Died On May 20th

Discover the most famous people who died on May 20. The list includes people like Christopher Columbus, Gary Coleman, Robin Gibb, Stephen Jay Gould, Barbara Hepworth. Famous personalities featured on this list, include actors, composers, economists and mathematicians and from other domains of life. This list includes people from United States, United Kingdom, Germany & Canada and many more countries.
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 1 
Christopher Columbus
212
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: October 31, 1451
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Genoa, Italy
Died: 1506

An Italian explorer, Christopher Columbus, wanted to discover a direct water route from Europe to Asia. In his four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain, however, what he ended up discovering was not Asia, but America. Though he was not the first one to land in America, his historical journey began what eventually turned into Spanish colonization of America.

 2 
Randy Savage
(One of the Greatest Pro Wrestlers Who Ever Lived)
Randy Savage
50
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 15, 1952
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio, United States
Died: 2011
Macho Man Randy Savage, the WWF and WCW legend, had won 29 championships with 11 titles. Fans loved him for his over-the-top wrestling outfits, his catch phrase, "Oooh yeah!,” and his entrance music, Pomp and Circumstance. He was also a talented rapper and had appeared in many films and series. 
 3 
Niki Lauda
(Three-Time Formula One World Drivers' Champion)
Niki Lauda
28
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 22, 1949
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: 2019

Austrian Formula One driver and aviation entrepreneur Niki Lauda was a three-time F1 World Drivers' Champion. Considered to be one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, he was once involved in a near-fatal accident. He founded and ran three airlines as an aviation entrepreneur and also served as the team manager of the Jaguar Formula One racing team.

 4 
Robin Gibb
(Member of the ‘Bee Gees’ Pop Group)
Robin Gibb
17
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: December 22, 1949
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Douglas, Isle of Man
Died: 2012
Robin Gibb was part of the Bee Gees, an iconic pop/rock/disco band of the 1960s and the 1970s and makers of hits such as Stayin' Alive. Robin, a Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and a CBE-awardee, also had a successful solo career and was the president of the Heritage Foundation.
 5 
Marquis de Lafayette
(French Aristocrat, Freemason and Military Officer Who Fought in the American Revolutionary War)
Marquis de Lafayette
22
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 6, 1757
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Chavaniac-Lafayette, France
Died: 1834

Marquis de Lafayette was a French aristocrat and military officer, who  is remembered for fighting in the American Revolutionary War, as the commander of American troops in several battles. After returning to France, he played key roles in the French Revolution of 1789 and the July Revolution of 1830. Considered a hero in both America and France, he advocated the end of slavery.  

 6 
Ray Manzarek
(Keyboardist and founding member of The Doors, an iconic rock band that was prevalent from 1965 until 1973.)
Ray Manzarek
6
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: February 12, 1939
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: 2013
 7 
Clara Wieck Schumann
(Musician & Composer)
Clara Wieck Schumann
11
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: September 13, 1819
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Leipzig
Died: 1896

Clara Wieck Schumann was a German pianist, teacher, and composer. One of the most famous pianists of the Romantic era, Schumann changed the way concerts were conducted during her time and made a long-lasting impression as a pianist. She also influenced other pianists through her teaching; among her students were famous English pianist, Mathilde Verne.

 8 
Stephen Jay Gould
(Paleontologist and Evolutionary Biologist Known for His 'Theory of Punctuated Equilibrium' & Book ‘The Mismeasure of Man’)
Stephen Jay Gould
2
Birthdate: September 10, 1941
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Bayside, New York, United States
Died: 2002

Stephen Jay Gould was an American evolutionary biologist, paleontologist, and historian of science. One of the most widely read and influential authors of popular science, Gould was named a Living Legend in April 2000 by the US Library of Congress. He is also counted among the most frequently cited scientists, as far as evolutionary theory is concerned.

