1832 to 1862. Born in Bavaria in 1815, he was chosen to rule the newly independent Greek state. Despite facing numerous challenges, he played a significant role in shaping Greece's modernization and development.

Deathyear: 1867

Atahualpa

Atahualpa, the Inca emperor, was abducted and murdered in 1533 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro and his men. Despite being offered a large ransom, Pizarro executed Atahualpa on July 26, 1533, a pivotal moment marking the downfall of the Inca Empire and the beginning of Spanish colonial rule.

Deathyear: 1533

W. Averell Harriman

W. Averell Harriman was a prominent American politician and diplomat who served as 11th Secretary of Commerce (1946-1948). He played a key role in shaping post-war international relations, particularly in Asia, and held various cabinet positions, including Secretary of State under John F. Kennedy.

Deathyear: 1986

Matthew Ridgway

Matthew Ridgway was a highly decorated American general born in 1895. He played a key role in World War II's European theater, led the 82nd Airborne Division, and served as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe in NATO from 1952-1959.

Deathyear: 1993

Lupe Ontiveros

Lupe Ontiveros, a pioneering Latina actress, was born in 1942 and appeared in over 260 films and TV shows. She won an Emmy for her role on "Sheriff Hickey" and was a trailblazer for Latinx representation in Hollywood.

Deathyear: 2012

Patti Deutsch

Patti Deutsch was an American voice artist and comedic actress, born in 1943. She was a beloved voice behind many iconic cartoon characters on TV shows, movies, and video games. She also had a successful career in live comedy and improv, entertaining audiences for decades.

Deathyear: 2017

Gottlob Frege

Gottlob Frege was a renowned German mathematician and philosopher, born in 1848. He made significant contributions to the foundations of mathematics and philosophy, particularly in the areas of logic, semantics, and philosophy of language.

Deathyear: 1925

Ann Rule

Ann Rule, a renowned American author and former police officer, born in 1931, is best known for her true crime novels, particularly "The Stranger Beside Me" about serial killer Ted Bundy, whom she worked with at a crisis hotline, unaware of his heinous crimes.

Deathyear: 2015

Mary Wells

Mary Wells, born in 1943, was a renowned American singer-songwriter known for her powerful, soulful voice and hit songs like "You Beat Me to the Punch" and "My Guy," which topped the charts in the 1960s and cemented her legacy as Motown's "Female Vocalist of the Year" in 1964.

Deathyear: 1992

Merce Cunningham

Merce Cunningham, a pioneering American dancer and choreographer, revolutionized modern dance with his innovative, rhythmic, and spatially conscious style. His collaborations with composers like John Cage and minimalist architecture further blurred artistic disciplines, leaving a lasting impact on contemporary dance.

Deathyear: 2009

John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester, was an English poet, courtier, and rakehell. Born in 1647, he was known for his scandalous behavior, witty satire, and poetic genius. His poetry is characterized by his dark humor, wicked wit, and rebellious spirit.

Deathyear: 1680

Pope Paul II

Pope Paul II (1417-1464) was a prominent papal figure. He was known for his diplomatic skills, fostering alliances with European powers and establishing the Gregorian chant in the Vatican.

Deathyear: 1471

James Murray (lexicographer)

James Murray, a renowned Scottish lexicographer and philologist, edited the 10-volume Oxford English Dictionary (OED) from 1879 to 1920. He founded the Dictionary's first office in Oxford, ensuring its completion.

Deathyear: 1915

Winsor McCay

Winsor McCay was a pioneering American cartoonist, animator, and screenwriter, known for his innovative works such as "Little Nemo in Slumberland" and "Gertie the Dinosaur". Born in 1871, McCay's innovative techniques and storytelling abilities left a lasting impact on the world of animation.

Deathyear: 1934

Nikephoros I

Nikephoros I, Emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 802-811, introduced financial reforms and strengthened the administrative system. He resisted the Iconoclastic movement and sought to reassert Byzantine influence in the Mediterranean, but was ultimately killed in battle by the Bulgarians.

Deathyear: 811

John Tukey

John Tukey was a renowned American mathematician and academic born in 1915. As a pioneer in the field of signal processing and data analysis, he introduced the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm and made significant contributions to statistics, time series analysis, and data visualization.

Deathyear: 2000

Carlos Castillo Armas

Carlos Castillo Armas was a Guatemalan general who ruled the country from 1954 to 1957 as an authoritarian leader. He seized power in a military coup, imposing strict control and suppressing opposition. His regime was marked by human rights abuses and economic instability.

Deathyear: 1957

Joe Arroyo

Joe Arroyo was a renowned Colombian singer-songwriter and composer, born in 1955. He blended traditional Colombian rhythms with Afro-Caribbean and Latin American styles, earning him the nickname "El Josephine." Arroyo's energetic live performances and catchy melodies made him a beloved figure in Colombian music.

Deathyear: 2011

Cedric Gibbons

Cedric Gibbons was a British-American art director and production designer, born in 1893. He is best known for his work at MGM Studios, designing iconic film sets and costumes, including Katharine Hepburn's dressing room in "The Philadelphia Story" and the iconic staircase in "Gone with the Wind".

Deathyear: 1960

Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy

Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy (1562-1630), a skilled military leader, expanded Savoy's territories through strategic marriages and battles. He fought against the Spanish and French, securing significant gains and cementing Savoy's position in the region.

Deathyear: 1630

Henri Lebesgue

Henri Lebesgue was a renowned French mathematician and academic, born in 1875. He made significant contributions to real analysis, introducing the Lebesgue integral, a fundamental concept in modern mathematics, and was a prominent figure in the development of modern mathematical analysis.

Deathyear: 1941

Archduke Maximilian Francis of Austria

Archduke Maximilian Francis of Austria (1756-1806) was an Austrian archduke and commander of the Imperial and Royal Army. He played a key role in the Napoleonic Wars, distinguishing himself in the Battle of Brünn and contributing to the eventual downfall of Napoleon's military.

Deathyear: 1801

Rex T. Barber

Rex T. Barber was a renowned American colonel and pilot born in 1917. He earned the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions as a fighter pilot in World War II, shooting down seven Japanese aircraft in a single mission and becoming a legendary figure in American military history.

Deathyear: 2001