Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 14th August

Births today begin with future Pope Pius VII, yes, Barnaba Niccoló Maria Luigi Chiaramonti started pontificating in 1740. Physicist Hans Christian Ørsted (or Oersted) was known for his magnetic personality from 1777. Gambler/dentist and gunfighter at the O.K. Corral – John Henry ‘Doc’ Holliday didn’t have a plaque erected at his birth place in 1851. Novelist responsible for scribbling The Forsyth Saga – John Galsworthy was the eldest son from 1867. Aleksander Obernovic, (not the meerkat advertising some price comparison site), but Aleksander I of Serbia turned out regally in 1876. Co-owner of American Football team New York Giants, Wellington Timothy Mara was first down in 1916. Actress/singer Alice Margaret Ghostley wondered what’s happening in 1926. Also born that year, co-creator of Astérix the Gaul – René Goscinny, made a splash upon his arrival. Member of two legendary acts and slightly older Bill Bailey looky likey, David Van Cortlandt Crosby took a few years to remember his name from 1941. Born Melody Dawn Miller before going onto be named Caroline Smith, jockey and Mrs F Astaire (being all of 42 years his junior) – Robyn Smith Astaire tapped her way out in 1944. Comedy actor (if you discount the dire Pink Panther films he starred in), Stephen Glenn ‘Steve’ Martin took a leap, (or rather drop) of faith in 1945. Known for his role in classic 1970’s sit-com Are You Being Served? (whilst glossing over his role in dire sit-com Last of the Summer Wine), Trevor Gordon Bannister slid through in 1946. Also born that year, actor who had a part in Starsky & Hutch, Antonio Juan Fargas was quite a huggy baby. Tambourine and spoons player, not to mention being lead singer with electric folk, (can it get any worse?) group Steeleye Span, Madelaine Edith ‘Maddie’ Prior was under the covers in 1947. Also born that year is author who’s made a fortune out of the same story line, Danielle Fernandes Dominique Schuelein-Steel very sensibly didn’t want to waste all that print on her name given she’s known as Danielle Steel and answered her mum’s prayers. Off beat cartoonist Gary Larson made it through the far side in 1950. Lanky basketball player, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson Jr. slam dunked himself in 1959. Singer, ex-dancer and Mrs. A. Lloyd-Webber, Sarah Brightman didn’t make a song and dance about her birth in 1960. Having nearly won the Miss USA pageant before taking up acting, careless driver Maria Halle Berry (who swopped her first and middle name around), had her initial casting call in 1966. If you can tell the difference between the singers in The Scissor Sisters, you’ll know the lead (female) singer is Ana Lynch, (or Ana Matronic), who’s parents didn’t feel like dancing in 1974. Joint holder of the Guinness World Record for longest continual role in a Australian soap opera, (yes, they’ll dole them out for anything these days), Home & Away actress Kate Ritchie wasn’t talkin’ bout her generation in 1978. Pole vaulter from the land of sharks, sunshine and Foster’s who’s one of 13 people to jump 6 metres, (or 19ft 8ins in old money), Paul Burgess strode out in 1979. Ukrainian  born ex-British tennis player – Elena Sergeevna Baltacha was served to the world in 1983. Now ex-host of Radio One breakfast show – Nicholas Peter Andrew ‘Nick’ Grimshaw started to turn people off from 1984. 

Having begun the births paragraph with a Pope, it seems only right to begin the deaths paragraph with one too, and Pope Pius II, (or Enea Silvio Bartolomeo Piccolomini), had his last view of St. Peter’s Square in 1464. Inventor William Ford Robinson Stanley who filed 78 patents failed to lodge 79 given he had a heart attack in 1909. Inventor of the first commercially successful automatic dishwasher – Josephine Garis Cochrane failed to have her final wash in 1913. Poet/playwright/theatre director Bertolt Brecht was contemplating hell from 1956. Mum to Elvis – Gladys Presley left the planet in 1958. Actor Patrick Magee entered the sleep of death in 1982. Playwright John Boynton (J.B.) Priestley saw the blackout in Gretley back in 1984. Founder of overpriced sports car company bearing his name, Enzo Ferrari found himself no longer ‘II Grande Vecchio’ from 1988. Singer with The Platters, Tony Williams found heaven isn’t on earth in 1992. Singer Lillian Patricia Lita Roza never did manage to find out how much that doggy in the window was after she keeled over in 2008. Actor born Shamsher Raj Kapoor, but known as Shammi Kapoor hasn’t spent an evening in Paris since 2011. Finally, not the bookmaker, but Defence Minister for Ireland, Patrick ‘Paddy’ Power obviously powered down in 2013.

