Famous people and celebrities who died on May 19

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on May 19. On this day, we honor the lives and legacies of notable figures from various fields who left an indelible mark on the world. Explore our list to learn about their remarkable contributions and celebrate their enduring impact.

• 1795 Josiah Bartlett

  Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the first governor of New Hampshire.

• 1864 Nathaniel Hawthorne

  American short-story writer and novelist who was an expert in the allegory and symbol story. he is most well-known for the scarlet letter (1850), and the house of the seven gables (1951).

• 1895 Jose Marti

  Jose Marti was a Cuban poet, writer, and revolutionary who is considered a national hero for his efforts in the fight for Cuban independence from Spain.

• 1898 William Gladstone

  British politician, the p.m. for great britain under queen victoria 1868-1874. 1880-1886. 1892-1894 although he originally wanted to be a priest, he ended up entering public office to please the father. he was a prominent british politician and found his place in finance. hawarden, england, 19 may 1898.

• 1918 Ferdinand Hodler

  After winning his first award seven years prior, a swedish artist opened his own studio. he began a series on basic existence, love, death, faith, despair, god, and grief in 1891 at the age of 38.

• 1958 Ronald Colman

  British-american actor. a gentlemanly, romantic star on-screen since 1922. he was nominated to the oscar for his performances in "a double life" (1947).

• 1969 Coleman Hawkins

  Coleman Hawkins was a pioneering jazz tenor saxophonist who significantly shaped the development of bebop and swing music. He is widely considered the first important tenor saxophonist in jazz history and influenced generations of musicians with his innovative improvisational style. Known as the 'Father of the Tenor Saxophone', Hawkins was particularly famous for his groundbreaking 1939 recording of 'Body and …

• 1971 Ogden Nash

  Ogden Nash was a renowned American poet famous for his witty, humorous, and often playful light verse. He published numerous poetry collections and was widely recognized for his clever wordplay and satirical style. Nash is considered one of the most popular and distinctive American poets of the 20th century.

• 1983 Jean Rey

  Jean Rey was a prominent Belgian lawyer and politician who served as the second President of the European Commission, playing a significant role in early European integration efforts.

• 1984 John Betjeman

  Renowned English poet who served as Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1972 until his death in 1984, known for his nostalgic and humorous poetry celebrating British architecture and social history.

• 1994 Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

  Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was an iconic First Lady who transformed the role through her elegance, cultural sophistication, and historical significance. She was a symbol of American grace during the tumultuous 1960s and later became a respected book editor in New York. Her life was marked by personal tragedy and remarkable resilience.

• 1994 Luis Ocaña

  Luis Ocaña was a prominent Spanish professional cyclist who won the Tour de France in 1973 and was known for his fierce and aggressive racing style. He was a significant figure in professional cycling during the 1970s, often challenging legendary riders like Eddy Merckx.

• 1994 Jacques Ellul

  Influential French philosopher and sociologist known for critical analyses of technology, propaganda, and the intersection of religion and politics. He was a prominent academic at the University of Bordeaux who wrote extensively on social systems and technological determinism.

• 1999 James Blades

  Renowned British percussionist and sound effects expert who worked extensively in radio and film, contributing significantly to audio production techniques during the mid-20th century.

• 2001 Alexey Maresyev

  Legendary Russian World War II fighter pilot, famous for his extraordinary courage and resilience after losing both legs in combat.

• 2002 John Gorton

  Australian politician who served as the 19th Prime Minister of Australia from 1968 to 1971.

• 2002 Walter Lord

  Prominent American historian and author best known for his detailed accounts of historical events like the Titanic disaster.

• 2009 Robert F. Furchgott

  Nobel Prize laureate for their discoveries concerning nitric oxide as a signalling molecule in the cardiovascular system

• 2011 Garret FitzGerald

  Prominent Irish politician who served as the 7th Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland from 1981 to 1987. He was a key figure in Irish politics during a transformative period and played a significant role in Northern Ireland peace negotiations.

• 2012 Bob Boozer

  Professional American basketball player who competed in the 1960s, representing the United States in international competitions.

• 2014 Jack Brabham

  Jack Brabham was an iconic Australian racing driver who became the only Formula One world champion to win a title in a car of his own design. He was a three-time world champion (1959, 1960, and 1966) and was knighted for his significant contributions to motorsport.

• 2014 Sante Kimes

  Notorious American criminal known for her elaborate cons and involvement in murder, particularly infamous for her criminal activities with her son.

• 2015 Happy Rockefeller

  Happy Rockefeller was a prominent American socialite and the wife of Nelson Rockefeller, a powerful political figure who served as Governor of New York and Vice President of the United States. She was known for her social prominence and complex personal life, having children from a previous marriage before marrying Nelson.

• 2016 Alan Young

  Alan Young was a beloved Canadian-American actor famous for his iconic role as Wilbur Post in the classic television comedy series 'Mister Ed', which ran from 1961 to 1966.

• 2016 Morley Safer

  Renowned Canadian-American journalist best known for his long tenure on CBS's '60 Minutes', where he delivered impactful and investigative reporting for over four decades.

• 2021 Paul Mooney

  Influential African American comedian, writer, and social commentator known for his sharp and provocative comedy.

• 2023 Andy Rourke

  Legendary bass player of the influential British rock band The Smiths, who passed away in May 2023.