 9 
Jon Pertwee
(Actor)
Jon Pertwee
6
Birthdate: July 7, 1919
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Chelsea, London, England, UK
Died: 1996
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 10 
Mary Ellen Trainor
3
Birthdate: July 8, 1952
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States
Died: 2015
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 11 
John Clare
(English Poet)
John Clare
27
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: July 13, 1793
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Helpston, England
Died: 1864
 12 
Osman II
(Sultan of the Ottoman Empire)
Osman II
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 3, 1604
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: İstanbul, Turkey
Died: 1622

Osman II reigned as the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1618 until his regicide in 1622. Despite becoming the emperor at the young age of 14, Osman II sought to exercise his powers as a ruler. Renowned for his bravery, Osman II led the Ottoman campaign against Sigismund III, the King of Poland, during the Moldavian Magnate Wars. 

 13 
Barbara Hepworth
(English Artist and Sculptor Whose Work Exemplifies Modernism)
Barbara Hepworth
5
Birthdate: January 10, 1903
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Wakefield, England, United Kingdom
Died: 1975
English sculptor Barbara Hepworth, CBE and DBE, was a prominent figure in Modern Art. A Royal College of Art alumna, she used bronze, marble, and wood to create masterpieces such as Single Form and Family of Man, which adorn various venues. She died in a fire at her studio.
 14 
Lucy Gordon
(Actress)
Lucy Gordon
4
Birthdate: May 22, 1980
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Oxford, England
Died: 2009
 15 
Billy Cannon
(American football player)
Billy Cannon
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 2, 1937
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Mississippi, United States
Died: 2018
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 16 
Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi
(Government Official)
Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi
3
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: April 1, 1952
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Tripoli, Libya
Died: 2012
 17 
Władysław IV Vasa
(King)
Władysław IV Vasa
2
Birthdate: June 9, 1595
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Łobzów, Poland
Died: 1648
 18 
Josip Jelačić
(Croatian Lieutenant Field Marshal in the Imperial-Royal Army)
Josip Jelačić
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: October 16, 1801
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Petrovaradin, Serbia
Died: 1859

Croatian lieutenant field marshal in the Imperial-Royal Army and politician Count Josip Jelačić served as the Ban (Viceroy) of Croatia and Governor of the Kingdom of Dalmatia. He sought to free Croatia from Hungary and supported Croatian independence from the Austrian throne. He is noted for his military campaigns during the Revolutions of 1848 and for abolishing serfdom in Croatia.

 19 
John R Hicks
(One of the Most Influential Economists of the 20th Century and 1972 Nobel Prize Winner in Economics)
John R Hicks
2
Birthdate: April 8, 1904
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Warwick, England, United Kingdom
Died: 1989

Noted British economist Sir John Hicks, counted among the leading economists of the twentieth century, made significant contributions to general equilibrium theory and welfare theory for which he jointly received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. His book Value and Capital is regarded as a classic exposition of microeconomic theory and includes extension of general equilibrium theory.

 20 
Virgilio Barco Vargas
(President)
Virgilio Barco Vargas
2
Listed In: Engineers
Birthdate: September 17, 1921
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Cúcuta, Colombia
Died: 1997
 21 
Adolfo Nicolás
(Spanish Jesuit Priest of the 'Catholic Church')
Adolfo Nicolás
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: April 29, 1936
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Villamuriel de Cerrato, Spain
Died: 2020

Adolfo Nicolás was a Spanish priest of the Roman Catholic Church. From 2008 to 2016, he served as the Superior General of the Society of Jesus. Also an educator, Adolfo Nicolás taught at Sophia University for 20 years and then led educational institutions in Manila and Tokyo between 1978 and 1993.

