May 7 birthdays and deaths:

H. H. Holmes

Harry H. Holmes, born Herman Webster Mudgett in 1856, was an American serial killer who confessed to murdering 27 people during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. His torture chamber in "The Murder Castle" was designed to intimidate and kill victims.

Deathyear: 1896

Alluri Sitarama Raju

Alluri Sitarama Raju was an Indian revolutionary who fought against British colonial rule in India. Born around 1897/98, he was a key figure in the Indian independence movement, known for his bravery and martyrdom at the young age of 23.

Deathyear: 1924

Steve Albini

Steve Albini is a renowned American musician, record producer, audio engineer, and music journalist born in 1962. Known for his work with Big Black, Rapeman, and shellac, he's also produced albums for indie and mainstream acts like Nirvana, Nirvana, and Jimmy Page.

Deathyear: 2024

United Airlines Flight 232

Dennis E. Fitch, born in 1942, is a renowned American captain and pilot with extensive experience. He served as a Boeing 747 pilot and was part of the test team for the 777 program.

Deathyear: 2012

Antonio Salieri

Antonio Salieri, a renowned Italian composer and conductor, was born in 1750. He is best known for his operas, including "Tarare" and "Armida," which premiered in Vienna. Salieri was a prominent figure in the Viennese musical scene, collaborating with composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven.

Deathyear: 1825

Seve Ballesteros

Seve Ballesteros was a Spanish professional golfer born in 1957. He won three Opens Championships and numerous other titles. His charismatic personality and swashbuckling style enamored fans worldwide. His legacy as a pioneer of modern golf and a Spanish sporting icon endures.

Deathyear: 2011

Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was a versatile American icon, born in 1909, who excelled as both a Hollywood actor and naval officer. He starred in films like "The Dawn Patrol" and "Gunga Din," while serving as a captain in the USN during World War II.

Deathyear: 2000

Eddie Rabbitt

Eddie Rabbitt, a country music icon, was born in 1941. He is known for his unique blend of country, rock, and pop. With hits like "I Love a Rainy Night" and "Drivin' My Life Away", Rabbitt's music has been enjoyed by generations of music lovers.

Deathyear: 1998

Caspar David Friedrich

Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840) was a German Romantic painter and educator. His landscapes, often featuring forests, mountains, and churches, explored the human relationship with nature and the sublime. He taught at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts and influenced the development of German art.

Deathyear: 1840

Frank DiPascali

Frank DiPascali Jr. is a convicted American businessman, born in 1956. As the CFO of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, he was involved in a massive Ponzi scheme that defrauded thousands of investors out of billions of dollars.

Deathyear: 2015

Otto the Great

Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor (912-973), was a powerful ruler who conquered Italy and united the Germanic tribes, establishing the Holy Roman Empire. He defeated the Hungarians and promoted the Reformation by coronating Charlemagne's son Louis the Pious as Holy Roman Emperor.

Deathyear: 973

Isabella Blow

Isabella Blow was a renowned English magazine editor and stylist, known for her eclectic sense of style and her unwavering support of young designers. Born in 1958, Blow was a driving force in the fashion world, and her influence continues to inspire and influence designers to this day.

Deathyear: 2007

Mary of Modena

Mary of Modena (1658-1718) was a consort to King James II of England and VII of Scotland. Born in Italy, she married James in 1673 and became Queen of England and Scotland. Her husband's overthrow in the Glorious Revolution led to her departure from the throne.

Deathyear: 1718

Yahweh ben Yahweh

Yahweh ben Yahweh, an American cult leader, founded the Nation of Yahweh in the 1950s. Born in 1935, he preached a black nationalist and anti-Semitic message, claiming himself to be the "nourisher" and "father" of the group. He was sentenced to life in prison for multiple murders.

Deathyear: 2007

Diego Corrales

Diego Corrales was a talented American boxer known for his aggressive fighting style and formidable punching power. Born on August 25, 1977, he won the WBC super featherweight title in 2003 and held it for three years, retiring in 2008 with a record of 41-5.

Deathyear: 2007

George Lansbury

George Lansbury (1859-1940) was a British journalist and politician. He served as the leader of the Labour Party from 1932 to 1935.

Deathyear: 1940

Feodor III of Russia

Feodor III, the 16-year-old son of Alexis I, ruled Russia from 1676 until his death in 1682. Known for his eccentric and cruel behavior, he attempted to reform the Russian Orthodox Church and persecuted Ukrainian Cossacks, leading to widespread discontent and ultimately, his assassination.

Deathyear: 1682

Herbert Macaulay

Herbert Macaulay was a Nigerian journalist, politician, and nationalist who played a significant role in Nigeria's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. He was a prominent leader of the nationalists who fought for Nigeria's independence.

Deathyear: 1946

Colin Blakely

Colin Blakely (1930-1984) was a renowned Northern Irish actor, known for his versatility and nuanced performances in film, television, and theater. He appeared in iconic roles, including General Melish in "Shadey Rows" and Captain Terence O'Neill in "The Field of Blood".

Deathyear: 1987

William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne

William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne, was a prominent Irish-English politician who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1782 to 1783. Born in 1737, he was known for his role in ending the American Revolutionary War and shaping the Treaty of Paris.

Deathyear: 1805

William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme

William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme, was a British businessman and politician born in 1851. He inherited the Lever Brothers soap and candle company and expanded it, creating a vast fortune and becoming a prominent figure in Manchester society. He was later elevated to the peerage as Viscount Leverhulme in 1892.

Deathyear: 1925

Warner Baxter

Warner Baxter was a renowned American actor, born in 1889, known for his dashing good looks and charismatic stage presence. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Alexander Hamilton, solidifying his status as a Hollywood leading man of the 1920s and 1930s.

Deathyear: 1951

James George Frazer

James George Frazer, a renowned Scottish-English anthropologist, was born in 1854. He is best known for his comprehensive six-volume work "The Golden Bough", which explores the relationship between mythology and folklore across cultures, providing insights into the earliest human societies.

Deathyear: 1941

Clement Greenberg

Clement Greenberg (1909-1994) was a prominent American art critic, known for his influential writings on modern and contemporary art. He was a prominent figure in the development of abstract expressionism and shaped the American art world with his insightful critiques and articles.

Deathyear: 1994

Ibn Hisham

Ibn Hisham (709-776 CE) was an Egyptian Muslim historian and scholar. He is best known for his biography of the Prophet Muhammad, which is considered one of the most authoritative sources on the life of the Prophet.

Deathyear: 833

Albert Ball

Albert Ball, a talented English fighter pilot, was born in 1896. He shot down 43 German planes during WWI, earning the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order, and other honors. His bravery and exceptional flying skills made him a legendary figure in British aviation history.

Deathyear: 1917

William I of Sicily

William I, also known as William the Bad, was King of Sicily from 1154 to 1166. He was the first king of Sicily to be crowned by a papal legate, and his reign was marked by conflicts with the Normandy and the Byzantine Empire.

Deathyear: 1166