May 22 birthdays and deaths:

Constantine the Great

Constantine the Great, a Roman emperor, born in 272 AD, is renowned for converting to Christianity and making it the official Roman religion. He ruled from 306-337 AD, conquering various territories and implementing administrative reforms, adding to his legacy as a significant figure in Roman and Christian history.

Deathyear: 337

Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo, a prominent French writer, was born in 1802. He is best known for his novel "Les Misérables," which focuses on the struggles of France's poorest inhabitants during the 19th century.

Deathyear: 1885

Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes: A renowned American poet, social activist, novelist, and playwright (born 1902), Hughes' powerful works captured the struggles and experiences of African Americans during the Harlem Renaissance, highlighting issues of racism, inequality, and social justice through his poignant and evocative writing.

Deathyear: 1967

John Derek

John Derek, a talented American actor, director, and photographer, was born in 1926. He is best known for his films such as "Tarzan the Magnificent" and "Bolero", and his work as a photographer, capturing iconic images of actresses like Laura Michaels and Bo Derek, his daughter.

Deathyear: 1998

Sher Shah Suri

Sher Shah Suri, a Suri Dynasty ruler, reigned from 1540 to 1545. He established the Mughal Empire after defeating Humayun, capturing Delhi, and implementing several reforms, including the construction of roads, bridges, and canals, revolutionizing Mughal governance.

Deathyear: 1545

Martha Washington

Martha Washington (1731-1802), the wife of George Washington, was the First Lady of the United States during his presidency. She managed the household of Mount Vernon, their Virginia estate, and played a significant role in society, known for her kindness, beauty, and domestic skills.

Deathyear: 1802

Thurl Ravenscroft

Thurl Ravenscroft was a renowned American voice actor and singer, best known for providing the iconic voices of Tony the Tiger and Lumpjaw on The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. He also lent his deep voice to numerous TV and film productions.

Deathyear: 2005

Margaret Rutherford

Margaret Rutherford, a celebrated English actress, was born in 1892. She is renowned for her distinctive voice and knack for playing eccentric characters. Throughout her prolific career, she won a record-breaking three Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress.

Deathyear: 1972

Rita of Cascia

Rita of Cascia, an Italian nun and saint, was born in 1381. She is revered for her devotion to prayer, her care for the sick and the poor, and her miracles. She was canonized in 1900.

Deathyear: 1457

Cecil Day-Lewis

Cecil Day-Lewis, a renowned Anglo-Irish poet and author, was born in 1904. As a British Poet Laureate (1968-1972), he captivated readers with his emotive verse, exploring themes of love, mortality, and social justice, solidifying his status as a significant and influential figure in 20th-century poetry.

Deathyear: 1972

Rocky Graziano

Rocky Graziano, a gritty and determined American boxer, won the world middleweight title in 1949. His rags-to-riches story, from a childhood of poverty to a championship belt, inspired millions.

Deathyear: 1990

Nicky Hayden

Nicky Hayden, an American professional motorcycle road racer, won the MotoGP World Championship in 2006. He rode for Repsol Honda and Ducati, finishing his career with 13 Grand Prix victories and 100 podiums. Hayden passed away in 2017, aged 35, after a fatal crash on the Italian Superbike circuit.

Deathyear: 2017

Baal Shem Tov

Baal Shem Tov (Israel ben Eliezer, 1700-1760) was a Polish rabbi and author who founded Chassidic Judaism. Known for his emotional piety and mystical interpretations of Judaism, he emphasized the importance of love, joy, and redemption, and wrote extensively on Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism.

Deathyear: 1760

Dong Zhuo

Dong Zhuo was a powerful Chinese warlord and politician who ruled Chang'an during the late Han dynasty. Born in 138 AD, he rose to prominence after the fall of Wang Mang's regime. Known for his military prowess and cunning diplomacy, he played a significant role in the early Han era's chaos.

Deathyear: 192

Martin Gardner

Martin Gardner, a renowned American mathematician, cryptographer, and author, was born in 1914. He made significant contributions to mathematics, including developing the "finite geometry" and "Boolean logic". He also wrote extensively on cryptography and mathematics for general audiences.

Deathyear: 2010

Claude McKay

Claude McKay was a prominent Jamaican writer and poet, born in 1889. He was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, known for his poetry and novels that explored themes of race, identity, and social justice. His work often challenged societal norms and advocated for black liberation.

Deathyear: 1948

Lino Brocka

Lino Brocka was a pioneering Filipino director and screenwriter, known for his socially conscious films that addressed Philippine society's gritty realities. His cinematic works often tackled poverty, inequality, and the struggles of the working class, earning him several international awards and accolades.

Deathyear: 1991

Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset

Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset, was an English commander born in 1406. He played a key role in the Wars of the Roses, serving as Lord High Marshal and Marshal of France. He led the Lancastrian forces during the Second Battle of St Albans in 1461.

Deathyear: 1455

Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies

Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies (1810-1859) was the last King of the Two Sicilies, ruling from 1830 to 1859. He sought to modernize the country, but faced opposition from the nobility and religious orders.