 22 
Linda Lee Thomas
(American Socialite)
Linda Lee Thomas
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: November 17, 1883
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Died: 1954
 23 
Helen B. Taussig
(American Cardiologist Who Founded the Field of Pediatric Cardiology)
Helen B. Taussig
2
Listed In: Physicians
Birthdate: May 24, 1898
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Died: 1986
Helen B. Taussig is remembered as the founder of pediatric cardiology. Born to a Harvard professor father and a mother who was a women’s education pioneer, she was denied a Harvard seat for being a woman and thus studied medicine at Johns Hopkins. She pioneered the cure of the blue baby syndrome.
 24 
Howard Sims
(African-American Tap Dancer)
Howard Sims
0
Listed In: Dancers
Birthdate: January 24, 1917
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States
Died: 2003

Howard Sims was an African-American dancer who specialized in tap dance. He was a regular attraction at Harlem's Apollo Theater from the 1950s to 2000. In the 1980s, he helped revive the interest in tap dance by serving as a cultural ambassador and touring around the world. His dancing skills earned him appearances in films and TV shows. 

 25 
Roger Hawkins
(Drummer)
Roger Hawkins
2
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: October 16, 1945
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Died: 2021
 26 
Ana Aslan
(Romanian Biologist Known for Her Pioneering Contribution to 'Gerontology')
Ana Aslan
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: January 1, 1897
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Brăila, Romania
Died: 1988

Romanian biologist and physician Ana Aslan was a pioneering gerontologist and established the first institute of geriatrics in the world. She also invented a drug named Gerovital, an H3 vitamin, which was the world’s first anti-aging remedy. She later co-invented a similar product, Aslavital, and an anti-aging cosmetic line.

 27 
Walter Rudin
(Austrian-American Mathematician and Professor)
Walter Rudin
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: May 2, 1921
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: 2010
 28 
Irm Hermann
(Actress)
Irm Hermann
0
Birthdate: October 4, 1942
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Munich, Germany
Died: 2020
 29 
Bobby Pearce
(Australian Rower Who is Three-Time World Champion)
Bobby Pearce
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 30, 1905
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Double Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Died: 1976
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 30 
David Pearce
(Welsh Heavyweight Boxing Champion)
David Pearce
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 8, 1959
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Pillgwenlly, Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales
Died: 2000
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 31 
Carlotta Grisi
(Ballet dancer)
Carlotta Grisi
0
Listed In: Dancers
Birthdate: June 28, 1819
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Vižinada, Croatia
Died: 1899
 32 
Bogd Khan
(Mongolian head of state)
Bogd Khan
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1869 AD
Birthplace: Litang, Sichuan, Qing Dynasty
Died: 1924
 33 
Renato Carosone
(Singer)
Renato Carosone
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 3, 1920
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Naples, Italy
Died: 2001
 34 
Alfred Schütz
(Austrian Philosopher and Social Phenomenologist Whose Work Bridged Sociological and Phenomenological Traditions)
Alfred Schütz
0
Birthdate: April 13, 1899
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: 1959

Alfred Schutz was an Austrian philosopher and social phenomenologist. He is recognized as one of the leading philosophers of social science in the 20th century. A lawyer by qualification, he had a prominent career in international banking and did academic work in his spare time. Philosopher Edmund Husserl described him as “a banker by day and a philosopher by night.” 

 35 
Gilbert Murray
(British Author Best Known for His Verse Translations of Greek Drama)
Gilbert Murray
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: January 2, 1866
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Sydney, Australia
Died: 1957

Gilbert Murray was an Australian-born British intellectual and scholar who specialized in the culture and language of Ancient Greece. A well-known humanist, Murray served as the president of Humanists UK from 1929 to 1930. Gilbert Murray also played an important role in the establishment of Oxfam as well as the Institute of World Affairs.

