Earliest official to be called President of Yale College, Thomas Clap starts today’s posting given he had a round of applause when delivered in 1703. Lesser known artist and poet brother to the Brontë sisters, Patrick Branwell Brontë started spouting incomprehensible sentences back in 1817. First Canadian Prime Minister of Canada to get a mention today is eighth incumbent – Robert Laird Borden passed his first motion in 1854. Nazi’s favourite aeroplane maker before branching out into little three wheeled cars, Wilhelm Emil ‘Willy’ Messerschmidt designed his entrance to the world in 1898. Also born that year is Lewis Burwell ‘Chesty’ Puller, who’s not an adult entertainer but an American soldier with so many medals you could hardly see the left side of his jacket. Founder of business jet company bearing his name, (and non-relation to Edward), William Powell ‘Bill’ Lear was on full throttle from 1902. Stetson wearing Andreas Cornelius van Kuijk otherwise known as Elvis Presley’s manager Thomas Andrew ‘Colonel Tom’ Parker left the womb in 1909. Known for designing the iconic ‘I (insert heart) New York’ logo, among others – Milton Glaser had a good bounce rate in 1929. Band mate of Van Morrison and young lady admirer Bill Wyman, Clive Powell or as he’s better known Georgie Fame had his first getaway in 1943. Morose singer Christopher Joseph ‘Chris’ Isaac’s mum found someone crying, which turned out to be her son in 1956. Three time winner of the Tour de France (without drugs), Gregory James ‘Greg’ LeMond had his first experience of a pusher in 1961. Another person born that year, singer with one hit wonder band, Berlin – Terri Kathleen Nunn took her mum’s breath away. Member of odd Finnish metal band Lordi, Jussi Antero Sydänmaa didn’t get to wear anything but a towel after being born in 1973. Another singer born that year, Gretchen Frances Wilson has been here for the party since then. Singer I’d never heard of until she was caught up in the Manchester bombing, Ariana Grande-Butera was Baby I in 1993.
As for deaths, Joseph-Michel Montgolfier, co-inventor of the hot air balloon ran out of air himself in 1810. Prince of Monaco and Duke of Valentinois Albert I, sunk to 6ft (or 1.829m) in 1922. Third President of Czechoslovakia Emil Dominik Josef Hácha, stopped swigging cheap beer in 1945. Second Prime Minister of Canada mentioned today, this one being the 11th Holder of the title, Richard Bedford Bennett, 1st Viscount Bennett found himself the only former PM of the country not to be buried there, given he sourced a quiet plot to rest in Michelham, Dorking (Surrey) from 1947. Actor known for his role in Tango & Cash, Phil Rubenstein became a ghost warrior in 1992. Maggie T’s other half, mac and hat wearing Sir Dennis Thatcher stopped drinking G&T’s at his golf club from 2003. Wearer of garish blazers whilst presenting long running game show Countdown, John Richard Whiteley nibbled his last gypsy creme in 2005. Finally, co-founder of American budget airline, Southwest Airlines Rollin W. King was permanently grounded in 2014.
