July 29 birthdays and deaths:

Vincent van Gogh

Here are the 40 words about Vincent van Gogh: Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch post-Impressionist painter and illustrator, born in 1853. He's renowned for bold, expressive works like "Sunflowers" and "Starry Night". His innovative style, emotional intensity, and tumultuous life have made him one of the most celebrated artists in history.

Deathyear: 1890

Cass Elliot

Cass Elliot, a pioneering American singer, rose to fame as a member of the Mamas & the Papas in the 1960s. Known for her powerful, soulful voice and distinctive vocals, Elliot went on to have a successful solo career and remains an iconic figure in music history.

Deathyear: 1974

David Niven

David Niven, a charismatic English actor, was born in 1910. Between acting, he served in the Scottish Horse Regiment during WWII. He claimed to have been wounded twice, but it's unknown if this was true. Despite this controversy, he remained a beloved figure in British cinema.

Deathyear: 1983

William Wilberforce

William Wilberforce was a prominent English philanthropist and politician who led the abolition of the British transatlantic slave trade. A devout Christian, he worked tirelessly to end the brutal practice, publishing influential works and advocating for its abolition through parliamentary reforms.

Deathyear: 1833

Robert Moses

Robert Moses, a renowned American urban planner, designed the iconic Northern State Parkway and Southern State Parkway in Long Island, New York. Born in 1888, Moses revolutionized urban development, leaving a lasting impact on modern infrastructure.

Deathyear: 1981

Robert Schumann

Robert Schumann, a prominent German composer and music critic, was born in 1810. Known for his lyrical and expressive compositional style, he created numerous masterpieces, including his famous piano and orchestral works.

Deathyear: 1856

Mickey Cohen

Mickey Cohen, a notorious American gangster, born in 1913, was a key figure in Los Angeles organized crime. He joined the Murder, Inc. gang, served time for tax evasion, and was a close associate of infamous gangster Mickey McGill before founding his own syndicate, controlling LA's underworld.

Deathyear: 1976

Olaf II of Norway

Olaf II Haraldsson, also known as Saint Olaf, was the King of Norway from 1015 until his death in 1028. He was a missionary and a patron of the Church, and was later canonized as a saint.

Deathyear: 1030

Luis Buñuel

Luis Buñuel was a visionary filmmaker, born in 1900 in Calanda, Spain. As a prominent figure in the surrealist movement, he directed over 30 films, blending the bizarre, the absurd, and the fantastical with everyday life, creating a unique cinematic style that continues to influence filmmakers today.

Deathyear: 1983

Bruce Edwards Ivins

Dr. Bruce E. Ivins was a renowned American scientist and bio-defense researcher, known for his groundbreaking work on anthrax and other bacterial pathogens. Born in 1946, he was a leading expert in the field of biodefense and made significant contributions to the development of countermeasures against biological threats.

Deathyear: 2008

Herbert Marcuse

Herbert Marcuse, a prominent German sociologist and philosopher, was born in 1898. He made significant contributions to the Frankfurt School, critiquing capitalism and technocracy. His influential works, such as "Eros and Civilization" and "One-Dimensional Man", challenged societal norms and advocated for revolution and social change.

Deathyear: 1979

Umberto I of Italy

Umberto I, the first King of Italy (1878-1900), played a crucial role in the country's unification. A strong supporter of liberalism and democracy, he worked to establish a constitutional monarchy and promote economic growth, but his assassination in 1900 led to political instability and turmoil.

Deathyear: 1900

Ronald Fisher

Ronald Fisher, a pioneering English biologist and statistician, born in 1890, revolutionized the fields of genetics, evolutionary biology, and statistics. He founded the modern theory of statistical inference and developed the concept of likelihood. His work has had a profound impact on various scientific disciplines.

Deathyear: 1962

Raymond Massey

Raymond Massey was a renowned Canadian-American actor and screenwriter born in 1896. He was known for his distinctive voice and versatility in film and theater, earning two Academy Award nominations and starring in classics like "A Raisin in the Sun" and "East of Eden".

Deathyear: 1983

Nikolai Volkoff

Nikolai Volkoff was a Yugoslav-born American professional wrestler born in 1947. He was best known for his villainous character, often dressed in Soviet Union attire, and feuding with patriotic heroes like "Mr. USA" Chris Young.

