July 9 birthdays and deaths:

Rip Torn

Rip Torn was a renowned American actor, known for his versatility and intensity. He appeared in over 200 films and TV shows, earning two Emmys and a Tony Award. Born in 1931, Torn was a pillar of the New York City theater scene before transitioning to Hollywood success.

Deathyear: 2019

Zachary Taylor

Zachary Taylor was a renowned American general and politician who served as the 12th President of the United States from 1849 to 1850. He is best known for his military victories in the Mexican-American War and his short-lived presidency.

Deathyear: 1850

Ross Perot

Ross Perot, an American businessman and politician, founded Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and ran independent presidential campaigns in 1992 and 1996, advocating for a balanced budget and reduction of national debt.

Deathyear: 2019

Rod Steiger

Rod Steiger was a renowned American actor, born in 1925. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Charlie Bluhdorn in "The Harder They Fall" (1956) and appeared in films like "On the Waterfront" (1954) and "Doctor Zhivago" (1965).

Deathyear: 2002

Philip V of Spain

Philip V of Spain, born in 1683, was the first Bourbon king of Spain. He imposed French-style centralized government and reformed the military, but his domestic policies were troubled by economic decline and popularity among the high nobility.

Deathyear: 1746

Edmund Burke

Edmund Burke, a renowned Irish-English polymath, made significant contributions to philosophy, politics, and literature. Born in 1729, Burke was a prominent Whig politician, author of "Reflections on the Revolution in France," and a vocal advocate for individual rights and liberties.

Deathyear: 1797

Earl Warren

Earl Warren was a pioneering jurist and politician who served as the 14th Chief Justice of the United States from 1953 to 1969. Under his leadership, the Supreme Court issued landmark decisions, including Brown v. Board of Education, desegregating public schools, and Miranda v. Arizona, protecting individual rights.

Deathyear: 1974

Freddie Jones

Freddie Jones is a renowned English actor, born in 1927. With a prolific career spanning over seven decades, he has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including the popular soap opera "Emmerdale" and the iconic sci-fi series "Doctor Who".

Deathyear: 2019

Isabel Sanford

Isabel Sanford is a beloved American actress, best known for her iconic portrayal of Louise "Weezy" Harris on the CBS sitcom "The Jeffersons" (1975-1985). With a career spanning over five decades, Sanford has won numerous awards and has been celebrated for her remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry.

Deathyear: 2004

Jan van Eyck

Jan van Eyck, a pioneering Dutch painter, was born around 1359. He is renowned for his highly realistic and detailed artworks, particularly his use of oil paints. His most famous work, "Virgin of the Sun," is considered a masterpiece of the Northern Renaissance.

Deathyear: 1441

Fatima Jinnah

Fatima Jinnah, also known as Madar-e-Millat, was a Pakistani dentist and politician. Born in 1893, she was a close friend and confidante of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. She played a significant role in the country's struggle for independence and was a strong advocate for women's rights.

Deathyear: 1967

Georges Bataille

Georges Bataille, a French philosopher, novelist, and poet, was born in 1897. He was a prominent figure in the intellectual movement of the 20th century, known for his work on subjects such as eroticism, sacrifice, and the human condition.

Deathyear: 1962

Báb

Mirza Husayn 'Ali Nuri, known as the Báb, was a Persian religious leader who founded Bábism. Born in 1819, he claimed to be the Harbinger of the Twelfth Imam and wrote extensively on spiritual and philosophical topics, establishing a new mystical-religious movement.

Deathyear: 1850

Alice Paul

Alice Paul was a pioneering American suffragist and women's rights activist who led the National Woman's Party in demanding women's suffrage. She was arrested multiple times for her protests and imprisoned 7 times, refusing to pay fines until women's voting rights were granted.

Deathyear: 1977

Amedeo Avogadro

Amedeo Avogadro was an Italian chemist and academic born in 1776. He is renowned for proposing the concept of Avogadro's number, a fundamental constant in chemistry that represents the number of particles in one mole of a substance, revolutionizing the understanding of atomic theory and chemical reactions.

Deathyear: 1856

Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, was born in 1896 as Princess Charlotte of Saxe-Meiningen. She became Grand Duchess of Luxembourg upon her husband's accession in 1919 and reigned until her husband's death in 1945, playing a significant role in Luxembourg during World War II.

Deathyear: 1985

Whittaker Chambers

Whittaker Chambers, a former Soviet spy, testified against Alger Hiss in the famous Hiss case of the 1940s. Chambers, born in 1901, was a key witness in the trial, identifying Hiss as his former handler in the underground communist movement.

Deathyear: 1961

Melvin Belli

Melvin Belli was a renowned American lawyer known for his flamboyant courtroom style and high-profile cases, including the infamous Patty Hearst kidnapping trial. Born in 1907, Belli was a pioneer in the field of trial law, earning the nickname "The King of Torts" for his advocacy skills.

