September 20 birthdays and deaths:

Jim Croce

Jim Croce was a renowned American singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his poignant, folk-infused melodies and thoughtful lyrics. With hits like "Time in a Bottle" and "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown," Croce's music continues to captivate audiences, celebrating his legacy as a soft rock icon.

Deathyear: 1973

Brian Clough

Brian Clough was a legendary English footballer and manager, known for his charismatic leadership and success on the pitch. As a player, he won the league title with Tottenham Hotspur. With Derby County, he won the European Cup Winners' Cup, and later became a beloved figure at Nottingham Forest.

Deathyear: 2004

Annie Besant

Annie Besant was a pioneering English theosophist and activist. Born in 1847, she co-founded the Theosophical Society with Helena Blavatsky, advocating for spiritual growth and social reform. She was a vocal advocate for women's suffrage, labor rights, and Indian self-rule, leaving a lasting impact on feminist and theosophical movements.

Deathyear: 1933

Simon Wiesenthal

Simon Wiesenthal, a Holocaust survivor, dedicated his life to human rights activism. Born in Austria in 1908, he escaped Nazi persecution only to become a Nazi hunter, tracking down and bringing war criminals to justice, ensuring justice for the victims of the Holocaust.

Deathyear: 2005

Erich Hartmann

Erich Hartmann, a renowned German fighter ace, was a high-scoring Luftwaffe pilot who flew over 1,800 missions during WWII. He shot down 352 enemy aircraft, making him the most successful fighter pilot in history.

Deathyear: 1993

Paul Erdős

Paul Erdős (1913-1996) was a renowned Hungarian-Polish mathematician who collaborated with numerous colleagues, amassing over 1,500 publications. His work spanned number theory, combinatorics, and geometry, earning him numerous awards and cementing his legacy as one of the most prolific mathematicians of the 20th century.

Deathyear: 1996

Jean Sibelius

Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important composers of his generation, best known for his symphonies, piano music, and nationalistic works inspired by Finnish culture.

Deathyear: 1957

Fiorello La Guardia

Fiorello H. La Guardia, 99th Mayor of New York City, served from 1934 to 1945. A charismatic lawyer and politician, he championed social and labor reform, improving city services, and promoting a strong economy, earning him a reputation as one of the most effective mayors in NYC history.

Deathyear: 1947

Fletcher Christian

Fletcher Christian was a British sailor and lieutenant who led the famous mutiny on the HMS Bounty in 1789. Born in England in 1764, Christian was a skilled sailor who grew disillusioned with life at sea, leading him to lead the rebellion that would become infamous in maritime history.

Deathyear: 1793

Polly Bergen

Polly Bergen was a versatile American actress, singer, and entertainer born on July 3, 1930. She gained fame for her roles in film and television, including "The Rose Tattoo" and "To Love and to Cherish." Bergen also released several music albums and won an Emmy Award.

Deathyear: 2014

Curtis Hanson

Curtis Hanson was a renowned American film director and screenwriter, born in 1945. Notable for directing films like "L.A. Confidential" (1997), "8 Mile" (2002), and "In Her Shoes" (2005), Hanson's cinematic style blended crime thrills with nuanced character studies.

Deathyear: 2016

Jack Larson

Jack Larson, a versatility actor, is best known for his iconic role as Jimmy Olsen in the classic TV series "Superboy" (1958-1960), and also appeared in films like "Apache" (1954) and "The Lost Missile" (1958), showcasing his range and charm on screen.

Deathyear: 2015

Burhanuddin Rabbani

Burhanuddin Rabbani was an Afghan academic and politician who served as the 10th President of Afghanistan from 1992 to 1996. He was a prominent figure in Afghan politics and a strong advocate for Islam and Islamic values.

Deathyear: 2011

Steve Goodman

Steve Goodman was a legendary American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in 1948. Known for his folk-rock storytelling and witty lyrics, he released iconic albums like "Steve Goodman" and "Chest Fever", and counted Bob Dylan among his friends.

Deathyear: 1984

Jacob Grimm

Jacob Grimm (1785-1863) was a renowned German philologist and mythologist who made significant contributions to the fields of linguistics, folklore, and literature. He is best known for his groundbreaking work on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales and his studies on Germanic languages and mythology.

Deathyear: 1863

Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset

Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset, was the son of Richard Grey and brother of Edmund Grey, 1st Earl of Kent. He was the stepson of King Edward IV of England and was known for his significant role in royal politics, serving as a Lieutenant of Ireland and a Knight of the Garter.

Deathyear: 1501

Ibn Taymiyya

Ibn Taymiyyah (1263-1328) was a prominent Syrian theologian and Islamic scholar. He was a professor at the University of Damascus, advocating for a return to the teachings of the early Islamic tradition, criticizing excesses and innovations in Islamic thought and advocating for a middle path, known as the 'middle way'.

Deathyear: 1328

Leonard Skinner

Leonard Skinner was a Korean War veteran and educator, born in 1933. He is perhaps most famous for being the inspiration behind the 1970s hit song "Layla" by Derek and the Dominos.