Deathyear: 2018

Jerome Robbins

Jerome Robbins was a pioneering American director, producer, and choreographer, best known for his work on the Broadway stage and with the New York City Ballet. He choreographed classic musicals like West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof, earning numerous awards and accolades throughout his illustrious career.

Deathyear: 1998

Tom Snyder

Tom Snyder was a renowned American journalist and talk show host, best known for his late-night TV program "The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder." He interviewed notorious figures like John Lennon, Groucho Marx, and Charles Manson, earning a reputation for his probing and entertaining style.

Deathyear: 2007

Pope Urban II

Pope Urban II (1042-1099) was a prominent Catholic leader who played a key role in the First Crusade. He was born in France and was elected pope in 1085. He is known for his efforts to revive the Crusades and establish the Knights Templar.

Deathyear: 1099

Offa of Mercia

Offa, king of Mercia (732-796), was a powerful and influential leader who united the Anglo-Saxons against the Vikings. He expanded Mercia's borders, built Offa's Dyke, and fortified towns like Chester. Known for his military prowess and cultural achievements, he remains one of England's most notable kings.

Deathyear: 796

Philip I of France

Philip I, also known as Philip the Amable, was the King of France from 1060 to 1108. He was the son of Henry I and Anne of Kiev. Despite his cruel treatment of Jews and Christians alike, he was remembered as a just and fair king.

Deathyear: 1108

Pupienus

Pupienus was a Roman Emperor who ruled briefly in 238 AD. Born in Rome around 178 AD, he was proclaimed Emperor with Balbinus after Gordian III's death. His reign was marked by civil war, and he was killed during a mutiny, ending his six-week reign.

Deathyear: 238

Mike Reid (actor)

Mike Reid is a renowned English comedian, actor, and author, born on May 2, 1940. He's best known for his comedy shows, TV appearances, and writing the hit musical "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Throughout his career, he has entertained audiences with his wit and versatility.

Deathyear: 2007

Harold Sakata

Harold Sakata was a Japanese-American wrestler and actor, born in 1920. He was a professional wrestler and appeared in several films, including the James Bond movie "You Only Live Twice" as a henchman.

Deathyear: 1982

Franz Xaver Wolfgang Mozart

Franz Xaver Wolfgang Mozart, known as Wolfgang, was a renowned Austrian pianist, composer, and conductor. Born in 1791, he was the youngest son of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He composed over 200 works, including symphonies, piano sonatas, and chamber music, showcasing his family's impressive musical legacy.

Deathyear: 1844

Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi

Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was a Nigerian general and politician who served as the 2nd Head of State of Nigeria from 1966 to 1966. Born in 1924, he played a key role in the Nigerian Civil War and oversaw the country's transition from a parliamentary to a republican system.

Deathyear: 1966

Dorothy Hodgkin

Dorothy Hodgkin, a pioneering biochemist and biophysicist, made groundbreaking discoveries on the structure of biomolecules. She won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964 for her work on the structure of insulin and vitamin B12, and was the first British woman to receive the award.

Deathyear: 1994

Christian Benítez

Christian Benítez was an Ecuadorian professional footballer who played for clubs such as DC United, Hull City, and Real Club América. He was known for his speed, skill, and goal-scoring ability, earning him the nickname "Chucho".

Deathyear: 2013

Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby

Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby, was an English nobleman and military leader. Born in 1435, he played a crucial role in the Wars of the Roses, fighting against the Lancastrians. He was a great-uncle to King Henry VII and played a key role in securing the Tudor dynasty's rise to power.

Deathyear: 1504

Pope Urban VIII

Pope Urban VIII (Maffeo Barberini) was the 234th Pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1623 to 1644. A powerful and ambitious leader, he was renowned for his lavish building projects, literary pursuits, and diplomatic finesse, as well as his disputes with Cardinals and the Dutch rebels.

Deathyear: 1644

Chris Marker

Chris Marker, a renowned French photographer and journalist, was born in 1921. He became known for his remarkable photographs and articles that depicted the struggles of the working class and the challenges faced by ordinary people.

Deathyear: 2012

Erich Kästner

Erich Kästner was a German author and poet born in 1899. He was best known for his children's literature, particularly his novel "Emil and the Detectives", which was adapted into a successful film. His works often tackled serious issues, but with a humorous and satirical tone.

