May 21 birthdays and deaths:

Rajiv Gandhi

Rajiv Gandhi was the 6th Prime Minister of India, serving from 1984 to 1989. He was a member of the Indian National Congress and the son of Indira Gandhi. At the time of his death in 1991, he was the leader of the Indian National Congress.

Deathyear: 1991

Henry VI of England

Henry VI, King of England, was born on December 6, 1421. He was the only son of King Henry V and became king at the age of nine following his father's death.

Deathyear: 1471

John Gielgud

Sir John Gielgud, a renowned English actor, was born in 1904. With a career spanning over seven decades, he appeared in over 100 productions, winning an Academy Award and four Tony Awards. He was known for his commanding stage presence and memorable performances in classic Shakespearean roles.

Deathyear: 2000

John Garfield

John Garfield was a renowned American actor, born Marcus William Grossberg in 1913. He is best known for his work in film noir and classic dramas, starring in iconic movies like "Casablanca" and "The Postman Always Rings Twice."

Deathyear: 1952

Jane Addams

Jane Addams was a pioneering American activist and author who co-founded Hull House in Chicago, providing social services and education to immigrants. A Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 1931, Addams advocated for women's suffrage, disarmament, and world peace, leaving a lasting legacy in social reform.

Deathyear: 1935

Howard Morris

Howard Morris is a renowned American actor and director, best known for his iconic voice work on "Rugrats" and "The Flintstones". His extensive career in television and film spans over six decades, bringing him numerous awards and accolades.

Deathyear: 2005

Hernando de Soto

Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer who mapped the southeastern United States in the 1540s. He searched for gold, established colonies, and clashed with Native Americans. Through his expeditions, de Soto became the first European to set foot in what is now the United States.

Deathyear: 1542

Barbara Cartland

Barbara Cartland was a prolific English author of Mills & Boon romance novels, known for her melodramatic plots and swooning heroines. Born in 1901, she wrote over 700 books, becoming a beloved and iconic figure in the world of romance fiction.

Deathyear: 2000

Chevalier d'Éon

Louis Antoine de Saint-Just, Comte de Laval, better known as Chevalier d'Eon, was a French diplomat and spy who is famous for his role in the geopolitics of the 18th century. He served as a secretary to the Duke of Orléans and worked for the French government.

Deathyear: 1810

Ivan Konev

Ivan Konev was a prominent Soviet Marshal and general who played a crucial role in World War II. He commanded the 2nd Belorussian Front and led the Soviet forces to victory in the Battle of Budapest and the Berlin Campaign, earning him high honors and recognition.

Deathyear: 1973

Mark R. Hughes

Mark R. Hughes, an American businessman, founded Herbalife in 1980. Born in 1956, Hughes had a vision to provide nutrition and wellness solutions globally. Under his leadership, Herbalife grew into a billion-dollar company, revolutionizing the health and wellness industry.

Deathyear: 2000

Christian I of Denmark

Christian I, King of Denmark (1426-1481), ruled from 1440-1481. He centralized power, strengthened the monarchy, and secured Danish independence from Sweden and the Hanseatic League. He also founded the University of Copenhagen and supported the Reformation.

Deathyear: 1481

Venustiano Carranza

Venustiano Carranza was a Mexican politician and 54th President of Mexico, serving from 1911 to 1914. He played a crucial role in the Mexican Revolution, advocating for democratic reforms and social justice. Despite his contentious rule, he remains an important figure in Mexican history.

Deathyear: 1920

Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery

Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, was a renowned English politician, serving as Prime Minister from 1894 to 1895. Born in 1847, he was a leading figure in the Liberal Party and played a key role in shaping British politics during the late 19th century.

Deathyear: 1929

Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk

Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk, was a renowned English soldier and politician. He served as Lord High Treasurer and held various high-ranking military posts. Born in 1443, he played a key role in the Wars of the Roses and was a trusted advisor to King Edward IV.

