May 27 birthdays and deaths:

Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru, a prominent Indian independence leader, served as India's first Prime Minister from 1947 to 1964. A lawyer and politician, he championed secular socialism, promoted education, and advocated for women's rights, earning the nickname "Chacha Nehru" (Uncle Nehru).

Deathyear: 1964

Gregg Allman

Gregg Allman, a legendary American musician, singer, and songwriter, was born in 1947. As the leader of the Allman Brothers Band, he created a rich legacy of Southern rock, blues, and folk music, singing with a distinctive, soulful voice that continues to inspire new generations of fans.

Deathyear: 2017

Jeff Conaway

Jeff Conaway, a talented American actor and singer, was known for his notable roles in TV and film, including Grease, Babylon 5, and Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.

Deathyear: 2011

Bill Walton

Bill Walton is a legendary American basketball player and sportscaster born in 1952. He led UCLA to two NCAA championships and won 32 games in a row during his college career. He played professionally for the Trail Blazers and Celtics before transitioning to a successful broadcasting career.

Deathyear: 2024

John Calvin

John Calvin, a French pastor and theologian, was born in 1509. He developed the Protestant doctrine of predestination, emphasizing salvation by faith alone, and founded Geneva's famous university.

Deathyear: 1564

Jeffrey Hunter

Jeffrey Hunter was an American actor and producer born on November 25, 1926. He is best known for his iconic role as Captain Pike in the original "Star Trek" television series. Additionally, he appeared in films like "The Searchers" and "The True Story of Lee Harvey Oswald".

Deathyear: 1969

Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury

Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury (1473-1541), was a renowned English noblewoman and the daughter of George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence. She was decapitated on Tower Hill in 1541 for her involvement in the conspiracy to allow Prince Edward to ascend the throne.

Deathyear: 1541

Niccolò Paganini

Niccolò Paganini, the renowned Italian violinist and composer, was born in 1782. He was known for his virtuosic technique and expressive playing style. He also composed many famous violin concertos and caprices, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of classical music.

Deathyear: 1840

Paul Gleason

Paul Gleason was an American actor, born on April 4, 1939, known for his distinctive voice and various roles in film and television. He is perhaps best remembered for his portrayal of Richard B. Sprague in the John Hughes comedy film "The Breakfast Club" (1985).

Deathyear: 2006

Gil Scott-Heron

Gil Scott-Heron was a profound American singer-songwriter and poet, born in 1949. He revolutionized music with his protest songs, blending spoken word and soul, tackling topics like racism, inequality, and social justice. His iconic voice and powerful lyrics have left an indelible mark on music.

Deathyear: 2011

Robert Koch

Robert Koch, a renowned German physician and microbiologist, developed the "gold standard" for identifying bacterial pathogens, the Koch's postulates. He discovered the bacterium that causes tuberculosis and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1905.

Deathyear: 1910

Margo Dydek

Margo Dydek was a Polish-American professional basketball player who played in the WNBA and abroad. Born on March 22, 1974, she won multiple championships in Europe and was a two-time WNBA All-Star.

Deathyear: 2011

Maurice Richard

Maurice Richard, a Canadian ice hockey player and coach, is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He played 16 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, winning eight Stanley Cup championships.

Deathyear: 2000

Jedediah Smith

Jedediah Smith was a renowned American hunter, explorer, and author who charted the Missouri River and discovered the South Pass. He wrote accounts of his expeditions and was a key figure in the early American West.

Deathyear: 1831

Craig Heyward

Craig Heyward was an American footballer born in 1966. He played as a fullback for the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints from 1988 to 1998, earning two Pro Bowl selections.

Deathyear: 2006

Larry Kramer

Larry Kramer, a renowned American playwright, public health advocate, and LGBT rights activist, born in 1935, co-founded the Gay Men's Health Crisis and continued to fight for LGBTQ+ rights throughout his life, leaving a lasting legacy in the fight for equality and justice for all.

Deathyear: 2020

Bill Pertwee

Bill Pertwee was a beloved English actor, best known for his role as Squadron Leader Claude "Cupid" Stalbridge in the iconic BBC Radio comedy "Dad's Army". He was also a founding member of the National Youth Theatre and appeared in numerous stage, film, and television productions.

Deathyear: 2013

Elizabeth MacRae

Elizabeth MacRae is a veteran American actress born in 1936. She has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including "The Twilight Zone," "The Fugitive," and "Knots Landing." Her extensive career spans over six decades, showcasing her versatility and dedication to her craft.