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Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 13th August

I thought it was going to be a quieter day on the births front, but having trawled the internet I’ve come up with the following who have/are going to be scoffing cake whilst ripping their presents open and forgetting who they were from – and we start with: inventor of the clarinet Johann Christoph Denner managed to get his breathing right in 1655. Phoebe Ann Mosey, or sharpshooter Annie Oakley got her aim straight in 1860. Founder of rusting Italian car maker – Fiat, Giovanni Agnelli rumbled along in 1866. Next up is the person who literally changed the lives of billions of people around the globe, not to mention giving parents a hard time as well as giving campaigning and whinging old biddy Mary Whitehouse, (see June 13 for her entry), something else to complain about – inventor of the television John Logie Baird tuned in for the first time in 1888. Actor known for playing the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, Bert Lahr started to meet the people from 1895.  Film/television actor who dined out for years on his story about sharing screen time with Humphrey Bogart, John Regis Toomey started the wheel of life in 1898. Known for his cameo roles in his own films, London, (England), boy made good – Alfred Joseph Hitchcock kept everyone in suspense back in 1899. Inventor of internal combustion engine bearing his surname, Felix Heinrich Wankel got going in 1902. Television/film actor born Lawrence Neville Brand who dropped his first name, was a scalawag in 1920. Illegitimate communist Cuban leader with a penchant for green suits and cigars, Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, got one over on his brother Raúl by being born five years earlier in 1926. Actor who’s gradually shortened his name over the years, Daniel Patrick Harrington Jr./Patrick Harrington Jr./Pat Harrington started to take it one day at a time from 1929. Un-PC overweight 1970’s comedian with a knack for upsetting pretty much everyone, Bernard John Manning raised his first smile in 1930. Indian food writer Madhur Jaffrey (born Bahadur) spiced things up from 1933. Unsuccessful amateur aerial adjuster, Michael Parkinson’s favourite guest and known for having his hand up Emu’s bottom, Rodney Stephen ‘Rod’ Hull made his debut in 1935. Drug smuggler and author Dennis Howard Marks was a nice baby in 1945. Successful voice actor who’s voiced everything from the Care Bears to Look Who’s Talking, John Stocker started babbling on from 1947. Funambulist Philippe Petit was petite when he made his initial appearance in 1949. Lanky Northern Irish singer with the distinctive look, Séan Feargal Sharkey started listening to his father in 1958. Not to be outdone, bandmate to Feargal – Michael ‘Mickey’ Bradley was the undertone given he arrived a year later in 1959. Having mentioned various British pointers at maps whilst giving vague weather forecasters, here’s their American counterpart – Samuel James ‘Sam’ Champion found his forte after being wet and windy in 1961. Also born that year radio DJ, Stuart Maconie started to find his voice. Overworked Indian actress Sridevi Kapoor started to be wrapped in cloth in 1963. Retired Newcastle United footballer Alan Shearer striked it lucky in 1970. Saudi Arabian terrorist Hani Saleh Hasan Hanjour hijacked his mum’s day in 1972. Also arriving that year, CEO of sports wear company Under Armour – Kevin Plank nailed it with his birth. Cricketer and fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar let slip in 1975. Known for his role in the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise (yawn), actor Damien O’Hare breezed into life in 1977. Singer/songwriter James Morrison had the awakening in 1984.

Death wise, inventor of the stethoscope René Théophile Hyacinthe Laennec took his last (laboured) breath in 1826. Artist who featured on the back of the old French 100 Franc note and probably inspired the character in Happy Families, Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix missed his last exhibition in 1863. ‘The Lady With the Lamp’, early nurse who tended the sick, lame (and probably lazy) in the Crimean War Florence Nightingale could have done with one of her mates in 1910. Prolific writer who penned War of the Worlds (among others), Herbert George (H.G.) Wells wondered what was coming from today in 1946. Pseudologia fantastica sufferer who claimed to be King of Albania and have started a political party, but in reality was an acrobat, Otto Witte fell off his perch in 1958. Disappointingly, this isn’t pervy vicar David Tudor, convicted (and somehow subsequently cleared) of ‘inappropriate’ relations with young girls, but the non-pervy American pianist/composer David Eugene Tudor didn’t give a sheet dying in 1996. 32nd Prime Minister of New Zealand David Russell Lange has experienced middle earth from 2005. Mexican actress Columba Domínguez Adalid started to dissolve in 2014. Finally, actor who played R2D2 in dull film franchise Star Wars – Kenneth George ‘Kenny’ Baker started wombling free in 2016. 

Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 12th August

After a few fairly quiet days on the births front, today, the ‘glorious’ 12th, things seem to have picked up a bit. That said, we must start with King of Norway and Denmark – Christian III reigned large from 1503. Keeping with the ancient royal theme, King of The United Kingdom, Ireland and Hanover, commissioner of Brighton Pavilion and remodeller of Buckingham Palace, George IV entered the world regally in 1762. Poet who wrote original version of The Story of the Three Bears (or just Goldilocks), Robert Southey didn’t refrain from celebrating his birthday after 1774. Mum to one of the most deluded people in history, Klara Hitler (née Pölzl), came out arms first in 1860. Film director Cecil Blount DeMille gave his parents something to think about in 1881. Actress Marion Lorne bewitched her parents from 1883. Keith Murdoch, journalist and dad to phone hacking hack Rupert, made the news in 1886. Actor with a theatre on Broadway named in his honour, Alfred Lunt who was mentioned on the 3rd August in the deaths paragraph gets his second mention in as many weeks given he lifted the curtain in 1892. Short lived member of the Three Stooges, Joe Beeser was caught on the bounce in 1907. Actress Jane Waddington Wyatt found father knows best from 1910. Also born that year, first President of Singapore – Yusof bin Ishak found himself in a sling. Actor with the proper Scottish name: William Fulton Beith Mackay found himself released in 1922. Joint compilers of the Guinness Book of Records, Norris and Ross McWhirter had to share the spotlight in 1925. Film actor/director and fourth husband to Bo Derek, Derek Dullivan Harris or just John Derek didn’t lead a double life from 1926. Mathematician with the rather unfortunate surname, Jacques Tits only managed to count to two for the first few years of his life from 1930. One half of the band Sparks, (the one with the Hitler/Chaplin moustache) Ronald David ‘Ron’ Mael had a good morning in 1945. English naturalist, (not naturist), Terence Paul ‘Terry’ Nutkins didn’t grow up wild after his birth in 1946. Plucker of the strings with his bands, Mark Freuder Knopfler began the walk, (or rather crawl) of life from 1949. Singer with the high waisted trousers and long jacket, born Thomas August Darnell Browder but goes by the stage name Kid Creole hasn’t been too cool to conga since 1950. Really, really unpopular French ex-President, (until the next one), François Gérard Georges Nicolas Hollande won’t be allowed to hang the bunting or balloons outside the Élysée Palace in celebration of his 64th birthday. Frizzy haired guitarist Patrick Bruce ‘Pat’ Metheny’s parents were hoping for one quiet night from 1954. Husky voiced singer with a couple of hits to her name, Tanita Tikaram was more of a Tuesday than Thursday child in 1969. Hairy tennis player Petros ‘Pete’ Sampras had his first exhibition match in 1971. It’s thanks to would be shoe bomber Richard Reid who didn’t quite blast through in 1973 that we now have to take our shoes/belts off at airports. Actor Caleb Casey McGuire Affleck Boldt but known as Casey Affleck has been committed to celebrating his birthday this day since 1975. Model/actress Cara Jocelyn Delevingne stormed the world in 1992. 

Deaths today start with Cleopatra VII Philopator who may have looked younger than she was given her ass milk baths, but she still gave up breathing in 311BC. Next up are two Popes – Pope Sixtus IV had someone else waft the incense about for him in 1484, while in 1689 Pope Innocent XI had the fire burning in his honour. Poet/painter William Blake never did manage to find a word that rhymed with dead especially after 1827. Having dabbled with developing miner’s safety lamps, civil and mechanical engineer George Stephenson fell off the rails in 1848. Designer of rifle and founder of company bearing his surname, Eliphalet Remington found the stopping power a reality in 1861. First undisputed world chess champion Wilhelm (William) Steinitz checkmated himself in 1900. Credited with creating stainless steel, Harry Brearley probably didn’t leave a stainless bed in 1948. Writer of dull spy tales (and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Ian Lancaster Fleming found you only live once given he died in 1964. Head of acting clan – Henry Jaynes Fonda went on his merry way in 1982. Having mentioned Jackson Pollock only yesterday, Jean-Michel Basquiat found his time was up in 1988. Acamedy award winning actress Loretta Young saw seven footprints to Satan in 2000. Creator of various boring game shows still being shown around the world, Mervyn Edward ‘Merv’ Griffin found the wheel of fortune didn’t spin in his favour back in 2007. Comb over king and quiz show host Robert Henry Robinson called his own bluff by dying in 2011. Not the ex-tax dodging comedian who laughs like a seal, but American footballer Jimmy Carr entered coffin corner in 2012. Finally, Betty Joan Perske who went onto become known as Lauren Bacall entered the big sleep in 2014.

Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 11th August

We see ancient English Princess – Mary of York start today’s births paragraph given she was born in 1467 at Windsor Castle, well before low flying aircraft disturbed sleep there. Marie François Sadi Carnot 4th President of the French Republic was a dynamic child from 1837. Kijūrō Shidehara 44th Japanese Prime Minister pacified his parents in 1872. Child disliker, (even after they bought her books), Enid Mary Blyton came out nodding in 1897. Film/television actor Lloyd Benedict Nolan headed toward the unknown in 1902. 10th Prime Minister of Thailand with the numerous medal bands on his chest, Thanom Kittikachorn dictated his birthday from 1911. Cartoonist responsible for Hägar the Horrible (among others) – Richard Arthur Allan ‘Dik’ Browne started entertaining his family from 1917. Writer of a few books – Alexander Murray Palmer ‘Alex’ Haley started putting roots down in 1921. Husband to Laura and co-founder of floral design company, Bernard Albert Ashley fashioned his entrance to the world in 1926. Film director responsible for The Amityville Horror and Cool Hand Luke to name but two, Stuart Rosenberg found himself spliced in 1927. Nearly impeached tenth President of Pakistan – Pervez Musharraf battled his way through in 1943. Careless driver and the man we have to thank for couriers not turning up on time – Frederick Wallace ‘Fred’ Smith founder of FedEx was probably late himself when born in 1944. Steve Jobs’ shouting partner and co-founder of Apple Computers Stephen/Stephan Gary ‘Steve’ Wozniak downloaded successfully in 1950. Disappointingly not a relation to Paul – Hulk Hogan, (or to give him his proper name – Terry Gene Bollea), wrestler not only with the moustache but also sex tape, thankfully didn’t have all the old biddies sat bedside with their handbags on their laps cheering him on during birth in 1953. Singer/songwriter David Ian ‘Joe’ Jackson was more slippin’ than steppin’ out in 1954. Actress Embeth Jean Davidtz left the garden of redemption in 1965. Known for role in Ugly Betty, Ashley Jensen wasn’t an extra this day in 1969. Now deceased half of rapping band ‘Kris Kross’ – Chris ‘Mac Daddy’ Kelly was alright in 1975. One hit wonder, Alexandria ‘Sandi’ Thom has been her mum and dad’s flesh and blood since 1981. Actor Christopher Hemsworth started to get to know his neighbours in 1983. 

As for deaths, the following kept their appointment with the reaper – Wilfred or Wifred the Hairy, Count of Barcelona was stiff enough for a statue to be made of him in 897. First dead Norwegian of the day, Guttorm Sigurdsson, King of Norway was all of five years old when he put the oversized crown down in 1204. Second dead Norwegian of the day goes to composer Halfdan Kjerulf who knew the score by dying in 1868. Industrialist who founded a steel company using his surname and has a hall in New York City named after him, Andrew Carnegie found himself in a new casing back in 1919. Gianoberto Maria Carlo Bugatti, or just Jean Bugatti, car designer and test engineer with the family car business ran out of juice in 1939. Splatterer of paint on canvas, (and making a mint out of it), Paul Jackson Pollock spluttered his last in 1956. Virologist credited with developing a vaccine against yellow fever – Max Theiler went grey before turning white in 1972. Actor Alfred Sinclair Alderdice who found fame as Tom Drake, had a date with disaster in 1982. Fellow thespian Anne Ramsey, star of ‘The Goonies’ and ‘Throw Momma From the Train’, didn’t so much head west as goin’ south in 1988. Classic horror actor Peter Wilton Cushing joined the characters he played in 1994. Wok frying expert Kenneth Lo found himself 6ft lower in 1995. Wife to facist leader Oswald Mosley, and one of the Mitford Sisters – Diana, the Hon. Lady Mosley has managed to keep her arms straight since 2003. Founder of the Special Olympics Dame Eunice Mary Kennedy Shriver got the gold medal in rolling over in 2009. American version of Bob Holness, (British ex-host of Blockbusters), William ‘Bill’ Rafferty has his last ‘P’ in 2012. Finally, it’s been four years since Robin Williams called it a wrap in 2014.

Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 10th August

Today’s birthdays paragraph starts with John of Bohemia aka ‘John the Blind’ who was Count of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia and titular King of Poland but was able to see for his first 40 years from 1296. First Prime Minister of Italy, Camillo Paolo Filippo Giulio Benso, or just Cavour, found he was unified with his mum from 1810. Real life Willy Wonka, Henrich ‘Henri’ Nestlé missed out on infant formula given he was born in 1814 and didn’t invent it until 1867. William Willett campaigner of daylight saving time, (and great-great-grandfather of whinging Coldplay frontman Chris Martin), lost an hour of his life from 1856. 31st President of the United States of America who was quite partial to a spot of housework, Herbert Clark Hoover pushed forth in 1874. Claimed inventor of never ending, (and cheats dream), board game Monopoly, Charles Brace Darrow passed go for the first time in 1889. Actor who worked with various big names in his career, Henry O’Neill was the personality kid from 1891. Known for playing the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, John Joseph ‘Jack’ Haley was probably scared stiff upon entering the world back in 1898. Founder of guitar company bearing his name, Clarence Leondias ‘Leo’ Fender suffered some feedback when born in 1909. Actor Noah Lindsey Beery, (who played James Garner’s dad in The Rockford Files), was quite gung ho in 1913. Black listed actor Arthur Zwerling, or as he became known Jeff Corey, reached the outer limits in 1914. Creator of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand before going onto having a hit with ‘Big Bad John’ and his lesser known one, (which is probably just as well given its title – ‘I’m a Swinger’) Jimmy Ray Dean started bummin’ around in 1928. Singer/actor and another ex-Mr Elizabeth Taylor, Edwin Jack ‘Eddie’ Fisher was young and foolish in 1928. British judge who’s been involved with various high profile inquests, (and aunt to actor Nigel Havers) Ann Elizabeth Oldfield Butler-Sloss received her initial calling in 1933. Caress Morell, (for those in the know, or those who watch endless repeats of Dynasty on some high numbered channel), Frances Meredith Carroll or Kate O’Mara found she had no hiding place from 1939. Singer Robert Lee ‘Bobby’ Hatfield was a righteous brother in 1940. Once married to wild haired wig wearer, record producer and now jail bird Phil – Ronnie Spector found she was the baby in 1943. 32nd President of Columbia Juan Manuel Santos Calderón joined the majority in 1951. Four time married actress, (just two short of Liz Taylor then), Rosanna Lisa Arquette wasn’t switched at birth in 1959. Having name checked his ex-wife Melanie Griffith only yesterday, here’s José Antonio Domínguez Bandera, who’s shortened that to Antonio Banderas started spying on life in 1960. Known for a couple of things, (not forgetting her water feature), gardener Charlotte Elouise ‘Charlie’ Dimmock broke new ground in 1966. Heavyweight boxer Riddick Lamont Bowe has been celebrating his undisputed birthday every year since 1967. Ex-English rugby union captain Lorenzo Bruno Nero ‘Lawrence’ Dallaglio began the dummy passing in 1972. Hanging on the coat tails of reality television ‘stars’ The Kardashians – Kylie Kristen Jenner has lived the life of Kylie since 1997. 

