Died On August 3rd

Carolyn Jones was an American actress who contributed to the success of several films in the 1950s. She was also an influential figure in American television throughout the 1950s and 1960s. During the later stages of her acting career, Jones suffered from colon cancer but decided not to reveal about her condition to colleagues and continued acting through the pain.

Joseph Conrad was a Polish-British writer. Considered one of the greatest English-language novelists of all time, Conrad is credited with bringing a non-English sensibility into English-language literature. Many of his works have inspired several films, TV series, and video games. His anti-heroic characters and narrative style have influenced many authors like Salman Rushdie, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and T. S. Eliot.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was a Russian novelist, philosopher, historian, and political prisoner. An outspoken critic of Communism and the Soviet Union, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn helped raise awareness of the Gulag, a government agency that oversaw forced labor camps set up in accordance with Vladimir Lenin's order. His non-fiction text The Gulag Archipelago was a highly influential work and sold millions of copies.

Regarded as one of the best American stand-up comedians of all time, Lenny Bruce was renowned for his critical form of comedy. His conviction for obscenity played a major role in redefining freedom of speech in the US. He is also credited with inspiring several comedians of the counterculture era. His life and career have inspired several works of art.

Colette was a French author who received a nomination for the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948. She is remembered for her novella Gigi, which inspired the 1958 movie and the 1973 musical of the same name. Her life and work have inspired several films, including the 2018 biographical drama film Colette, where Keira Knightley played the title role.

Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French humanist photographer. Considered a master of candid photography, he pioneered the genre of street photography. He was among the earliest users of the 35 mm film. In 1947, he became one of the founding members of Magnum Photos, an international photographic cooperative. In his later years, he explored drawing and painting. 

James II of Scotland reigned as the king of Scotland from 1437 to 1460. One of the most popular kings of Scotland, James socialized often with the commoners. Renowned for his restless energy, he traveled around the country and proved to be an active king. Thanks to his popularity, James is often depicted in historical novels, plays, and short stories.

Initially a wig-maker, Richard Arkwright later grew an interest in the spinning mechanism, building the Arkwright’s water frame, which used water power to produce cotton yarn. He soon became a name to reckon with in the textile industry, with many mills to his name. He was knighted for his feats.

Roger Casement was an Irish nationalist and diplomat. Also a well-known humanitarian activist, Casement is remembered for the Casement Report, a 1904 document in which he wrote about the abuses in the Congo Free State. His investigations of human rights abuses earned him a knighthood in 1911. However, Casement was stripped of his knighthood after being charged with high treason.

Born to German parents in Russia, composer Alfred Schnittke is remembered for his signature style of music, known as polystylism, which was characterized by its dark themes. A versatile musician, who also composed film scores, he was once banned from leaving the country by the Soviet authorities.

Konstantin Rokossovsky was a Soviet and Polish officer. One of the most important Red Army commanders during the Second World War, Rokossovsky also served as Poland's Defence Minister from 1949 to 1956. He also served as the Marshal of Poland and as the Marshal of the Soviet Union.

John Gardner was an English spy and author. He is best remembered for his thriller novels, including the continuation novels containing Ian Fleming's iconic character James Bond and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's villain Professor James Moriarty. John Gardner wrote over 50 works of fiction, including 14 original James Bond novels.

Robert Conquest was a British poet and historian whose works earned him the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. In his illustrious career Conquest also won other prominent awards like Richard Weaver Award for Scholarly Letters, Michael Braude Award for Light Verse, Dan David Prize, and the Antonovych prize.

British racing-driver Peter Collins commenced his career at age 17 and gained-attention during Formula 3 races. He ranked third during the 1951 Autosport National Formula 3 Championship. He won the 1958 British Grand Prix and a couple of weeks later met with a fatal accident during the German Grand Prix. He was rushed to hospital, but died later that day.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens was a sculptor who achieved popularity for his monuments celebrating heroes of the Civil War. Some of his well-known monuments include the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, General John Logan Memorial, and Abraham Lincoln: The Man. He is also credited with designing the Saint Gaudens Double Eagle, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful coins ever issued.

Faustin Soulouque was a Haitian military commander and politician. He is best remembered for his service as the President of Haiti from 1 March 1847 to 25 August 1849. He then acquired autocratic powers and declared himself the Emperor of Haiti. Faustin Soulouque went on to reign as the Emperor of Haiti from 26 August 1849 to 15 January 1859.

Soviet politician Yuri Brezhnev was a member of CPSU and held a seat in the party’s Central Committee. He served as First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade. Allegations of embezzlement and corruption compelled Brezhnev to retire and become a pensioner following which he was arrested and his belongings were confiscated. He was the son of influential Soviet politician Leonid Brezhnev.

Charles Garnier was a French architect best known for designing important landmarks, such as the Opéra de Monte-Carlo and Palais Garnier. Charles Garnier also designed several public and private buildings on the Italian Riviera and is thereby sometimes credited with turning the place into a tourist attraction.

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf was a German-born Austro-British singer. Counted among the most important singers of lieder, Schwarzkopf is best remembered for her performances of the operas of Richard Strauss, Wagner, and Mozart. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's greatest sopranos, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf won many prestigious awards including the Edison Award and the Lilli Lehmann Medal.

Born to an unwed mother in the Netherlands, Antonia Brico later moved to the US with her foster parents. She was the first American to graduate from the master class of conducting at the Berlin State Academy of Music. She was also the first woman to gain respect as a symphony orchestra conductor.

Initially a prominent Serbian military journalist and commentator, Miroslav Lazanski later entered politics. He was a non-partisan Member of the National Assembly, nominated by the Serbian Progressive Party. He later served as Serbia’s ambassador to Russia, a position he held till his death of a heart attack.