September 9 birthdays and deaths:

Mao Zedong

Mao Zedong, a visionary philosopher, intellectual, and leader, revolutionary founder of the People's Republic of China. As Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, he led China's transformation from agricultural society to socialist state.

Deathyear: 1976

William the Conqueror

William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, ruled England from 1066 until his death in 1087. He conquered England in 1066, defeating Harold II at the Battle of Hastings, and imposed feudalism, establishing a strong centralized monarchy that had a lasting impact on English politics and society.

Deathyear: 1087

Edward Teller

Edward Teller, a Hungarian-American physicist, was a renowned nuclear physicist who made significant contributions to quantum mechanics and the development of the hydrogen bomb. He is also known for his role in the development of the Soviet Union's nuclear program.

Deathyear: 2003

Burgess Meredith

Burgess Meredith was a renowned American actor, director, and producer, born in 1907. He is best known for his iconic roles in films like "The Day of the Locust" and "Rocky," as well as his Emmy Award-winning portrayal of the Penguin in the "Batman" TV series.

Deathyear: 1997

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was a renowned French painter and illustrator born in 1864. Despite struggling with physical disability, he created vibrant, emotive works capturing the lives of circus performers, dancers, and cabaret performers, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of art.

Deathyear: 1901

James IV of Scotland

James IV, king of Scotland from 1488 to 1513, was a cultured and learned monarch who promoted the arts and expanded Scotland's borders. He married Margaret Tudor, Henry VIII's sister, and was killed in the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513.

Deathyear: 1513

Ahmad Shah Massoud

Ahmad Shah Massoud, a renowned Afghan commander and politician, served as the Afghan Minister of Defense from 1992 to 1996.Born in 1953, Massoud was a key figure in the Afghan conflicts, fighting against the Soviet occupation and later against the Taliban.

Deathyear: 2001

Jacques Lacan

Jacques Lacan, a French psychoanalyst and psychiatrist, developed the concept of "mirror stage" to explain how individuals form their sense of self. His work focused on the symbolism and complexity of human emotions, influencing modern psychoanalytic thought and shaping contemporary psychotherapy practices.

Deathyear: 1981

Pieter Bruegel the Elder

Pieter Bruegel the Elder, a renowned Dutch painter, born in 1525, is celebrated for his vivid landscapes, peasants, and biblical scenes. His technique of oil painting and use of symbolism, as seen in "Hunters in the Snow," has influenced generations of artists.

Deathyear: 1569

Jack L. Warner

Jack L. Warner co-founded Warner Bros. in 1923 with his brothers Harry and Albert. As a Canadian-American production manager and producer, Warner oversaw numerous successful films, including the first talkie "The Jazz Singer" (1927).

Deathyear: 1978

Samuel Doe

Samuel Doe, a Liberian field marshal and politician, served as the 21st President of Liberia from 1980 until his assassination in 1990.

Deathyear: 1990

Verghese Kurien

Verghese Kurien, an Indian engineer and entrepreneur, founded the Amul dairy cooperative in 1946. He innovated dairy production, making it profitable for small farmers. Kurien's efforts transformed India's dairy industry, creating a prosperous rural economy.

Deathyear: 2012

Ruth Roman

Ruth Roman is an American actress born in 1922. With a distinguished career spanning over 50 years, Roman gained recognition for her roles in films like "The Killers" and "Cattle Drive", as well as her portrayals on television, earning numerous awards and nominations throughout her outstanding acting career.

Deathyear: 1999

Catfish Hunter

Catfish Hunter, born in 1946, was an American professional baseball player who won 224 games with a 3.21 ERA, earning four Cy Young Awards and helping the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees win multiple championships.

Deathyear: 1999

Patrick O'Neal (actor)

Patrick O'Neal was an American actor born in 1927. He appeared in over 150 films and TV shows, including "The Naked Prey" and "Experiment in Terror". O'Neal's distinctive voice and rugged charm earned him roles in both drama and comedy.

Deathyear: 1994

Bill Monroe

Bill Monroe was an American singer-songwriter and musician, known as the "Father of Bluegrass Music". He wrote and recorded many influential bluegrass hits, including "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and "Rocky Top".

Deathyear: 1996

AD 1000

Olaf I, also known as Olaf Trygvesson, was a Norwegian king who ruled from 1015 to 1028. He was a strong Christian leader who brought Christianity to Norway and defeated the Viking raids. He is revered as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Deathyear: 1000

John McGiver

John McGiver was an American actor, born on February 9, 1913. He was best known for his distinctive voice and appearance, often playing eccentric characters on TV shows and films like "To Tell the Truth" and "Gunsmoke."

Deathyear: 1975

Caitlin Clarke

Caitlin Clarke is an American actress born in 1952. She's known for her roles in films like "The Right Stuff" (1983) and "Jane Eyre" (1983), as well as her Broadway work in "42nd Street" and "Out of This Silent Night".