Deathyear: 1974

Edward Gierek

Edward Gierek was a Polish military officer and politician who served as the First Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party from 1970 to 1980. He implemented economic reforms and sought to improve living standards, earning him the nickname "Gierek the Great".

Deathyear: 2001

Ladislaus I of Hungary

Ladislaus I of Hungary, born in 1040, was the King of Hungary from 1077 to 1095. He centralized power, restored the monarchy's prestige, and promoted Christianity. His reign marked a significant period of expansion, peace, and economic growth in medieval Hungary.

Deathyear: 1095

Roger Williamson

Roger Williamson, a British Formula One driver, tragically died in 1970 at the Dutch Grand Prix. He held the pole position but suffered a fiery accident on the fifth lap, succumbing to flames in his March-Ford car.

Deathyear: 1973

Bruno Kreisky

Bruno Kreisky, a prominent Austrian academic and politician, served as the 22nd Chancellor of Austria from 1970 to 1983. Born in 1911, Kreisky was known for his socialist and liberal views, implementing a range of social and economic reforms during his term in office.

Deathyear: 1990

Oliver Dragojević

Oliver Dragojević is a renowned Croatian recording artist, born in 1947. With a career spanning over five decades, he has released numerous albums, and his unique voice has captivated audiences across the globe. He is considered one of the most influential and beloved Croatian musicians of all time.

Deathyear: 2018

Idris Muhammad

Idris Muhammad is a renowned American drummer and composer, born in 1939. He has collaborated with prominent jazz musicians, including Freddie Hubbard, Sarah Vaughan, and Grover Washington Jr.

Deathyear: 2014

Balbinus

Here is a 40-word summary of Balbinus: Marcus Opeltius Balbinus was a Roman emperor from 238, the year the Roman Empire transitioned from the Severan to the Gordian dynasty. His brief reign lasted only six months before his assassination.

Deathyear: 238

Vladimir K. Zworykin

Vladimir Zworykin, a Russian-American engineer, invented the Iconoscope, a pioneering television camera tube. Born in 1889, he is considered the "Father of Modern Television." His work laid the foundation for modern TV technology, revolutionizing communication and entertainment.

Deathyear: 1982

Foday Sankoh

Foday Sankoh, a Sierra Leonean soldier, founded the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in 1991. Born in 1937, Sankoh previously fought in the Nigerian Civil War and soon led the RUF's brutal insurgency against the government, sparking the 11-year Sierra Leone Civil War.

Deathyear: 2003

Fred Waring

Fred Waring, a renowned American television host and bandleader, was born in 1900. He was the leader of the Pausa Chemicals Band, and his musical variety show "The Fred Waring Show" aired from 1942 to 1961, featuring his signature orchestra and guests, including Perry Como and Bing Crosby.

Deathyear: 1984

Jean-Andoche Junot

Jean-Andoche Junot was a French general born in 1771. He led the French expeditionary corps in Portugal, capturing Lisbon in 1807, and later served as the Governor-General of Provence. Junot was imprisoned by the British in 1814 and died in exile in 1813.

Deathyear: 1813

Nikolai Krylenko

Nikolai Krylenko was a prominent Russian lawyer, jurist, and politician who served as Prosecutor General of the Russian SFSR from 1922 to 1937. Known for his progressive views and efforts to reform the Russian judicial system.

Deathyear: 1938

Andrzej Bogucki

Andrzej Bogucki was a talented Polish actor, operetta singer, and songwriter. Born in 1904, he was renowned for his charismatic performances on stage and screen. With a voice like golden honey, he enthralled audiences with his rendition of famous operettas.

Deathyear: 1978

Bill Todman

Bill Todman was an American screenwriter and producer, best known for creating the hit TV shows "To Tell the Truth" and "A Fool for Love". Born in 1916, he had a long and successful career in television, earning numerous awards and nominations throughout his career.

Deathyear: 1979

Jason Thirsk

Jason Christian Thirsk was an American singer and bassist, best known as a founding member of the punk rock band Pennywise. Born in 1967, Thirsk's music career spanned over two decades before his sudden passing in 1996.

Deathyear: 1996