May 12 birthdays and deaths:

Dennis Nilsen

Dennis Nilsen, a Scottish serial killer, was born in 1945. Between 1978 and 1983, he murdered at least 12 young men, mostly homeless and vulnerable individuals, in his London flat. He is considered one of the most notorious serial killers in British history.

Deathyear: 2018

Robert Reed

Robert Reed was an American actor, best known for his portrayal of Mike Brady in the popular 1970s TV sitcom "The Brady Bunch." With a career spanning over three decades, Reed appeared in numerous TV shows and films, showcasing his versatility and talent.

Deathyear: 1992

H. R. Giger

Hans Rudolf "H.R." Giger was a Swiss artist and sculptor, born in 1940. He's renowned for his dark and biomechanical art style, which blends organic and industrial elements.

Deathyear: 2014

Perry Como

Perry Como, a renowned American singer and television host, was born in 1912. He rose to fame with his smooth vocals, performing jazz, pop, and classical music. He hosted his own TV show, "The Perry Como Show," for over 30 years, captivating audiences with his charismatic personality and soothing voice.

Deathyear: 2001

Józef Piłsudski

Józef Piłsudski was a Polish statesman and warlord who played a key role in Poland's transition from Austria-Hungary to independence. As the 15th Prime Minister of Poland, he served from 1918 to 1922, and again from 1926 to 1928.

Deathyear: 1935

Erik Erikson

Erik Erikson, a prominent German-American psychologist and psychoanalyst, is known for his theory of psychosocial development, proposing that individuals pass through eight stages of development, shaped by social and cultural factors.

Deathyear: 1994

Alfonso de Portago

Alfonso de Portago, a Spanish bobsledder and racing driver, was born in 1928. He was a member of the Spanish aristocracy and competed in several championships, including the Bobsleigh World Championships and the Formula One World Championship.

Deathyear: 1957

Felix Steiner

Felix Steiner, a Russian-German SS officer, was born in 1896. He played a significant role in World War II, leading the 1st SS Panzer Division and being involved in several key battles.

Deathyear: 1966

James Connolly

James Connolly was a Scottish-born Irish socialist and rebel leader who played a crucial role in the Easter Rising of 1916. In 1868, Connolly was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Irish parents. He migrated to the United States, where he founded the Irish Socialist Republican Party. He returned to Ireland in 1896 to become a key leader of the socialist and nationalist movements. During the Easter Rising, he led the rebel forces in Dublin from wounded but continued directing hostilities.

Deathyear: 1916

David Sanborn

David Sanborn is a renowned American jazz saxophonist, known for his soulful and virtuosic playing style. Born in 1945, Sanborn has released numerous albums and collaborated with various artists, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in contemporary jazz.

Deathyear: 2024

John Dryden

John Dryden (1631-1700) was an influential English poet, playwright, and critic. His poetic works, such as "Annus Mirabilis" and "All for Love," showcased his mastery of verse and drama. He was also a prominent critic, serving as Poet Laureate from 1668 until his death in 1700.

Deathyear: 1700

J. E. B. Stuart

J.E.B. Stuart was a renowned American general during the American Civil War. Born in 1833, he fought alongside Robert E. Lee and was known for his exceptional cavalry tactics, often conducting rapid raids and reconnaissance missions deep behind enemy lines.

Deathyear: 1864

John Smith (Labour Party leader)

John Smith, a Scottish-English lawyer and politician, served as Labour Party leader from 1992 until his death in 1994. He was the Leader of the Opposition and is remembered for his progressive policies and strong leadership of the party during a tumultuous time.

Deathyear: 1994

Irena Sendler

Irena Sendler, a Polish nurse and humanitarian, smuggled over 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto during WWII, saving them from certain death. She kept detailed records, hoping to reunite each child with their families after the war.

Deathyear: 2008

Murad Mirza (son of Akbar)

Murad Mirza, a Mughal prince, was born in 1570. He was the youngest son of Mughal emperor Akbar and a skilled warrior. Despite his youth, Murad showed great bravery and skill in battle, earning the admiration of his father and the respect of his soldiers.

Deathyear: 1599

Robert Rauschenberg

Robert Rauschenberg was a pioneering American artist known for his contributions to Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. Born in 1925, he pioneered "combines," merging painting and sculpture. His iconic works, such as "Monogram" (1955-1959), blended spontaneity and junk art with pop culture references.

Deathyear: 2008

Adam Petty

Adam Petty was a talented American auto racing driver born in 1980. He competed in the NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Tragically, he died in a Cup Series race in 2000 at the age of 19.

Deathyear: 2000

Bedřich Smetana

Bedřich Smetana was a Czech composer and educator, born in 1824. He is considered the father of Czech music, known for his opera "The Bartered Bride" and symphonic cycle "Má vlast". He founded the National Conservatory in Prague, promoting Czech music education.

Deathyear: 1884

Erich von Stroheim

Erich von Stroheim was a renowned Austrian-American actor, director, and producer who embodied a swaggering, menacing presence on screen. Born in Vienna in 1885, he rocketed to fame in the 1920s, starring in opulent epics like "Ben-Hur" and "Queen Kelly."