Deathyear: 1524

Nick Menza

Nick Menza was an American drummer and songwriter best known for his work with the heavy metal band Megadeth. He was born in 1964 and played with the band from 1989 to 1998, prior to his untimely death at the age of 41.

Deathyear: 2016

Hidesaburō Ueno

Hidesaburō Ueno was a Japanese agriculturalist and professor who became famous for his close friendship with a loyal Akita dog, Hachikō, whom he rescued in 1924. The duo's heartwarming story has been widely celebrated in Japan and internationally.

Deathyear: 1925

Niki de Saint Phalle

Niki de Saint Phalle was a French-American artist known for her vibrant, larger-than-life sculptures and mosaics. Born in 1930, she explored themes of femininity, nature, and spirituality through her colorful and playful works, captivating audiences worldwide.

Deathyear: 2002

Sun Quan

Sun Quan, the second emperor of Eastern Wu, was born in 182 AD. He ruled Wu from 220-252 AD.

Deathyear: 252

Louis V of France

Louis V, king of West Francia from 986 to 987, was the last Carolingian monarch. Born around 966, he succeeded his father Lothair as king at the age of 11, only to die at 21 due to allegedly excessive drinking and hunting.

Deathyear: 987

Kenneth Clark

Kenneth Clark, a renowned English historian and author, was born in 1903. He is best known for his multivolume history of civilization, tracing human progress from the earliest civilizations to the Middle Ages.

Deathyear: 1983

Louis Johnson (bassist)

Louis Johnson, born in 1955, is an American bass player and producer. As a member of the Brothers Johnson, he became famous for hits like "Stomp!" and "Is It a Love Thing".

Deathyear: 2015

Katherine Dunham

Katherine Dunham was a pioneering African American dancer, choreographer, and author who founded the Negro Dance Troupe in 1931. She is known for her innovative fusion of African, Caribbean, and classical dance styles, and is considered one of the most influential figures in modern dance.

Deathyear: 2006

Sammy Davis Sr.

Sammy Davis Sr. was an American actor and dancer, father of the renowned entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. Born in 1900, he honed his skills on Broadway and in the Ziegfeld Follies, earning a reputation for his impressive dancing and charismatic stage presence.

Deathyear: 1988

Klaus Mann

Klaus Mann, son of Thomas Mann, was a German-American novelist, playwright, and critic born in 1906. He wrote critically acclaimed works, exploring themes of gay identity, nationalism, and fascism, while struggling with his own sexual orientation and the pressures of being a Mann family heir.

Deathyear: 1949

Geoffrey de Havilland

Geoffrey de Havilland was a pioneering English pilot, engineer, and aircraft designer. Born in 1882, he founded the de Havilland Aircraft Company and created the iconic de Havilland Mosquito, a versatile and influential bomber, fighter, and reconnaissance aircraft during World War II.

Deathyear: 1965

Les Aspin

Les Aspin, an American politician and naval officer, served as the 18th United States Secretary of Defense from 1993 to 1994. Born in 1938, Aspin graduated from the United States Naval Academy and went on to become a decorated naval officer before entering politics.

Deathyear: 1995

Carl Wilhelm Scheele

Carl Wilhelm Scheele, a German-Swedish chemist and pharmacist, discovered several elements, including molybdenum, tungsten, and barium, in the 18th century. He pioneered the field of analytical chemistry and wrote a comprehensive textbook on chemistry.

Deathyear: 1786

Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer

Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer, was a prominent English politician and Chancellor of the Exchequer. Born in 1661, he played a key role in the Tory government of King Charles II and later became Prime Minister of England from 1710 to 1714.

Deathyear: 1724

Stephen Elliott (actor)

Stephen Elliott was an American actor born on November 7, 1918. He appeared in over 60 films and numerous TV shows, often cast as authority figures or villains. Elliott is perhaps best known for his roles in "Cape Fear" (1962) and its 1991 remake.