As for deaths, these appear to be thin on the ground (again), Conrad the Red – Duke of Lorraine, should have been known as Conrad the Grey after 955. King Ferdinand VI ‘the Learned’ of Spain started to prostrate himself properly in 1759. Younger brother to Joseph, classical composer Johann Michael Haydn left the harpsichord lid up from 1806. Philosopher Jakob Friedrich Fries had to make do with being buried in 1843. 68th Prime Minister of France Pierre Marie René Ernest Waldeck-Rousseau gave the long lunches a miss from 1904. One of the few non-humans to get a mention here, acting dog Rin Tin Tin saw his last tin of dog food in 1932. Inventor and builder of first liquid fuelled rocket – Robert Hutchings Goddard went out with a whimper in 1945. First British climber to make it to the summit of second highest mountain K2, before not making the descent, Alan Paul Rouse decamped permanently in 1986. First dead Norwegian of the day, Øystein Aarseth, or Euronymous, another shouter of indecipherable lyrics in a death metal band, probably mumbled something illegible before expiring in 1993. Second dead Norwegian goes to programming language whiz Kristen Nygaard, who had more than a syntax error in 2002. Sunglass wearing slap head soul singer Isaac Lee Hayes got to say goodbye in 2008. Finally, three time Oscar winning special effects artist, Carlo Rambaldi found the hand that feeds the dead in 2012. 

Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 9th August

German baroque composer Johann Michael Bach kicks things off today, given he seemed to hit the right note in 1648. Noted road, bridge and canal builder – Thomas Telford was one of the falling bodies in 1757. Fellow civil engineer responsible for developing the current railway network in Britain, (minus the bits Dr. Beeching took out in the 1960’s), Joseph Locke steamed through in 1805. Known for her book about Mary Poppins, Helen Lyndon Goff or as the film Saving Mr Banks knew her – Pamela Lyndon Travers, found she didn’t get to have a nanny once born in 1899. Writer/poet Philip Larkin began collecting anecdotes for his autobiography in 1922. Actor Robert Archibald Shaw started having the birthday party from 1927. Another white shorts/shirt wearer whilst hitting tennis balls around various courts around the world and reckoned to be one of the best players of all time, Rodney George ‘Rod’ Laver had his first delivery in 1938. Boxer known for beating Muhammad Ali, Kenneth Howard Norton Snr, made sure he had a catcher in 1943. Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, (née Majumder) wasn’t opposed to being born in 1945. Co-creator of seemingly never ending board game Trivial Pursuit, Chris Haney was able to answer one question – when his birthday was from 1950. Norwegian of the day is wobbler on skates – Kay Arne Stenshjemmet, took the outside track in 1953. Sportswriter with the alternative surname, Peter Gilray Schmuck had time to prove he wasn’t one from 1955. Not content with divorcing Don Johnson once, but twice, (you’d have thought she’d have learnt her lesson first time round), Melanie Griffith was in the spirit of things when born in 1957. Fashion designer who’s name is plastered over various handbags, born Karl Anderson Jr., but known by the fashion press as Michael Kors found himself being carried around from 1959. Seeing as Presidents of the United States and British Prime Ministers get a mention here, it seems only fair PM of the southern most Commonwealth country, New Zealand also gets one – John Philip Key had a full turn out in 1961. Ex-Mrs Bobby Brown and first cousin to Dionne Warwick, shouter/squealer to music, (including the dire cover version of Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You), Whitney Elizabeth Houston brought joy to her mum’s world in 1963. Having mentioned her co-star David Duchovny a couple of days ago, here’s the Mulder to his Scully, (or was it the other way round?) Gillian Leigh Anderson thought the future fantastic after her birth in 1968. Person who ‘ahem’ ‘attended’ to actor Hugh Grant – Estella Marie Thompson, or, as he knew her, Divine Brown – solicited opinion in 1969. Actress/model Audrey Justine Tautou hopefully didn’t experience headwinds during her birth in 1976. Track and field athlete with the rather interesting surname, Tyson Gay who was stripped, (wait for it), of his medal from the 2012 Olympics due to taking drugs, didn’t have that problem when born in 1982.

Death wise, there is a Pope today as poor old Pope Damasus II had to give up his post after all of 24 days in 1048. Eric Ploughpenny or King Eric IV of Denmark lost his head in 1250. Chemist who co-discovered helium – Sir Edward Frankland lost his squeaky voice in 1899. Runner and hurdler, minus the drugs, (take note Mr Gay), Harry Livingstone Hillman Jr. could probably have done with some stimulants given he pegged it in 1945. Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Stephen Parent, Jay Sebring and Sharon Tate were all slain by Charles Manson and his followers in 1969. Owner of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers team Walter Francis O’Malley had his last home run in 1979. Also not making it through that year was original founder of South Central Los Angeles gang, The Crips – Raymond Lee Washington was more a stiff than a crip. Singer Jerome John ‘Jerry’ Garcia was probably grateful he was dead in 1995. Inventor of the jet engine, Sir Frank Whittle ran out of thrust in 1996. Actor Edwin Stafford ‘Ed’ Nelson entered the boneyard in 2014. Public transport expert who tried to sort out London’s transport systems – Robert R. ‘Bob’ Kiley thankfully wasn’t late for his funeral in 2016. Finally, also not making it through that year person who owned vast swathes of London – Major General Gerald Cavendish, 6th Duke of Westminster found himself confined to a box. 