 36 
Philipp Lenard
(Physicist)
Philipp Lenard
4
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: June 7, 1862
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Pressburg, Kingdom of Hungary, Austrian Empire
Died: 1947
Philipp Lenard was a German physicist whose work on cathode rays earned him the 1905 Nobel Prize for Physics. He is credited with making certain discoveries that led to the understanding of the Photoelectric effect. An ardent supporter of the Nazi ideology, Philipp Lenard was regarded as a role model for the Aryan Physics movement in Nazi Germany. 
 37 
Mary Lamb
(Author)
Mary Lamb
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 3, 1764
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: London, England
Died: 1847
 38 
Richard N. Goodwin
(Writer)
Richard N. Goodwin
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 7, 1931
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Died: 2018
 39 
George-Étienne Cartier
(Canadian statesman)
George-Étienne Cartier
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 6, 1814
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Saint-Antoine, Canada
Died: 1873
 40 
Bernardino of Siena
(Italian Priest and Franciscan Missionary Known for His Association with the Observants)
Bernardino of Siena
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 8, 1380
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Massa Marittima, Italy
Died: 1444

Italian theologian and missionary Bernardino of Siena contributed immensely to the growth of the Franciscan order of the Observants. Born into a noble family, he was orphaned as a child and served plague patients initially. He was known for his extreme views against homosexuality, witchcraft, and gambling.

 41 
Amalia of Oldenburg
(Queen)
Amalia of Oldenburg
0
Birthdate: December 21, 1818
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Oldenburg, Germany
Died: 1875
 42 
Paul Ricœur
(Philosopher)
Paul Ricœur
0
Birthdate: February 27, 1913
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Drome, France
Died: 2005
 43 
Verner von Heidenstam
(Swedish Poet and Novelist Who Received the 1916 Nobel Prize in Literature)
Verner von Heidenstam
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: July 6, 1859
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Olshammar
Died: 1940

Verner von Heidenstam was a Swedish novelist and poet. He is best remembered for winning the 1916 Nobel Prize in Literature. Verner von Heidenstam is considered an important poet and some of his works continue to be cherished in Sweden.

 44 
Dinu Brătianu
(Politician)
Dinu Brătianu
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 13, 1866
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Florica, Romania
Died: 1950
 45 
Max Beerbohm
(English Essayist, Parodist and Caricaturist)
Max Beerbohm
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: August 24, 1872
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: London, England
Died: 1956

Renowned caricaturist and essayist Max Beerbohm was the younger half-sibling of popular stage actor Herbert Beerbohm Tree. The Oxford alumnus succeeded George Bernard Shaw as a drama critic of the Saturday Review. Zuleika Dobson remains his only novel. He had been a radio broadcaster, too. Rumors claimed he was homosexual.

 46 
Beatriz Enríquez de Arana
(Mistress of Christopher Columbus and mother of Ferdinand Columbus)
Beatriz Enríquez de Arana
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1467 AD
Birthplace: Córdoba, Spain
Died: 1521
 47 
Martín Dihigo
(Cuban Baseball Player Who Played as a Pitcher and Second Baseman)
Martín Dihigo
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 25, 1906
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Cidra, Cuba
Died: 1971
 48 
Leo Valentin
(French Adventurer Who Made the First Attempt to Fly Using Wooden Wings)
Leo Valentin
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: March 22, 1919
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Épinal, France
Died: 1956

Birdman Leo Valentin was a French adventurer who became the first person to fly with wooden wings attached to his arms, back in the 1950s. He began his career as a parachute instructor with the French army. He died due to a failed flying stunt during an air show in Liverpool.

 49 
Wolf Mankowitz
(Writer)
Wolf Mankowitz
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: November 7, 1924
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Spitalfields, London, England
Died: 1998
 50 
Stanley Miller
(American Chemist and Biologist)
Stanley Miller
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: March 7, 1930
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Oakland, California, United States
Died: 2007

Stanley Miller was an American chemist best remembered for conducting several important experiments in abiogenesis. His 1952 Miller–Urey experiment proved that inorganic precursors could be used to synthesize complex organic molecules. Often referred to as the father of prebiotic chemistry, Miller was honored with the prestigious Oparin Medal in 1983.