Deathyear: 2024

Ludovico Sforza

Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, was a powerful and ambitious ruler who ruled from 1494 to 1500. A skilled military leader and a patron of the arts, he commissioned famous artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

Deathyear: 1508

Françoise-Athénaïs de Rochechouart, Marquise de Montespan

Françoise-Athénaïs, marquise de Montespan, was the prominent mistress of Louis XIV of France, holding the position from 1667 to 1683. She was born in 1640 and was known for her beauty, wit, and charm, earning her the nickname "La Grande Mademoiselle".

Deathyear: 1707

Thomas Müntzer

Thomas Müntzer was a German mystic and theologian born in 1488. He was a key figure in the German Peasants' War, leading a peasants' rebellion against the nobility and advocating for social and economic reform.

Deathyear: 1525

Simeon I of Bulgaria

Simeon I, the first Bulgaria emperor, was born in 864. He united the warring tribes and built the Second Bulgarian Empire, reigning from 913-927.

Deathyear: 927

Kandukuri Veeresalingam

Kandukuri Veeresalingam, a renowned Indian author, activist, and social reformer, born in 1848, played a significant role in the Indian Freedom Movement. He was the founder of the Andhra Patrika newspaper and advocated for women's education and social reform in British India.

Deathyear: 1919

Günther Lütjens

Günther Lütjens was a German admiral who played a crucial role in World War II. Born in 1889, he commanded several German battleships, including the Scharnhorst and Bismarck, and was killed in action during the failed attempt to break the British naval blockade in May 1941.

Deathyear: 1941

Robert Ripley

Robert Ripley was a pioneering cartoonist, publisher, and businessman who founded Ripley's Believe It or Not! in 1918. With a keen fascination for the unusual and bizarre, he created a popular franchise that spanned newspapers, radio, and television, captivating audiences worldwide with his peculiar news and stories.

Deathyear: 1949

Joseph Roth

Joseph Roth, a Ukrainian-born Austrian-French journalist and author, is celebrated for his vivid portrayals of Central European culture and politics. Born in 1894, he wrote critically acclaimed novels and essays, often highlighting the plight of Jewish communities and the decline of traditional societies.

Deathyear: 1939

François Ravaillac

François Ravaillac, a fanatical Catholic, assassinated King Henry IV of France in 1610. On the king's procession route, Ravaillac suddenly struck the monarch with a sword. The attempted regicide failed, but Ravaillac died a gruesome death under the thumbscrew via torture, a gruesome end to a gruesome act.

Deathyear: 1610

John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset

John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset, was an English commander and member of the royal family. Born in 1404, he fought in the Hundred Years' War and was instrumental in capturing the port city of Bordeaux. He was also a prominent figure in the Wars of the Roses.

Deathyear: 1444

François-Noël Babeuf

François-Noël Babeuf was a French journalist and pamphleteer born in 1760. He was a key figure in the radical French Enlightenment, advocating for social and economic reforms. His influential writings exposed corruption and inequality, making him a prominent voice for the common good.

Deathyear: 1797

Ernst Lindemann

Ernst Lindemann was a German naval officer who commanded the battleship Bismarck during its final battle in 1941. He went down with his ship, dying in the North Atlantic after a sinking caused by British aircraft and naval fire.

Deathyear: 1941

Luciano Berio

Luciano Berio, a prominent Italian composer and educator, was born in 1925. He is known for his eclectic style, which combines elements of avant-garde and neoclassical music. Berio's works include the opera "Sinfonia" and the song cycle "Sequenza."

Deathyear: 2003

Massimo Vignelli

Massimo Vignelli was an influential Italian-American graphic designer, renowned for his minimalist and elegant work. He co-founded Vignelli Associates, creating iconic designs for companies like IBM, Ford, and American Airlines, and is known for his innovative and timeless design style.

Deathyear: 2014

Izumi Sakai

Izumi Sakai, known as Wink's lead vocalist, is a Japanese singer-songwriter born in 1967. She is renowned for her powerful vocals, captivating stage presence, and hit songs like "Kanashii Kimochi" and "Kiwi Nuncho".

Deathyear: 2007

James Montgomery Flagg

James Montgomery Flagg was a renowned American painter and illustrator, born in 1877. He was known for his vivid watercolors and precise drawings. His most famous work is the iconic Uncle Sam "I Want You" poster, created during World War I.

Deathyear: 1960

Ernst Niekisch

Ernst Niekisch was a German academic, politician, and economist born in 1889. He was a prominent figure in the Weimar Republic and served as a deputy to the Prussian Landtag. Niekisch was a left-wing politician who advocated for socialist and communist ideologies.

Deathyear: 1967