October 2 birthdays and deaths:

Tom Petty

Tom Petty, born in 1950, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He co-founded the Heartbreakers in 1976 and released hit albums like "Damn the Torpedoes" and "Full Moon Fever." His music spanned rock, country, and folk styles, showcasing his distinctive voice and storytelling ability.

Deathyear: 2017

Rock Hudson

Rock Hudson was a iconic American actor, starring in over 60 films, including romantic comedies and dramas. With his chiseled good looks and charming smile, he became a Hollywood heartthrob, captivating audiences and earning an Academy Award nomination for "Pillow Talk" in 1959.

Deathyear: 1985

Jamal Khashoggi

Jamal Khashoggi was a prominent Saudi journalist and dissident, known for his criticism of the Saudi government's human rights record. He wrote for the Washington Post and was a voice for liberal reform in Saudi Arabia before his assassination in 2018.

Deathyear: 2018

Sacheen Littlefeather

Sacheen Littlefeather, a pioneering Native American actress, model, and activist, rose to fame as a symbol of Native American civil rights. Born in 1946, she made history as the first Native American to appear on the Academy Awards red carpet and advocate for Native American representation in media.

Deathyear: 2022

K. Kamaraj

K. Kamaraj was a prominent Indian politician and lawyer, best known for his leadership in the Indian independence movement and his role as the Chief Minister of Madras (1954-1963).

Deathyear: 1975

Gene Autry

Gene Autry, known as the "Singing Cowboy," was a beloved American actor, singer, and guitarist. With a career spanning over 60 years, he starred in over 90 films, released numerous albums, and became a cultural icon of the American West.

Deathyear: 1998

Samuel Adams

Samuel Adams was a Founding Father, patriot, and statesman who served as Governor of Massachusetts from 1794 to 1797. Born in 1722, he was a leading figure in the American Enlightenment and played a key role in the American Revolution, advocating for independence from Britain.

Deathyear: 1803

Marcel Duchamp

Marcel Duchamp was a French pioneer of conceptual art, known for his provocative and humorous works that blurred the lines between art and everyday life. He was born in 1887 and is considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

Deathyear: 1968

Nipsey Russell

Nipsey Russell was an American comedian and actor, known for his witty observations and humorous commentary. Born in 1918, Russell gained fame through his roles in films, television shows, and stand-up comedy performances, entertaining audiences with his unique style and comedic charm.

Deathyear: 2005

August Wilson

August Wilson was a renowned American playwright and author known for his powerful, poignant works that explored the African American experience. Born in 1945, Wilson's plays, such as "Fences" and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," are celebrated for their honest depictions of black life, history, and culture.

Deathyear: 2005

Charles Lee (general)

Charles Lee was a British-born American general and adventurer. Born in 1732, he served as a British officer in the War of the Austrian Succession before defecting to the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, earning him recognition as a commander and strategist.

Deathyear: 1782

John André

John André was an English soldier and spy who played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War. Born in 1750, André served as an aide-de-camp to General Charles Cornwallis before being captured by American forces in 1780. He was executed by hanging for his role in Benedict Arnold's plot.

Deathyear: 1780

Francis Lee (footballer)

Francis Lee is a former English footballer who played as a striker from 1964 to 1980. Born in 1944, Lee scored 178 goals in 426 league games, earning 27 caps for England, and was known for his clinical finishing and aerial ability.

Deathyear: 2023

Svante Arrhenius

Swedish physicist and chemist Svante Arrhenius (1859-1927) pioneered work in physical chemistry, winning the 1903 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. His contributions included the Arrhenius equation, explaining reaction rates, and postulating the greenhouse effect's relationship to atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Deathyear: 1927

Madeleine Carroll

Madeleine Carroll, a talented English actress, was born in 1906. She enjoyed a successful career in the 1930s and 1940s, starring in films like "The 39 Steps" and "Secret Agent". Her beauty and sophistication on screen earned her the nickname "The Gibson Girl".

Deathyear: 1987

Hazel Scott

Hazel Scott was a Trinidadian-American activist, actress, and musician born in 1920. She was a pioneering figure in the Civil Rights Movement, known for her performances in Hollywood films and music.

Deathyear: 1981

Ivan Mazepa

Ivan Mazepa was a Ukrainian diplomat and Hetman of the Zaporozhian Host from 1687 to 1708. He played a crucial role in slowing Russia's expansion, but his rebellion against Peter the Great failed, leading to his death in 1709.

Deathyear: 1709

Kwa Geok Choo

Kwa Geok Choo was a pioneering Singaporean lawyer and scholar, born in 1920. She was the first female student to graduate from the University of Hong Kong's Law Faculty and was a vocal advocate for women's rights, playing a key role in shaping Singapore's education system.

Deathyear: 2010

François Arago

François Arago was a renowned French mathematician, physicist, astronomer, and politician. Born in 1786, he made significant contributions to the development of science and politics.