Deathyear: 2004

Jules Grévy

Jules Grévy was a French politician who served as the 4th President of the French Republic from 1879 to 1887. Born on February 15, 1813, Grévy was a moderate republican and advocated for secularism. He was largely unsuccessful in his presidency due to his administrative shortcomings.

Deathyear: 1891

Stéphane Mallarmé

Stéphane Mallarmé was a French poet and critic, born in 1842. He is known for his Symbolist poetry, which explores themes of beauty, mystery, and the relationship between art and reality.

Deathyear: 1898

Richie Ashburn

Richie Ashburn (1927-1997) was an American baseball player and sportscaster. A five-tool player, Ashburn played 15 seasons in the majors, earning seven Gold Glove Awards and four league leads in batting average. Post-baseball, he became a beloved announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Deathyear: 1997

Lucio Battisti

Lucio Battisti, an Italian singer-songwriter and guitarist, is celebrated for his poetic and introspective lyrics, blending folk and rock elements. With a distinctive, soaring voice, he crafted timeless songs that speak to the human condition, leaving an indelible mark on Italian music.

Deathyear: 1998

Max Ehrmann

Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) was an American poet, lawyer, and author. He is best known for his poem "Desiderata," a philosophical and spiritual guide that has been widely read and shared since its discovery in 1941.

Deathyear: 1945

Edward, King of Portugal

Edward, King of Portugal (1391-1438), was a remarkable monarch who expanded Portugal's territories, established the University of Lisbon, and improved the country's economy. His 30-year reign was marked by military victories and diplomatic successes, solidifying his legacy as a great leader.

Deathyear: 1438

Anna Jagiellon

Anna Jagiellon was a Polish queen consort, born in 1523. She was the daughter of Sigismund I the Old and became queen wife of Stephan Báthory, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. She was known for her intelligence, beauty, and diplomatic skills.

Deathyear: 1596

John Howard Griffin

John Howard Griffin was an American journalist and author known for his groundbreaking book "Black Like Me" (1961), where he darkened his skin to experience life as a black man in the Deep South, shedding light on racial injustices and sparking national conversations about civil rights.

Deathyear: 1980

John Singleton Copley

John Singleton Copley (1738-1815) was a renowned American-English colonial painter known for his portraits of the wealthy and elite. His works, such as "Watson and the Shark" and "Paul Revere", showcased his mastery of light, color, and composition.

Deathyear: 1815

E. H. Harriman

E. H. Harriman was a prominent American businessman and philanthropist. Born in 1848, he built a railroad empire through mergers and acquisitions. He was also a generous philanthropist, founding the University of California, Berkeley's Museum of Anthropology, among other charitable endeavors.

Deathyear: 1909

Chenghua Emperor

Chenghua (1447-1464) was the 10th emperor of the Ming dynasty in China. He ruled for 12 years, known for his frugality and simple living. Chenghua's reign saw some economic recovery after a period of inflation, but the empire still struggled with corruption and warlordism.

Deathyear: 1487

Roger Fry

Roger Fry (1866-1957) was a pioneering English painter, critic, and art historian. A key figure in the development of modern art, Fry founded the Bloomsbury Group and played a crucial role in introducing Post-Impressionism and Cubism to Britain. His own art was characterized by vibrant colors and geometric forms.

Deathyear: 1934

Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball is a renowned American guitarist and businessman, born in 1930. He is the founder and CEO of Ernie Ball Inc., a leading manufacturer of guitar strings and accessories. Ball is also a skilled musician, having played with notable artists such as Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page.

Deathyear: 2004

Albert Spalding

Albert Spalding, a pioneering American baseball player and manager, co-founded the sporting goods company that bears his name. Born in 1850, Spalding was a talented player who went on to become a successful businessman, establishing the Spalding sporting goods company in 1877.

Deathyear: 1915

Humphrey Gilbert

Humphrey Gilbert was an English explorer and politician born in 1539. He made several voyages to North America, attempting to establish a colony in Newfoundland in 1583. Additionally, he was a Member of Parliament and served as Vice-Admiral of Ireland under Queen Elizabeth I.

Deathyear: 1583

Jussi Björling

Jussi Björling was a renowned Swedish tenor, celebrated for his powerful, effortless voice and technical mastery. With a career spanning four decades, he performed at major opera houses, delighting audiences and critics alike with his charismatic stage presence and sublime vocal artistry.

Deathyear: 1960

Hugh MacDiarmid

Hugh MacDiarmid (Christopher Murray Grieve) was a Scottish linguist, poet, and author born in 1892. He was a prominent figure in Scotland's literary renaissance, known for his innovative poetry and advocacy for the Scottish language, and was instrumental in shaping modern Scottish literature and culture.

Deathyear: 1978

William Paterson (judge)

William Paterson was a prominent Irish-American judge and politician. Born in 1745, he served as the 2nd Governor of New Jersey from 1790 to 1793. He played a crucial role in the American Revolution and later served as a U.S. Senator and Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Deathyear: 1806