October 17 birthdays and deaths:

Puyi

Puyi, also known as Aisin-Gioro Puyi, was the last emperor of the Qing dynasty, ruling China from 1908-1912 and again from 1934-1945. Born in 1906, he was enthroned at age 2 and abdicated at 7. His life was marked by struggles with the Republic of China and Japanese occupation.

Deathyear: 1967

Frédéric Chopin

Frédéric Chopin was a renowned Polish pianist and composer of the Romantic era. Born in 1810, he is celebrated for his delicate, expressive piano works, including nocturnes, waltzes, and mazurkas. His music remains a staple of piano repertoire, captivating audiences with its delicate beauty and emotional depth.

Deathyear: 1849

J. Bruce Ismay

J. Bruce Ismay was a British businessman and director of the White Star Line, which operated the RMS Titanic. Born in 1862, Ismay was vice-President and managing director of the line when the ship sank in 1912.

Deathyear: 1937

Joey Bishop

Joey Bishop was an American actor, comedian, and talk show host, born on February 3, 1918. He rose to fame as a member of the "Rat Pack" alongside Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.

Deathyear: 2007

Jean-Jacques Dessalines

Jean-Jacques Dessalines was a Haitian commander and politician who played a key role in the Haitian Revolution. Born in 1758, he was a prominent figure in Haiti's fight for independence from French colonial rule, serving as Governor-General of Haiti from 1804 to 1806.

Deathyear: 1806

Tennessee Ernie Ford

Tennessee Ernie Ford was a renowned American singer and actor, best known for his booming baritone voice and energetic stage presence. Born in 1919, Ford rose to fame with his hits "The Shotgun Boogie" and "Sixteen Tons."

Deathyear: 1991

Masaru Emoto

Masaru Emoto, a Japanese author and activist, has dedicated his life to researching the hidden patterns and messages in water, exposing the truth about the world and our existence.

Deathyear: 2014

Levi Stubbs

Levi Stubbs, renowned American singer, was born on June 6, 1936. He rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the legendary vocal group The Four Tops, known for their hits like "I'll Be There" and "Reach Out I'll Be There".

Deathyear: 2008

Joan Hickson

Joan Hickson was an esteemed English actress, best known for her portrayal of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple in the ATV series (1984-1992). With a career spanning six decades, Hickson's iconic performance earned her widespread acclaim and cemented her legendary status in British television.

Deathyear: 1998

Gord Downie

Gord Downie was a Canadian musician and singer-songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip. Known for his powerful voice and poetic lyrics, Downie was a beloved figure in Canadian music, passing away in 2017 at the age of 53.

Deathyear: 2017

Patrice de MacMahon

Patrice de MacMahon, Duke of Magenta, was a French general and politician who served as the 3rd President of France from 1873 to 1879. He played a crucial role in the Franco-Prussian War and later became a prominent figure in French politics.

Deathyear: 1893

Elijah Cummings

Elijah Cummings was a powerful and passionate advocate for civil rights and social justice. As a U.S. Representative from Maryland, he championed voting rights, healthcare, and education reform. His unwavering commitment to justice inspired a generation of activists and leaders.

Deathyear: 2019

Kannadasan

Kannadasan, a renowned Indian author, poet, and songwriter, born in 1927, is credited with penning numerous Tamil films’ soundtracks, including iconic songs like "Rathgebera" and "MGR's Ponmudi."

Deathyear: 1981

Philip Sidney

Philip Sidney, a renowned English courtier, poet, and warrior, was born in 1554. He wrote critically acclaimed works, including "Astrophil and Stella". He also played a key role in the thwarted plot to assassinate Queen Mary I. His adventurous life was cut short in 1586 due to wounds sustained in the Siege of Zutphen.

Deathyear: 1586

Laura Secord

Laura Secord was a Canadian heroic figure who played a crucial role in the War of 1812. She warned British forces of an impending American attack at Beaver Dams, allowing the British to prepare and defeat the Americans.

Deathyear: 1868

Karl Kautsky

Karl Kautsky, a prominent Austro-Hungarian-German journalist, philosopher, and Marxist theoretician, played a crucial role in shaping German Social Democracy. He was a key figure in the Marx-Engels circle, contributing to influential works such as Das Kapital and promoting revolutionary socialism through his writings and leadership in the SPD.

Deathyear: 1938

Gustav Kirchhoff

Gustav Kirchhoff, a renowned German physicist and chemist, made groundbreaking contributions to the fields of spectroscopy and thermodynamics. Born in 1824, he devised the Kirchhoff's laws, pioneering the study of black-body radiation and the discovery of the Doppler effect, revolutionizing our understanding of light and heat.

Deathyear: 1887

Julia Ward Howe

Julia Ward Howe, a prominent American poet and songwriter, was born in 1819. She is best known for writing the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," a national anthem that became an iconic symbol of the American Civil War.