Deathyear: 2005

Vaughn Monroe

Vaughn Monroe, the "Old Groaner," was a renowned American singer, trumpet player, and bandleader. Known for his smooth baritone voice and charismatic stage presence, he enjoyed a successful career in music and film, entertaining audiences with his unique blend of pop, jazz, and country sounds.

Deathyear: 1973

James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose

James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, was a Scottish general and politician who fought for King Charles I during the British Civil War. He led a royalist rebellion and was subsequently captured, executed in 1650 for high treason.

Deathyear: 1650

James Franck

James Franck, a pioneering German physicist and Nobel laureate, co-discovered the Franck-Hertz experiment, revealing the atomic beam behavior. He was born in 1882 and was a renowned academic, making significant contributions to quantum mechanics and atomic physics.

Deathyear: 1964

Lash LaRue

Lash LaRue was a legendary American actor and producer, born in 1917. With a career spanning over five decades, he starred in over 150 films, often playing the rugged cowboy or hero. He was also a pioneer of the "B-western" genre.

Deathyear: 1996

Conrad IV of Germany

Conrad IV, born in 1228, was the King of Germany from 1228 to 1254. A member of the House of Hohenstaufen, he was the son of Emperor Frederick II and succeeded him as king. He struggled to consolidate power amidst conflicts with the nobility and the papacy.

Deathyear: 1254

Doris Lloyd

Doris Lloyd, born Doris Knauth, was a renowned English stage and film actress born in 1896. She appeared in numerous films, often in comedic roles, alongside notable stars like Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant in films like "It Happened One Night" and "The Last Time I Saw Paris."

Deathyear: 1968

Twinkle (singer)

Twinkle (Theresa Ellen Connolly), born in 1948, is a singer-songwriter known for her critically acclaimed albums "Up the Wooden Hill to Bedford Street" and "The Thinking Lady". Her unique voice and poignant lyrics have earned her a devoted fan base in the UK and beyond.

Deathyear: 2015

Otto von Guericke

Otto von Guericke was a German physicist and inventor born in 1602. He is renowned for creating the Magdeburg Hemispheres, two metallic hemispheres that can rotate when charged with electricity, demonstrating the concept of electric induction and captivating the curiosity of scientists for centuries.

Deathyear: 1686

Williamina Fleming

Williamina Fleming (1857-1911) was a pioneering astronomer who cataloged thousands of stars, discovered over 310 variable stars, and recorded the first spectroscopic binary. A Scottish-American academic, she worked at Harvard College Observatory, making significant contributions to the field of astronomy.

Deathyear: 1911

Billy Walker (musician)

Billy Walker, a renowned American singer-songwriter and guitarist, was born in 1929. With a career spanning over six decades, he has shared the stage with fellow legends such as Hank Williams Jr. and George Jones, earning him the nickname "The Tall Texan".

Deathyear: 2006

Robert Gist

Robert Gist was an American actor and director, born in 1917. He appeared in numerous films and television shows, including "Vera Cruz," "Earthquake," and "The Virginian." He directed several TV episodes and served as a professor at the University of Southern California.

Deathyear: 1998

Tommaso Campanella

Tommaso Campanella was a renowned Italian astrologer, theologian, and poet born in 1568. He was a key figure in the development of Renaissance thought, known for his influential works on theology, philosophy, and astrology. His most famous work is the poem "De Politico-Monarchia", which explores monarchical governance.

Deathyear: 1639

Hugo de Vries

Hugo de Vries was a renowned Dutch botanist and geneticist, born in 1848. Although he didn't develop the concept of chromosomes, his experimental work on mutation and selection anticipated Gregor Mendel's laws. He discovered that plant species can revert to ancestral forms under certain conditions.

Deathyear: 1935

Dominique Venner

Dominique Venner was a renowned French journalist and historian born in 1935. He was known for his critically acclaimed books on French history and his strong conservative views. Venner was also a prominent figure in the French far-right movement.

Deathyear: 2013