Deathyear: 1853

Paavo Nurmi

Paavo Nurmi, nicknamed "The Flying Finn," was a Finnish runner who dominated the track during the 1920s. He set 22 world records, won 12 Olympic medals, and set multiple world records with his incredible endurance and speed.

Deathyear: 1973

Max Bruch

Max Bruch was a renowned German composer and conductor, born in 1838. He is best known for his concertos, symphonies, and choral works, including his iconic Violin Concerto No. 1.

Deathyear: 1920

William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire

William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire, was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1756 to 1757. Born in 1720, he was also a prominent Member of Parliament and a patron of the arts.

Deathyear: 1764

Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot

Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot, a French engineer, developed the first self-propelled vehicle in 1769. His steam-powered three-wheeled carriage, "Fardier à vapeur", was slow and cumbersome, but marked the beginning of mechanized transportation, paving the way for future innovations in engineering and transportation.

Deathyear: 1804

Peter Medawar

Peter Medawar was a renowned British zoologist and biologist, awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1960. He made significant contributions to understanding immunology and the biology of aging.

Deathyear: 1987

George Grizzard

George Grizzard was a prolific American actor, renowned for his versatility in film, television, and theater. With a career spanning over four decades, he appeared in numerous productions, earning a Tony Award and a Golden Globe nomination. He is best remembered for his roles in TV's "East Side/West Side" and "All My Children."

Deathyear: 2007

Brian Friel

Brian Friel was a renowned Irish author, playwright, and director, credited with revitalizing Irish theatre. His works, such as "Dancing at Lughnasa" and "Translations," explore themes of identity, culture, and history, earn him international acclaim and numerous awards.

Deathyear: 2015

Wu Sangui

Wu Sangui was a renowned Qing Chinese general born in 1612. He led the Ming loyalists against the Qing invasion and surrendered after the Ming dynasty's fall. He later betrayed the Qing and allied with the Ming remnants, but was eventually captured and executed in 1678.

Deathyear: 1678

J. Philippe Rushton

I'm happy to provide you with the 40-word description of J. Philippe Rushton: J. Philippe Rushton was a psychologist, theorist, and professor who pioneered research on intelligence, genetics, and personality. Known for his controversial theories on race differences, he received both praise and criticism for his work, which remains a topic of debate in the scientific community.

Deathyear: 2012

Paul Hartman

Paul Hartman was an American actor and dancer, born in 1904. He appeared in numerous stage and film productions, including the Broadway show "Shuffle Along" and the 1936 film "The Singing Kid." Hartman's career spanned decades, showcasing his talents in both comedy and drama.

Deathyear: 1973

Michael II

Michael II (820-829 CE) was a Byzantine emperor who ruled from 820 to 829 CE. He seized the throne after a palace coup and appointed Theodotos the Chamberlain as regent for his young son Thomas. Michael was a skilled diplomat and strategist who strengthened the Byzantine Empire's borders.

Deathyear: 829

Hamengkubuwono IX

Hamengkubuwono IX was the last Sultan of Yogyakarta and Vice President of Indonesia from 1973 to 1978. He played a crucial role in Indonesian politics, serving as a strong advocate for human rights and social justice, earning him international recognition and respect.

Deathyear: 1988

Alec Issigonis

Alec Issigonis, a brilliant English car designer, created the iconic Mini in the late 1950s. Born in 1906, Issigonis' innovative design revolutionized the automotive industry with the Mini's compact size, fuel efficiency, and affordability, making it a beloved classic.

Deathyear: 1988

Robert Bourassa

Robert Bourassa was a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the 22nd Premier of Quebec from 1970 to 1976 and again from 1985 to 1994. He was a prominent figure in Quebec politics, known for his moderate stance on issues like Quebec's sovereignty.

Deathyear: 1996

Paul Halmos

Paul Halmos was a renowned Hungarian-American mathematician, born in 1916. Known for his contributions to functional analysis, operator theory, and probability theory, Halmos was a prolific author and educator. He wrote many seminal books and papers, shaping the discipline of mathematics for generations to come.

Deathyear: 2006

Heinz von Foerster

Heinz von Foerster was an Austrian-American physicist and philosopher known for his work in autocatalytic systems, entropy, and the beginnings of artificial life. As the director of the Biological Computer Laboratory, he explored the relationship between physics, biology, and philosophy.

Deathyear: 2002

Athalaric

Athalaric was the son of Alaric, the leader who sacked Rome in 410 CE. He succeeded his uncle, Wallia, as king of the Ostrogoths in Italy in 425 CE, but died at the age of 18 after a brief and tumultuous reign marked by power struggles and civil war.

Deathyear: 534

Neville Marriner

Neville Marriner was a renowned British conductor, best known for his work with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. With a career spanning over six decades, he was celebrated for his elegant and refined interpretations of classical music.

Deathyear: 2016