Deathyear: 1957

Louis Calhern

Louis Calhern was an American actor and singer, born in 1895. He made his Broadway debut in 1921 and went on to appear in numerous stage productions and films.

Deathyear: 1956

Mark Damon

Mark Damon is a renowned American film actor and producer, born in 1933. He rose to fame in the 1950s-60s, starring in films like "The Touch of Evil" and "The Racers". He's also a successful businessman, producing numerous films and television shows throughout his illustrious career.

Deathyear: 2024

John Masefield

John Masefield, a renowned English poet and author, was born in 1878. He is best known for his poetry, particularly "The Everlasting Mercy" and "Sard Harker". Masefield's work is characterized by its vivid descriptions of nature and its exploration of themes such as love and mortality.

Deathyear: 1967

Pope Sylvester II

Sylvester II, Pope from 999 to 1003, was a prominent theologian and scientist. Born Gerbert of Aurillac in 946, he was a master of arts and mathematics. He reformed the Catholic Church's liturgy and implemented reforms to combat heresy and immorality.

Deathyear: 1003

Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford

Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford, was a prominent English soldier and politician who served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1632-1640). He played a crucial role in shaping the British Isles, advocating for the Crown's power and suppressing Parliamentarian uprisings, ultimately leading to his own execution in 1641.

Deathyear: 1641

Martin Lings

Martin Lings (1909-2005) was a renowned English author and scholar who wrote extensively on Sufi spirituality and Islamic mysticism. Author of "The Biograph of Muhammad" and "Sufi Poems", he was a respected expert in Islamic studies and a pioneering figure in Western Islamic scholarship.

Deathyear: 2005

Joris-Karl Huysmans

Joris-Karl Huysmans was a French author and critic born in 1848. He is considered a pioneer of the Decadent movement and wrote novels such as "Against Nature" and "The Oblate". His work often explored themes of morality, mortality, and the human condition.

Deathyear: 1907

Benjamin Sheares

Benjamin Sheares was a Singaporean professor and politician who served as the second President of Singapore from 1971 to 1981. Born in 1907, Sheares held various academic and administrative positions before ascending to the presidency, leaving a lasting legacy in Singapore's education and public service sector.

Deathyear: 1981

Eugène Ysaÿe

Eugène Ysaÿe was a renowned Belgian violinist, composer, and conductor, born in 1858. He was known for his virtuosic technique and expressive playing style, and composed the famous "Sonatas for Solo Violin".

Deathyear: 1931

Jean Dubuffet

Jean Dubuffet was a French painter and sculptor born in 1901. He is known for his pioneering work in the Art Brut movement, which celebrated the raw, untrained, and often unconventional creative expressions of outsiders and mental health patients.

Deathyear: 1985

Thomas Palaiologos

Thomas Palaiologos, Despot of Morea, was a Byzantine nobleman and member of the Palaiologos family. He was born in 1409 and ruled as Despot of Morea, a region in southern Greece, from 1415 until his death in 1460.

Deathyear: 1465

Valdemar I of Denmark

Valdemar I, known as Valdemar the Great, ruled Denmark from 1157 to 1182. Born in 1131, he united warring lords and expanded Denmark's borders through conquest and strategic marriages. He promoted Christianity and fostered trade and commerce, earning him a revered place in Danish history.

Deathyear: 1182

Mauno Koivisto

Mauno Koivisto, a respected banker and politician, served as Finland's ninth President from 1982 to 1994. Born in 1923, he was known for his economic expertise and played a key role in financing the country's post-war reconstruction.

Deathyear: 2017

Saul Steinberg

Saul Steinberg, a Romanian-born American illustrator, brought whimsy and wit to his work. Known for his clever caricatures and insightful commentary on culture and politics, Steinberg's illustrations adorned the covers of The New Yorker and other publications, earning him a reputation as a master of the pen.

Deathyear: 1999

Charles Barry

Charles Barry (1795-1860) was a renowned English architect who designed notable buildings such as Upper Brook Street Chapel and the iconic Palace of Westminster.

Deathyear: 1860

Amy Lowell

Amy Lowell was a pioneering American poet and critic, known for her Imagist poetry and advocacy for modernist movement. Born in 1874, she was a prominent figure in the literary circles, winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1926. Her poetry collection, "What's O'Clock" (1919), showcased her unique style and themes.

Deathyear: 1925

George Chapman

George Chapman (1559-1634) was a prominent English poet, playwright, and translator. He is credited with writing several plays, including "Bussy D'Ambois" and "The Revenge of Bussy D'Ambois", as well as translating Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey" into English.

Deathyear: 1634

Francis Hughes

Francis Hughes was a Provisional IRA member who died on May 21, 1981, after 59 days on hunger strike at Maze Prison in Northern Ireland. His strike was part of the 1981 Irish Hunger Strike, which aimed to demand better prisoner treatment and ultimately led to the removal of internment.

Deathyear: 1981