Famous & Infamous Births & Deaths 8th August

Today’s posting begins with biologist who coined the term genetics – William Bateson had the pedigree in 1861. Non-relation to Jim and possibly one of the first people to get to the Geographic North Pole, Matthew Alexander Henson had his first expedition in 1866. 12th President of Brazil, the one partial to wearing a bow-tie and formal dinner suit, Arthur da Silva Bernardes didn’t rebel in 1875. Co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Robert Holbrook Smith, or as his members knew him, ‘Dr. Bob’ wasn’t dry when born in 1879. Fascist supporter and socialite, Unity Valkyrie Freeman-Mitford started off as meant to carry on given she was conceived in Sawstika but born in London back in 1914. Jump blues singer James ‘Jimmy’ Witherspoon, thought it ain’t nobody’s business knowing his birthday from 1920. First President of Bosnia & Herzegovina – Alija Izetbegović started ruling his parents lives from 1925. Actor who starred In both The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman, Richard Norman Anderson didn’t get a black eye when born in 1926. Redhill, (Surrey), resident at the time of the Great Train Robbery, Ronald Arthur ‘Ronnie’ Biggs blagged his way through in 1929. Contributor to various television sci-fi series and creator of both the Daleks and Davros, Terence Joseph ‘Terry’ Nation didn’t get to ask, ‘Dr Who?’ at his birth in 1930. Act tor Dustin Lee Hoffman is still the little big man despite arriving in 1937. Fellow actor known for his role in CHiPs – Larry Wilcox had a big head close up in 1947. Creator of the Sony PlayStation Ken Kutaragi started playing games with his parents in 1950. English F1 driver who won the championship in 1992, Nigel Ernest James Mansell hits a rather modest 65 having been born in 1953. Also born that year is actor Don Most – or as he was also known Ralph Malph, has had plenty of happy days since then. Beanie hat wearing member of one of the largest bands in the world, David Howell Evans, or The Edge has had more than one Achtung Baby moment since his arrival in 1961. Bankrupt pugilist with the lisp who used to drive around the streets of Brighton aimlessly in his truck rig, Christopher ‘Chris’ Livingstone Eubank went the distance in 1966. Puerto Rican/Irish American front man to band Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Hugh Thomas Ángel Munger Díaz Morgan, who’s known as Huey Morgan had his first big night out in 1968. Another of the Merckx family into cycling, this one Axel (son of Eddy), suffered a drop out in 1972. White short (and shirt) wearer whilst knocking about tennis courts around the world, Roger Federer had his approach shot bang on in 1981. Daughter of toe sucking ex-royal who’s slipping down the succession line, Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary of York, thankfully didn’t wear one of her hats on her first appearance in 1988. Norwegian of the day is singer, (and for a change it’s not one in a death metal group), but popster Malin Reitan who started warming her vocal chords up in 1995.

Death wise it appears to be a fairly quiet day, yet we start with Prime Minister of Great Britain George Canning saw the sunset clause become a reality in 1827. Another giant, this one Scot Angus Mór MacAskill, or Black Angus, who reached the dizzy heights of 7ft 9ins, (2.36 metres in new money), turned his extra big toes up in 1863. Co-founder of QANTAS, Fergus McMaster was grounded from 1950. Author Shirley Hardie Jackson lost the lottery of life in 1965. Actress/dancer (Mary) Louise Brooks left the rolled stockings from 1985. Actor known for his role in the television series of Batman, Alan William Napier-Clavering was lured away in 1988. ‘Scream Queen’ actress Vina Fay Wray started chasing the chaser from 2004. Fellow thespian Patricia Neal had her checkmate moment in 2010. Indian actress/singer Jaymala Shiledar left them wanting more in 2013. Blood stained hankie waving priest/author – Edward Kevin Daly didn’t have to listen to his requiem in 2016. Finally, singer/songwriter Glen Travis Campbell was unable to think, ‘I wanna live’ from 2017.