Famous People Who Died Today

HP Lovecraft was a writer of weird and horror fiction and is known for his creation of Cthulhu Mythos, which has inspired a large body of games and music. His stories focused on his interpretation of humanity's place in the universe. He was virtually unknown during his lifetime, but is now considered a significant 20th-century author of supernatural horror fiction.

A Greek shipping magnate who was one of the world's richest men at one point, Aristotle Onassis held the world's largest privately-owned shipping fleet at the peak of his career. He was involved in the privatization of the Greek national airlines as well. He had liaisons with many famous and beautiful women and was married to Jacqueline Kennedy.

Cao Cao was a Chinese warlord, poet, and statesman. He played an important role in laying the foundations for the state of Cao Wei, which was formed shortly after his death. Although he was posthumously honoured with the title Emperor Wu of Wei, Cao Cao never ruled as an emperor, but kept Emperor Xian under his control.

Roger Williams was a 17th-century Puritan minister and theologian. He founded Providence Plantations, which later became the US state of Rhode Island. He advocated for fair dealings with Native Americans and believed in religious freedom. He disapproved of perpetual chattel slavery. After being expelled by the Puritan leaders, he founded the First Baptist Church in America. 

American paediatrician Benjamin Spock was the first paediatrician who studied psychoanalysis to comprehend needs of children and family dynamics. He penned Baby and Child Care, a best-seller book of the twentieth-century. His concepts of child-rearing influenced generations of parents. Spock was also an Olympic gold-medallist in rowing and ran during the 1972 United States presidential election as People's Party nominee.

Mike Porcaro was an American bass player best remembered for his association with the popular rock band Toto. Porcaro's career was cut short by motor neuron disease as he was forced to retire from touring, in 2007. He died at the age of 59 from complications that stemmed up from motor neuron disease.

American physicist Arthur Compton is best-known for introducing Compton wavelength, discovering Compton scattering, first identifying the Compton–Getting effect in the intensity of cosmic rays along with Ivan A. Getting, and for the Compton generator. He received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1927 for discovering Compton effect. He also remained a prominent figure during the Manhattan Project.

Clarissa Dickson Wright was an English TV personality, celebrity cook, businesswoman, writer, and former barrister. Best remembered for appearing in the popular TV cooking program, Two Fat Ladies, along with Jennifer Paterson, Dickson Wright went on to become an important name in the culinary world. She also published several books and audio books pertaining to cooking.

British civil engineer Joseph Bazalgette was the man behind the development of the sewage system of London. He was later knighted for his achievements and had also served as the president of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Another notable work of his was the Hammersmith Bridge.

Baroque painter and poet Salvator Rosa was born near Naples, to a land surveyor father, who wanted him to become a priest or a lawyer. However, Rosa deviated to art. Initially devoted to landscapes, he later focused on religious art. He is remembered as a pioneer of the Neapolitan school.

Hungarian-French artist Victor Vasarely pioneered the Op Art movement, using geometric angles and depth in works such as Vega-Nor. He initially worked as a graphic artist in advertising agencies and then created masterpieces influenced by Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism. His work Zebra remains one of his best-known pieces.

The last Greek pope and the last pope of the Byzantine Papacy, Pope Zachary, or Saint Zacharias, succeeded Pope St. Gregory III. Known for his association with Byzantine emperor Constantine V, he was also successful in making peace with the Lombards. He translated Dialogues by Pope St. Gregory I the Great.

Léonide Massine was a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer who created Les Présages, the first symphonic ballet in the world. Between 1915 and 1921, Massine worked at Sergei Diaghilev's popular company Ballets Russes where he served as the principal choreographer. In 2002, Léonide Massine was inducted into the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame.

Mikey Dread was a Jamaican musician, composer, broadcaster, and record producer. Counted among the most influential performers in reggae music, Dread achieved immense popularity in the 1990s when he performed all over the world. Mikey Dread is also remembered for his successful collaborations with many international stars like Bob Dylan and Izzy Stradlin.

Alexej von Jawlensky was a Russian painter best remembered for his work in Germany. An influential figure, Jawlensky was an important member of several popular groups like the New Munich Artist's Association, The Blue Rider, and The Blue Four. The Jawlensky Award was established in his honor in 1991. The award is presented once every five years.

Tim Maia was a Brazilian musician and songwriter best remembered for his ironic, iconoclastic, humorous, and outspoken musical style. Counted among the greatest icons in Brazilian music, Tim Maia is credited with pioneering sambalanço and introducing soul music in the Brazilian musical scene.  

Although a lawyer by profession, Bowie Kuhn is better known as a successful sports administrator, under whose guidance baseball went through an enormous increase in attendance, salaries, television revenue and franchise values. Serving as the fifth Commissioner of Major League Baseball for fifteen long years, he was forced to take several tough decisions to protect the integrity of the game.

Mouloud Feraoun was an Algerian writer who wrote in French. Some of his books have been translated into a number of languages including German and English. Also an important and influential participant of the Algerian War of Independence, Mouloud Feraoun was martyred during the war in 1962.

Squire Whipple is remembered for introducing the first scientific bridge construction rules. Initially a surveyor, he later invented truss designs using iron and timber. His treatise An Elementary and Practical Treatise on Bridge Building was a seminal text in railroad engineering for many years and helped in wrought and cast-iron designs.

Clement Mary Hofbauer was a Moravian hermit and priest of the Redemptorist congregation. He is best remembered for his lifelong work to improve the conditions of the poor during a riotous period that left thousands in destitution in Europe. The Catholic Church has declared him a saint for his service.

Florence Chadwick was an American swimmer. In 1951, Chadwick became the first woman to swim across the English Channel both ways, having crossed the Channel from France to England in 1950. In 1970, she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Suzy Delair was a French actress, singer, dancer, comedian, and vaudeville artist. She is best remembered for her lead role of Chérie Lamour in the 1951 French-Italian film Atoll K which marked the final screen appearance of the popular comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.