September 17 birthdays and deaths:

Spiro Agnew

Spiro Agnew, a decorated World War II veteran and politician, served as the 39th Vice President of the United States from 1969 to 1973, resigning amid allegations of bribery and tax evasion.

Deathyear: 1996

Hildegard of Bingen

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was a renowned German abbess, writer, composer, healer, and naturalist. As a polymath, she authored theological and scientific works, created musical compositions, and wrote on medicine and natural history. Her legacy reflects her boundless intellectual and creative faculties.

Deathyear: 1179

Karl Popper

Karl Popper, a renowned Austrian-English philosopher and academic, questioned traditional knowledge and power dynamics. He advocated for falsifiability in science and criticized totalitarianism. His philosophical endeavors had a profound impact on various fields, earning him international recognition.

Deathyear: 1994

Red Skelton

Red Skelton was a beloved American actor and comedian, best known for his iconic roles in films such as "The Fuller Brush Man" and "The Yellow Submarine". He was also a noted comedian, mesmerizing audiences with his signature pantomime routine, "Freddie and the Doughboy".

Deathyear: 1997

Philip IV of Spain

Philip IV, King of Spain from 1621 to 1665, was the son of King Philip III. He was a patron of the arts and a strong supporter of the Spanish Inquisition. His reign was marked by conflict with the Dutch Republic, defeat in the Thirty Years' War, and economic decline.

Deathyear: 1665

Bobby Heenan

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan was a legendary American professional wrestling manager, known for his quick wit and clever promos. With a career spanning over three decades, he managed various wrestlers, including Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, and The Ultimate Warrior, earning him a spot in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.

Deathyear: 2017

Dred Scott

Dred Scott, an enslaved African American, was born around 1795. He was the property of an Army doctor and eventually sued for his freedom, arguing that his time living in a free state made him free. His case, Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857), was a landmark Supreme Court decision.

Deathyear: 1858

Richard Basehart

Richard Basehart was an American actor and director, born in 1914. He is best known for his iconic roles in films like "Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet" and TV series "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" as well as his work with Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre.

Deathyear: 1984

Vitas Gerulaitis

Vitas Gerulaitis was a talented American tennis player and coach, born in 1954. He won four ATP titles and was a doubles specialist, teaming with Peter Fleming to win the 1979 US Open doubles title.

Deathyear: 1994

Sabbatai Zevi

Sabbatai Zevi was a Turkish rabbi and scholar born in 1626. He was known for his charismatic preaching and writings on Kabbalah. He also fascinated European Jewish leaders and mystics with his claims to be the Messiah.

Deathyear: 1676

Folke Bernadotte

Folke Bernadotte was a Swedish soldier and diplomat who played a crucial role in the Holocaust. Born in 1895, he risked his life to negotiate the release of over 31,000 Jews and others from the Theresienstadt concentration camp after World War II.

Deathyear: 1948

Anastasio Somoza Debayle

Anastasio Somoza Debayle was a Nicaraguan commander and politician who served as the 73rd President of Nicaragua from 1967 to 1972. He was a grandson of Augusto César Sandino's rival, Anastasio Somoza García, and followed in his footsteps as a ruthless dictator, suppressing opposition and dissent.

Deathyear: 1980

Cokie Roberts

Cokie Roberts, a pioneering journalist and bestselling author, brought her signature warmth and wit to broadcast news, politics, and memoirs. With a storied career spanning four decades, she won numerous awards, including the Peabody, Emmy, and multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards, solidifying her legacy in American journalism.

Deathyear: 2019

Ted Binion

Ted Binion, a charismatic and wealthy poker player and businessman, was born in 1943. He inherited a vast fortune from his family's mining and real estate ventures. His life was marked by wealth, adventure, and scandal, including his tragic death in 1998 at the age of 52.

Deathyear: 1998

Abdelaziz Bouteflika

Abdelaziz Bouteflika is an Algerian politician and former President of Algeria, serving from 1999 to 2019. Born in 1937, he played a key role in Algeria's independence struggle and was a prominent figure in the country's post-independence politics.

Deathyear: 2021

Adnan Menderes

Adnan Menderes was a Turkish lawyer and politician who served as the 9th Prime Minister of Turkey from 1950 to 1960. He was known for his democratic reforms and secularism, but was overthrown in a military coup in 1960.

Deathyear: 1961

Edmonia Lewis

Edmonia Lewis was a renowned American sculptor of mixed African and Native American descent. Born into slavery in 1844, she overcame obstacles to become one of the first African American women to gain international recognition for her neoclassical sculptures, showcasing her mastery of technique and artistic expression.

Deathyear: 1907

Robert Bellarmine

Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) was an Italian cardinal and saint. He was a prominent Catholic theologian and defender of the faith. Bellarmine served as Archbishop of Capua and was a key advisor to Pope Clement VIII. He was canonized in 1931, recognized for his holiness and dedication to the Church.