Deathyear: 1859

Judith Kerr

Judith Kerr is a renowned German-born British writer and illustrator, best known for her beloved children's book "The Tiger Who Came to Tea". Born in 1923, she has written and illustrated numerous iconic stories, captivating young readers and winning numerous awards for her work.

Deathyear: 2019

David Wilkie (swimmer)

David Wilkie is a Scottish former competitive swimmer, born in 1954. He is a two-time Olympic champion and four-time World Champion. Wilkie won the 200m breaststroke gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, setting a new world record at the time.

Deathyear: 2024

Lady Gregory

Lady Gregory was a pioneering Anglo-Irish activist, landlord, and playwright, born in 1852. She co-founded the famous Abbey Theatre in Dublin, promoting Irish culture and literature. Her plays, such as "Spreading the News" and "Grania", showcased her creativity and passion for her homeland.

Deathyear: 1932

Richard Biggs

Richard Biggs was an American actor, best known for his role as Dr. Stephen Kelly on the medical drama "ER". Born in 1960, Biggs' acting career spanned over two decades, with notable appearances in TV shows like "Days of Our Lives" and "JAG".

Deathyear: 2004

Giorgio Almirante

Giorgio Almirante was an Italian journalist and politician born in 1914. He was the founder of the MSI (Movement Sovereign Italian) and served as its leader from 1946 until his death in 1988. Almirante was a prominent figure in post-war Italian politics, known for his nationalist and anti-communist views.

Deathyear: 1988

Pope Alexander VII

Pope Alexander VII (b. 1599) was a prominent figure in the Catholic Church. He was a skilled diplomat and administrator who served as Pope from 1655 to 1667. He was known for his strong leadership and his efforts to reform the Church.

Deathyear: 1667

Lefty Grove

Ernest "Lefty" Grove was a legendary American baseball player who pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox from 1925 to 1941. A seven-time All-Star, he won 300 games and threw 30 shutouts, earning him a place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947.

Deathyear: 1975

Wolfgang Reitherman

Wolfgang Reitherman was a renowned animator, director, and producer at Walt Disney Productions. Born in 1909, he worked on numerous beloved films, including "Cinderella," "Mary Poppins," and "The Jungle Book." He was also involved in the development of Disney's theme park attractions.

Deathyear: 1985

Dervla Murphy

Dervla Murphy is a renowned Irish author and cyclist, born in 1931. Known for her adventurous spirit and distinctive writing style, Murphy has written extensively on her travels, including "Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle" and "In Grandmother's Kitchen".

Deathyear: 2022

Gaetano Bresci

Gaetano Bresci, an Italian-American anarchist, assassinated King Umberto I of Italy in 1900. Born in 1869 in Italy, Bresci immigrated to the United States, where he joined the anarchist movement. He returned to Italy, seeking revenge for labor activism and government repression.

Deathyear: 1901

Ernst Toller

Ernst Toller was a German playwright and author, born in 1893. A leading figure of the Expressionist movement, Toller's works often explored the human condition, social justice, and the consequences of war. His plays, including "Mass Man" and "Transformation", examined the German Revolution and the rise of Nazism.

Deathyear: 1939

Joseph Brooks (songwriter)

Joseph Brooks is an American director, producer, screenwriter, and composer, best known for his provocative and controversial films. Born in 1938, Brooks has garnered international acclaim for his unique storytelling style, philosophical themes, and exploration of human sexuality.

Deathyear: 2011

Marques Haynes

Marques Haynes, a legendary American basketball player and coach, was born in 1926. Nicknamed "The Whirlwind," Haynes was a pioneering dribbler who played professionally from 1946-1959 and was a three-time ABL champion. He later coached college and professional teams.

Deathyear: 2015

Charlotte Serber

Charlotte Serber, a pioneering American librarian, managed the Manhattan Project's Los Alamos site library. Born in 1911, she ensured classified documents and information security while supporting scientists' research. Her unique blend of organizational skills and knowledge of classified materials kept the project running smoothly.

Deathyear: 1967

Shripad Amrit Dange

Shripad Amrit Dange was an Indian lawyer, politician, and activist who played a key role in the Indian independence movement. He was a prominent leader of the Congress Party and was known for his fearless and uncompromising stance against British colonial rule.

Deathyear: 1991

Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland

Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland, was a prominent English commander during the Wars of the Roses. Born in 1393, he fought in several key battles, including the Battle of St Albans and the Battle of Towton, before being killed in 1455.

Deathyear: 1455

Francesco Guicciardini

Francesco Guicciardini was a prominent Italian historian and politician, born in Florence in 1483. He served as a diplomat and governor under the Medici family, and wrote influential histories of Florence and Italy, providing valuable insights into the Renaissance era.

Deathyear: 1540

Cevdet Sunay

Cevdet Sunay was a Turkish general and politician who served as the 5th President of Turkey from 1966 to 1973. Born in 1899, Sunay graduated from the Ottoman Military Academy and later attended the École Supérieure de Guerre in France.

Deathyear: 1982