Deathyear: 1996

Anastasius I Dicorus

Anastasius I Dicorus (430-518) was the first emperor of the Byzantine Empire who was not a member of the previous dynasty. He reigned from 491 to 518 and is notable for his military reforms, administrative changes, and his role in the conversion of the empire to the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Deathyear: 518

John Spinks (musician)

John Spinks, a talented English guitarist and songwriter, co-founded the 80s rock band Mud at age 16. With hits like "Tiger Feet" and "Rocket", Mud rose to fame during the UK's glam rock era, leaving a lasting mark on the music scene.

Deathyear: 2014

King C. Gillette

King Camp Gillette was a pioneering American businessman who founded the Gillette Company in 1901. Born in 1855, Gillette invented the first double-edge safety razor and revolutionized personal grooming. His innovative designs and entrepreneurship made him one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his time.

Deathyear: 1932

Benjamin N. Cardozo

Benjamin Nathan Cardozo was a renowned American lawyer and jurist, serving on the New York Court of Appeals (1914-1926) and the U.S. Supreme Court (1932-1938). Noted for his expertise in contract law and property rights, he was admired for his fairness and integrity.

Deathyear: 1938

Christian Audigier

Christian Audigier is a French fashion designer born in 1958. He gained international fame for his bold, vibrant, and often provocative clothing and accessories. Audigier's eponymous brand and collaborations with musicians and artists have made him a prominent figure in the fashion and lifestyle world.

Deathyear: 2015

Fernando de la Rúa

Fernando de la Rúa, born 1937, served as Argentina's 43rd President from 1999 to 2001. A Peronist, he faced economic crises, leading to his resignation amidst widespread protests and social unrest. His presidency marked a turbulent period in Argentina's history.

Deathyear: 2019

Charles Lane (actor, born 1905)

Charles Lane, a prolific American character actor, was born on January 26, 1905. He appeared in over 200 films and TV shows, often playing gruff authority figures, earning him the nickname "The Dean of Hollywood Character Actors."

Deathyear: 2007

Eileen Ford

Eileen Ford co-founded Ford Models in 1946 with her husband, Jerry, and built the agency into a prestigious modeling powerhouse. She was instrumental in launching the careers of iconic models, including Twiggy, Veruschka, and Lauren Hutton.

Deathyear: 2014

James Strang

James Strang, an American religious leader and politician, born in 1813, led the largest American Mormon splinter group, the Strangites, after Joseph Smith's assassination. He claimed divine revelations and founded a theocratic government on Beaver Island, Michigan, with his followers.

Deathyear: 1856

Stephen Langton

Stephen Langton, an English cardinal and theologian, was born around 1150. He became Archbishop of Canterbury and played a key role in the English coronation of King John, also serving as a diplomat and mediator in the Church.

Deathyear: 1228

Vinicius de Moraes

Vinicius de Moraes, a prominent Brazilian poet, playwright, and composer, was a prominent figure in 20th-century Brazilian culture. He wrote classic poetry and plays, and collaborated with Antonio Carlos Jobim to create iconic bossa nova music, shaping the sound of Brazilian music.

Deathyear: 1980

Facundo Cabral

Facundo Cabral was a renowned Argentine singer-songwriter, born in 1937. Known for his poetic lyrics and soothing melodies, Cabral's music captured the hearts of many. He was also an active advocate for human rights and social justice, using his platform to raise awareness and promote peace.

Deathyear: 2011

Paul Broca

Paul Broca was a pioneering French physician and anatomist who made significant contributions to the field of neurology. He discovered the connection between the brain and language, known as Broca's area, and was the first to describe a specific linguistic disorder now known as Broca's aphasia.

Deathyear: 1880

Eric Sevareid

Eric Sevareid (1912-1991) was a renowned American journalist and news anchor. He covered World War II and the Cold War, earning a reputation for his eloquent reporting style. He worked for CBS News for over three decades, winning numerous awards for his journalism.

Deathyear: 1992

Adolfo de la Huerta

Adolfo de la Huerta was a Mexican politician and provisional president in 1920. Born in 1881, he served as governor and senator before briefly holding the presidency during the tumultuous 1920 Constitutionalist rebellion. His presidency lasted only 45 days before he was impeached.

Deathyear: 1955

Eugen Fischer

Eugen Fischer was a German physician and academic born in 1874. He was a prominent figure in the field of human genetics and was known for his eugenicist ideas, which emphasized the importance of heredity in shaping human traits.

Deathyear: 1967

Toshi Seeger

Pete Seeger's wife, Toshi Seeger, was a renowned American activist and co-founder of the Clearwater Festival. Born in 1922, Toshi dedicated her life to environmental conservation and social justice, working tirelessly alongside her husband to protect the Hudson River and promote cultural and environmental awareness.

Deathyear: 2013