Deathyear: 2010

Jule Styne

Jule Styne was a renowned American composer, born in 1905, known for his prolific output of show tunes, film scores, and pop songs. His iconic works include "Gypsy," "Funny Girl," "Funny Lady," and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," cementing his legacy as a master of musical theater.

Deathyear: 1994

Robert Emmet

Robert Emmet, a prominent Irish republican, led a rebellion against British rule in 1803. Born in 1780, Emmet was a key figure in the United Irishmen movement, seeking independence for Ireland. He was captured, tried, and executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering for his rebellious actions.

Deathyear: 1803

Sergei Bodrov Jr.

Sergei Bodrov Jr. was a Russian actor, director, and screenwriter, born in 1971. He is known for his roles in films such as "Prisoner of the Mountains" and "Wild Poppies". His work often explores themes of Russian culture and identity.

Deathyear: 2002

Jagmohan Dalmiya

Jagmohan Dalmiya was a Indian businessman and former BCCI President, known for his contributions to Indian cricket. He is credited with revitalizing the sport in India and his tenure saw the country win the 1983 World Cup.

Deathyear: 2015

Eduard Wirths

Eduard Wirths (1909-1944) was a German physician who developed and implemented the infamous Nazi "T-4 Euthanasia Program", which aimed to "improve" society by murdering the mentally ill, disabled, and Jewish patients.

Deathyear: 1945

Gherman Titov

Gherman Titov was a Russian cosmonaut, pilot, and engineer who became the second human to orbit the Earth in 1961. He spent over 24 hours in space on the Vostok 2 spacecraft, earning hero status in the Soviet Union.

Deathyear: 2000

James Westerfield

James Westerfield was an American actor born in 1913. He appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including "The Ten Commandments," "The Asphalt Jungle," and "Bonanza." He continued acting until his retirement in the 1980s.

Deathyear: 1971

José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia

José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia was a influential Paraguayan lawyer and politician who served as Consul of Paraguay from 1811 to 1840. As an authoritarian ruler, he implemented progressive reforms, consolidated national power, and promoted education and infrastructure development in the newly independent country.

Deathyear: 1840

Pablo de Sarasate

Pablo de Sarasate was a renowned Spanish violinist and composer, born in 1844. He was known for his elegant and virtuosic playing style, and composed many works for the violin, including the famous "Carmen" fantasy.

Deathyear: 1908

Kārlis Ulmanis

Kārlis Ulmanis was a Latvian businessman and politician who served as Prime Minister from 1918-1921 and President from 1936-1940. He played a key role in Latvia's declaration of independence and was a strong advocate for the country's sovereignty.

Deathyear: 1942

Anne Beauchamp, 16th Countess of Warwick

Anne Neville (1426-1485) was the Duchess of Buckingham and Countess of Warwick, marrying Edward Plantagenet (King Edward IV's brother) in 1470. She was a member of the nobility and a connection to the royal family, known for her beauty and strength in politics.

Deathyear: 1492

Sven Nykvist

Swedish filmmaker Sven Nykvist (1922-2006) was a renowned director, producer, and cinematographer. He worked extensively in film and television, known for his camerawork on iconic films like "Ingmar Bergman's" "Cries and Whispers" and "Scenes from a Marriage".

Deathyear: 2006

Theodor Fontane

Theodor Fontane was a celebrated German author and poet, born in 1819. He penned numerous novels and poetry collections, exploring themes of history, culture, and human relationships. Considered one of Germany's most important literary figures, Fontane's works remain influential to this day.

Deathyear: 1898

William Seabrook

William Seabrook was a renowned American occultist, journalist, and explorer. Born in 1884, he was fascinated by the unknown and the supernatural. He wrote extensively on the occult, magic, and secret societies, and was a pioneer in the field of esoteric studies.

Deathyear: 1945

Giorgos Seferis

Giorgos Seferis was a renowned Greek poet, diplomat, and 1963 Nobel Prize laureate. Born in 1900, he embodied Greek culture and nationalism through his poetic works, exploring themes of history, culture, and politics. His poetry is celebrated for its lyricism, depth, and profound understanding of human nature.

Deathyear: 1971

Anthony Babington

Sir Anthony Babington was an English Catholic conspirator who hatched a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I in 1586. Born in 1561, he was executed for treason at the age of 25, along with other conspirators, including Mary, Queen of Scots, who was implicated in the plot.

Deathyear: 1586

Ludvík Svoboda

Ludvík Svoboda, a renowned Czech general and politician, served as the 8th President of Czechoslovakia from 1968 until his death in 1979. Svoboda played a significant role during World War II and became a national hero for his bravery.

Deathyear: 1979

Frederick I, Elector of Brandenburg

Frederick I, Elector of Brandenburg, born 1371, was a skilled diplomat and military leader. He strengthened Brandenburg's position in the Holy Roman Empire, forging alliances and acquiring territories. His diplomatic acumen earned him the nickname "the wise" and secured his legacy as a respected ruler.

Deathyear: 1440