June 7 birthdays and deaths:

Alan Turing

Alan Turing, a British mathematician, computer scientist, and logician, made groundbreaking contributions to computer science, artificial intelligence, and cryptography. His work on the theoretical foundations of computation helped lay the basis for modern computer science, earning him a place in the history of computer science.

Deathyear: 1954

Christopher Lee

Christopher Lee was a renowned English actor, known for his distinctive voice and commanding presence on screen. With a career spanning over six decades, he appeared in over 250 films, including iconic roles in horror classics such as "Dracula" and "The Mummy".

Deathyear: 2015

Richard Ramirez

Richard Ramirez, aka the "Night Stalker," terrorized California from 1984-1985, killing 14 people and sexually assaulting many more. His brutal crimes, characterized by their randomness and brutality, shocked the public and earned him a spot on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

Deathyear: 2013

Robert the Bruce

Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland (1274-1329), triumphed over English forces, claiming independence for Scotland. A Scottish Patriot, he played a significant role in the Declaration of Arbroath (1320), asserting Scotland's sovereignty and autonomy, shaping the country's future.

Deathyear: 1329

Jean Harlow

Jean Harlow was a stunning blonde bombshell, dubbed the "Blonde Bombshell." She charmed audiences with her sparkling eyes, sassy attitude, and velvety voice. Her early Hollywood career spanned 1929-1937, starring in classics like "Hell's Angels" and "Libeled Lady." She remains an iconic Hollywood legend.

Deathyear: 1937

The Iron Sheik

The Iron Sheik, born Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri in 1942, is a former Iranian-American professional wrestler, actor, and Iranian national hero. He was a WWF Champion and a key figure in the WWF's "Gino Severini-like explosion of color" during the 1980s.

Deathyear: 2023

E. M. Forster

E.M. Forster was a renowned English novelist, short story writer, and essayist. Born in 1879, he is best known for his novels like "Howards End" and "A Room with a View", which explore themes of social class, morality, and human relationships. His works are celebrated for their wit and insight.

Deathyear: 1970

Henry Miller

Henry Miller was a provocative American novelist and essayist born in 1891. Known for his experimental style and explicit content, Miller's works, such as "Tropic of Cancer," blurred literary lines and challenged societal norms.

Deathyear: 1980

Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker, a witty and brilliant wordsmith, lit the pages with her sardonic wit and exacting wit. Her verse and prose, steeped in irony and clever wordplay, showcased her formidable intelligence and keenly observed world, earning her a place among the literary giants of the 20th century.

Deathyear: 1967

Judy Holliday

Judy Holliday was a beloved American actress and singer, best known for her Tony Award-winning performance in "Born Yesterday" and her iconic film roles in "It Should Happen to You" and "The Solid Gold Cadillac". Her charming wit and lovable charm endeared her to audiences worldwide.

Deathyear: 1965

Chief Seattle

Chief Seattle (c. 1780-1866) was the leader of the Suquamish and Suquâlem tribes in present-day Washington state. Known for his eloquent speech, he advocated for peace and coexistence with European settlers, famously declaring "the earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth."

Deathyear: 1866

Frederick William III of Prussia

Frederick William III of Prussia (1770-1840) was the King of Prussia from 1797 to 1840. He was known for his loyalty to the Holy Roman Empire and his attempts to maintain the balance of power in Europe, despite facing Napoleon's armies in the early 19th century.

Deathyear: 1840

Dan Duryea

Dan Duryea was an American actor and singer, born in 1907. He appeared in numerous films and television shows, often playing villainous characters. His distinctive voice and rugged good looks made him a popular figure in the entertainment industry.

Deathyear: 1968

Friedrich Hölderlin

Friedrich Hölderlin was a renowned German lyric poet and author born in 1770. He is considered one of the most important figures in German literature, known for his unique style and exploration of themes such as nature, love, and the human condition.

Deathyear: 1843

Philip Guston

Philip Guston (1913-1980) was a renowned Canadian-American painter and educator. His abstract expressionist style combined figurative and abstract elements, exploring the human condition. He taught at several institutions, including the New School and Princeton University, sharing his artistic insights with generations of students.

Deathyear: 1980

Casimir IV Jagiellon

Casimir IV Jagiellon, a powerful ruler, united Lithuania and Poland under his rule. He strengthened the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, promoting trade, education, and architecture. He also expanded the Habsburgs' influence, marrying Maria Czechowicz.

Deathyear: 1492

Anne of Bohemia

Anne of Bohemia, daughter of Emperor Charles IV, married to Richard II of England in 1382. She died unexpectedly at 28 in 1394, sparking rumors of poisoning. Her marriage was marked by disputes over power and her untimely death left Richard with no heir, fueling controversy surrounding her death.

Deathyear: 1394

Patrick Brontë

Patrick Brontë (1777-1861) was a renowned Anglo-Irish priest and author. He served as curate in Ireland and later headmaster of a school in Hawes, Yorkshire. He was also a prolific writer of poetry, novels, and plays, including the seminal novel "Wuthering Heights", written by his daughter Emily.

Deathyear: 1861

Jean Arp

Jean Arp, a pioneer of Dadaism, combined art forms to create surreal, biomorphic sculptures and paintings. Born in Germany to an Alsatian family, he exhibited his works internationally, merging poetry and visual art to blur the lines between reality and fantasy.

Deathyear: 1966

Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr

Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, was an English politician and Colonial Governor of Virginia. Born in 1577, he played a crucial role in the early history of Jamestown, serving as the colony's governor and successfully combating the Powhatan Confederacy.

Deathyear: 1618

Bill France Sr.

Bill France Sr. was a legendary American race car driver and entrepreneur who co-founded NASCAR in 1948. He was born in 1909 and had a storied career in racing, serving as the first president of NASCAR and being inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Deathyear: 1992

Ashikaga Takauji

Ashikaga Takauji (1305-1358) was a Japanese shōgun who overthrew the Kamakura shogunate and established the Ashikaga shogunate, which ruled Japan for nearly 250 years. He is considered the founder of the Ashikaga shogunate and is remembered for his military conquests and administrative reforms.

Deathyear: 1358

William Pirrie, 1st Viscount Pirrie

William Pirrie, 1st Viscount Pirrie, was a prominent Irish businessman and politician. He served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1888. Born in 1847, Pirrie was a successful shipbuilder and founder of Harland and Wolff, a shipbuilding company that built the RMS Titanic.

Deathyear: 1924

Ælfthryth, Countess of Flanders

Ælfthryth, Countess of Flanders, was born in 877 to Baldwin I, the first Count of Flanders. She married Baldwin II and became Countess upon his death. Her descendants would play a significant role in shaping the history of Flanders and its trade. She survived several attempts on her life.

Deathyear: 929

Pope Vigilius

Vigilius (died 555) was Pope from 537 to 555. Born in Rome around 500, he succeeded Pope Hormisdas and reigned during the Byzantine conquest of Italy. He famously resisted the Three Chapters Controversy and was forced to recant, leading to his downfall.

Deathyear: 555

Joseph von Fraunhofer

Joseph von Fraunhofer was a pioneering German optician, physicist, and astronomer. Born in 1787, he is renowned for his discovery of the Fraunhofer lines, the dark absorption lines in the solar spectrum, and his development of refracting telescopes, significantly advancing the field of astronomy.

Deathyear: 1826

Signe Hasso

Signe Hasso, Swedish-American actress, born in 1915, began her acting career in the 1930s. She worked in German, Swedish, and American films, earning international recognition for her versatility and nuance.

Deathyear: 2002