Deathyear: 1621

Eugène Viollet-le-Duc

Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was a renowned French architect and theorist, born in 1814. He restored numerous Gothic monuments, introducing innovative restoration techniques and emphasizing historical authenticity. Autorité, his theoretical writings, influenced architectural preservation and restoration practices worldwide.

Deathyear: 1879

Judah Loew ben Bezalel

Judah Loew ben Bezalel was a renowned Bohemian rabbi, mystic, and philosopher born in 1520. He was a key figure in Czech Jewish history, serving as the Chief Rabbi of Prague. His works focused on mysticism, Kabbalah, and Jewish philosophy, making him a prominent figure in Jewish thought.

Deathyear: 1609

Laura Ashley

Laura Ashley (1925-2009) was a renowned Welsh fashion designer, best known for her eponymous brand, Laura Ashley plc. She founded the company in 1955, revolutionizing femininity in fashion with her signature floral prints, embroidery, and vintage-inspired designs.

Deathyear: 1985

Henry Fox Talbot

Henry Fox Talbot, a pioneering English photographer, invented the Calotype process in 1841. Born in 1800, Talbot developed a photographic technique using silver chloride-coated paper, producing a negative image. His discovery revolutionized photography, making it more accessible and contributing to its widespread adoption.

Deathyear: 1877

Ruth Benedict

Ruth Benedict was a pioneering American anthropologist and academic, born in 1887. She is best known for her work on Japanese culture and society, and her book "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" remains a classic in the field of anthropology.

Deathyear: 1948

Akim Tamiroff

Akim Tamiroff was a versatile American actor born in 1899. He appeared in over 120 films, showcasing his range in genres like drama, comedy, and action. Notable roles included Mr. Tully in "Touch of Evil" (1958) and the corrupt cop in "The Manchurian Candidate" (1962).

Deathyear: 1972

Eiji Toyoda

Eiji Toyoda was a Japanese businessman and former president of Toyota Motor Corporation. Born in 1913, he played a significant role in Toyota's growth, introducing the Toyota Production System and expanding the company internationally.

Deathyear: 2013

Frankie Vaughan

Frankie Vaughan was a popular singer and actor in the UK, known for his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. With hits like "Tower Tango" and "Green Door," he became a household name in the 1950s and 1960s, captivating audiences with his energetic performances and charming on-screen presence.

Deathyear: 1999

Willie Mosconi

Willie Mosconi was a legendary American pool player and actor, born in 1913. He won 15 World Championships and 28 national titles, and appeared in films and TV shows, showcasing his skills.

Deathyear: 1993

Pedro Menéndez de Avilés

Pedro Menéndez de Avilés was a Spanish admiral and explorer who founded St. Augustine, Florida in 1565, becoming the first permanent European settlement in what is now the United States. He led several expeditions to the New World and played a key role in the Spanish colonization of the Americas.

Deathyear: 1574

Heinrich Bullinger

Heinrich Bullinger was a Swiss theologian and reformer, known for his moderation and compromise. As the successor to Huldrych Zwingli, he played a crucial role in shaping Swiss Reformed theology and settled the controversies surrounding the Zurich canton. His writings, especially "The Decades", are still studied today.

Deathyear: 1575

Tobias Smollett

Tobias Smollett was a renowned Scottish author, poet, and soldier. Born in 1721, he served in the British Army before becoming a prolific writer, publishing numerous novels, plays, and poems. His satirical style and vivid storytelling made him a prominent figure in 18th-century English literature.

Deathyear: 1771

Georgiy Gongadze

Georgiy Gongadze is a Georgian-Ukrainian journalist and director, born in 1969. He is known for his investigative reporting, particularly exposing corruption and human rights violations in Ukraine.

Deathyear: 2000

George Hamilton IV

George Hamilton IV, a pioneering American singer-songwriter and guitarist, was born in 1937. He rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s with his smooth, baritone voice and folk-pop sound, recording hits like "Why Not Me" and "Abilene".

Deathyear: 2014

Dick Durock

Dick Durock was a renowned American stuntman and actor, born on June 1, 1937. With a career spanning over four decades, he worked on numerous iconic films and TV shows, including "The A-Team", "The Six Million Dollar Man", and "The Incredible Hulk".

Deathyear: 2009

Thomas Selfridge

Thomas Etholen Selfridge was an American lieutenant and pilot who died in a crash on September 17, 1908, at Fort Myer, Virginia. He was the first member of the United States military to die in a plane crash.

Deathyear: 1908

Franz Xaver Süssmayr

Franz Xaver Süssmayr was an Austrian composer and director known for his operas, symphonies, and sacred music. Born in 1766, he studied under Haydn and Mozart, and became a prominent figure in Vienna's musical life, collaborating with Salieri and Beethoven.

Deathyear: 1803