Birthdays
1547 - Miguel de Cervantes, Spanish writer, best known for his novel Don Quixote. He was an Early Modern Spanish writer widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language and one of the world's pre-eminent novelists. His novel Don Quixote, is often cited as both the first modern novel and one of the pinnacles of world literature. His first significant novel, titled La Galatea, was published in 1585, but he continued to work as a purchasing agent, and later as government tax collector. His other works include the 12 Novelas ejemplares (Exemplary Novels); a long poem, the Viaje del Parnaso (Journey to Parnassus); and Ocho comedias y ocho entremeses (Eight Plays and Eight Interludes). Los trabajos de Persiles y Sigismunda (The Travails of Persiles and Sigismunda), was published posthumously in 1616.
1703 - Francois Boucher, French painter, draughtsman and etcher, who worked in the Rococo style. Boucher is known for his idyllic and voluptuous paintings on classical themes, decorative allegories, and pastoral scenes. He was one of the most celebrated painter and decorative artist of the 18th century.
1758 - Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB, also known simply as Admiral Nelson, a British Flag Officer in the Royal Navy. His inspirational leadership, grasp of strategy, and unconventional tactics brought about a number of decisive British naval victories, particularly during the apoleonic Wars. Aged 35, he was wounded in combat, losing sight in one eye in Corsica, and most of one arm in the unsuccessful attempt to conquer Santa Cruz de Tenerife when he was 40. He was fatally shot during his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. His death at Trafalgar secured his position as one of Britain's most heroic figures. The significance of the victory and his death during the battle led to his signal, "England expects that every man will do his duty", being regularly quoted and referenced up to the modern day. Numerous monuments, including Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, London, and the Nelson Monument in Edinburgh, have been created in his memory, and his legacy remains highly influential.
1810 - Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, often referred to as Mrs Gaskell, English Victorian novelist, biographer, and short story writer. The best-known of her remaining novels are Mary Barton (1848), Cranford (1853), North and South (1854), and Wives and Daughters (1865). She became popular for her writing, especially her ghost stories, aided by Charles Dickens, who published her work in his magazine Household Words. Her novels offer a detailed portrait of the lives of many strata of Victorian society, including the very poor, and are of interest to social historians as well as lovers of literature.
1901 - Enrico Fermi, Italian and naturalised-American physicist and the creator of the world's first nuclear reactor, the Chicago Pile-1. He has been called the "architect of the nuclear age" and the "architect of the atomic bomb". Fermi was one of very few physicists to excel in both theoretical physics and experimental physics. He held several patents related to the use of nuclear power, and was awarded the 1938 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on induced radioactivity by neutron bombardment and for the discovery of transuranium elements. He made significant contributions to the development of statistical mechanics, quantum theory, nuclear and particle physics. (The World of Enrico Fermi. This documentary is part of the collection: Academic Film Archive of North America. Accessed September 29, 2017.)
1903 - Diana Vreeland, French-American columnist and editor in the field of fashion. She worked for the fashion magazines Harper's Bazaar and Vogue, being the editor-in-chief of the latter, and as a special consultant at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She was named on the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1964.
1904 - Greer Garson, CBE (born Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson), British-American actress and singer. She was a major star at MGM during the Second World War for her portrayal of strong women on the homefront. She was also listed by the Motion Picture Herald as one of America's top-ten box office draws from 1942 to 1946. Garson received seven Academy Award nominations, including a record-tying five consecutive nominations (1941–45) in the Best Actress category, winning the award for her performance in the title role of the 1942 film Mrs. Miniver.
1931 - Anita Ekberg (born Kerstin Anita Marianne Ekberg), Swedish actress both in American and European films. She is best known for her role as Sylvia in the Federico Fellini film La Dolce Vita (1960). Ekberg worked primarily in Italy, where she became a permanent resident in 1964.
Lefties:
None known
More birthdays and historical events, September 29 - On This Day
1829 - The Metropolitan Police in London becomes the first official police department in the world. It is founded by Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel, later the Prime Minister.
1902 - In Paris, Émile Zola dies of carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from a faulty chimney.
Historical Events
1829 - The Metropolitan Police in London becomes the first official police department in the world. It is founded by Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel, later the Prime Minister.
1902 - In Paris, Émile Zola dies of carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from a faulty chimney.