Deathyear: 1910

Howard Kendall

Howard Kendall was a renowned English footballer and manager, born in 1946. As a midfielder, he played for Liverpool, Everton, and the England national team, earning 34 caps. He later managed Hull City, Everton, and Crystal Palace before retiring in 2011.

Deathyear: 2015

Margaret Mary Alacoque

Margaret Mary Alacoque was a French Catholic nun and mystic born in 1647. She received visions from Jesus in 1674, which led to the institution of the Sacrament of the Eucharist on the First Fridays of each month, now known as the "First Friday Devotion".

Deathyear: 1690

Teresa Brewer

Teresa Brewer, born on March 7, 1931, is a renowned American singer celebrated for her smooth, soulful voice and versatility in genres like jazz, pop, and rock and roll.

Deathyear: 2007

Ingeborg Bachmann

Ingeborg Bachmann was a prominent Austrian author and poet, born in 1926. Her work often explored themes of love, loss, and identity. She was a Nobel Prize nominee and won the Georg Büchner Prize.

Deathyear: 1973

Pierre Laporte

Pierre Laporte was a Canadian journalist, lawyer, and politician. Born in 1921, he was a professor, lawyer, and politician. He served as a Minister of Justice in Pierre Trudeau's government. Laporte was kidnapped and murdered by the Quebec Labour Solidarity Front in 1970 during the October Crisis.

Deathyear: 1970

Raymond Aron

Raymond Aron, a renowned French sociologist, political scientist, and philosopher, was born in 1905. He made significant contributions to the fields of social and political theory, drawing on his experiences as a Jewish intellectual in wartime France. His work emphasized the importance of liberty, equality, and democracy.

Deathyear: 1983

Johann Nepomuk Hummel

Johann Nepomuk Hummel was a renowned Austrian pianist and composer, born in 1778. A student of Mozart and Haydn, he was known for his elegant and expressive piano works, including his Piano Concertos and operas.

Deathyear: 1837

Nikolay Chernyshevsky

Nikolay Chernyshevsky was a prominent Russian philosopher and critic born in 1828. He was a key figure in the development of Critical Realism, a philosophical movement emphasizing the importance of empirical observation and social justice.

Deathyear: 1889

Ben Weider

Ben Weider, a Canadian entrepreneur, co-founded the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness in 1946. A pioneer in the fitness industry, he promoted bodybuilding and fitness globally through competitions, publications, and events. Born in 1923, Weider's legacy continues to inspire generations of athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Deathyear: 2008

Natalia Goncharova

Natalia Goncharova was a Russian avant-garde artist, known for her vibrant and expressive paintings, as well as her work in costume and set design. Born in 1882, she was a pioneer of abstract art and a key figure in the development of Cubism and Futurism.

Deathyear: 1962

Criss Oliva

Criss Oliva, born in 1963, was an American guitarist and songwriter known for his work with the band Savatage. He was a highly influential musician, with a unique and innovative style that blended elements of rock, metal, and classical music.

Deathyear: 1993

Chris Acland

Chris Acland is a British musician and drummer, born in 1966. He rose to fame as a member of the shoegaze band Lush, contributing to their dreamy, swirling sound with his distinctive drumming style and distinctive vocals.

Deathyear: 1996

Jay Livingston

Jay Livingston was an American singer-songwriter born in 1915. He is best known for his work as a lyricist, co-writing popular songs such as "Mona Lisa" and "Caesar's Across the Nile". He collaborated with composer Ray Evans, creating many hit songs for Hollywood musicals and films.

Deathyear: 2001

Lou Scheimer

Lou Scheimer was a legendary animator, producer, and voice actor, co-founding Filmation Company in 1963. Born in 1928, he brought joy to generations through beloved animated TV shows like "Fat Albert" and "He-Man." Scheimer passed away in 2013, leaving behind a rich legacy in the world of animation.

Deathyear: 2013

Hakeem Muhammad Saeed

Hakim Said was a Pakistani scholar and politician who served as the 20th Governor of Sindh from 1988 to 1991. Born in 1920, he was a prominent figure in Pakistani politics and academia, known for his progressive ideas and contributions to education and development.

Deathyear: 1998

Rehavam Ze'evi

I think you may be mistaken. Rehavam Ze'evi was a Israeli politician, General, and historian, but he was assassinated in 2001, not born in 1926.

Deathyear: 2001

Jacques Hadamard

Jacques Hadamard was a French mathematician and academic who made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics, physics, and philosophy. He was a pioneer in the development of functional analysis and made important discoveries in the areas of differential and algebraic geometry.

Deathyear: 1963

Vic Mizzy

Vic Mizzy was an American composer, songwriter, and music producer, best known for creating catchy, humorous themes for TV shows like "The Addams Family" and "Green Acres." His quirky, memorable melodies have become iconic in American pop culture.

Deathyear: 2009