March 04

Born in 1702 in London, Jack Sheppard became infamous for his daring prison escapes. Convicted of burglary, he escaped Newgate Prison four times, capturing public imagination. His exploits were sensationalized in pamphlets and ballads, making him a legendary figure. Sheppard's life inspired plays, novels, and artworks in 18th-century England. In 1724, recaptured and executed, he was celebrated for his audacity and resilience. His legend endured as a symbol of resistance against authority in popular culture.

Born in 1729 to the d'Arpajon family, Anne married Philippe de Noailles in 1747. She served as lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette and earned the sobriquet 'Madame Etiquette.' Renowned for enforcing court protocol, she became a symbol of aristocratic formality. During the French Revolution, she was arrested alongside the royal family. In 1794, Anne d'Arpajon was guillotined in Paris during the Reign of Terror. Her reputation as a staunch defender of royal tradition endures in history.

Born into a prominent Philadelphia family in 1781, Gratz dedicated her life to social reform and community service. She co-founded the Female Hebrew Benevolent Society in 1819, providing aid to struggling Jewish families. In 1838, she established the Hebrew Sunday School, one of America’s first Jewish educational initiatives for children. Gratz also supported orphan asylums and the Protestant Episcopal Female Institution, advocating women’s welfare across faiths. Her commitment to interfaith understanding and philanthropy left a lasting impact on American social and religious life.

Jacob L. Beilhart was born in 1867 and led the Spirit Fruit Society, a communal living experiment emphasizing spiritual and social reform. In 1899, he established the society in Illinois, promoting communal property, free expression, and unconventional religious practices. Beilhart's vision challenged social norms, emphasizing individual freedom, artistic expression, and gender equality. Under his direction, the group published writings on community, spirituality, and gender equality. He died in 1908, and the society dissolved shortly thereafter, leaving a legacy of radical communal experimentation.

Born in Kentucky in 1877, Morgan moved to Cleveland where he ran a sewing machine shop. He invented a safety hood in 1914, a precursor to the modern gas mask, used to save workers in tunnel accidents. Morgan received a patent for his traffic signal in 1923, introducing the modern three-position light system. He founded the G. A. Morgan Hair Refining Company and later a tailoring business employing African-American workers. Morgan's innovations enhanced public safety and set standards for traffic management. He actively supported educational and civic initiatives in the African-American community. Morgan died in 1963, celebrated as a pioneering inventor and businessman.

Maria Branyas (1907–2024) was an American-born Spanish supercentenarian renowned for her exceptional longevity. Born in San Francisco, she moved to Catalonia during her childhood and lived through monumental events, including the Spanish Civil War and two world wars. Branyas became the oldest living person in Europe in 2022 at the age of 115 and held the title of the oldest living person in Spain until her passing. She attributed her long life to a diet rich in dark chocolate, daily sunshine, and a positive outlook on life. Celebrated for her warmth and resilience, Branyas’s life story inspired research into healthy aging and garnered global admiration for her record-breaking age.

T. R. M. Howard was an accomplished surgeon who used his medical practice as a platform for civil rights activism. He founded one of the first integrated hospitals in Mississippi and provided care to Black patients during segregation. Howard organized voter registration drives and supported legal challenges to discriminatory laws. He mentored future civil rights leaders and played a key role in the movement for equality. His work helped lay the groundwork for landmark civil rights achievements in the 1950s and 1960s.

Carl Marzani was a passionate political activist who co-founded left-leaning publications in the United States. As a publisher, he provided a platform for writers and thinkers to discuss social justice and policy reforms. Marzani also served as an advocate for government transparency and civil liberties. He lectured widely on political issues and appeared at conferences and rallies. His enduring influence lies in the role his journals played in shaping progressive discourse during the Cold War era.

Born in 1918, Dahlmann served as a pilot in the German air force during World War II, gaining firsthand experience in aerial combat. After the conflict, he studied law and established a successful legal practice. He then turned to journalism, writing insightful articles on postwar politics and society. Dahlmann’s unique perspective bridged military and civilian worlds, making him a respected commentator. His work appeared in major German newspapers for decades. He passed away in 2017, remembered for his versatile career and critical voice.

Richard E. Cunha was born in 1922 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He became known as a director and cinematographer of low-budget science fiction and horror films in the 1950s. His notable works include directing cult classics like 'Giant from the Unknown' (1958) and 'She Demons' (1958). As a cinematographer, he worked on films such as 'The Killer Shrews', using inventive techniques on shoestring budgets. Cunha's distinctive visual style has earned him a lasting cult following among genre fans. He continued to work behind the camera until his retirement and influenced a generation of indie filmmakers. Cunha passed away in 2005, leaving behind a body of work celebrated for its creativity under constraint.

Walter 'Wally' Bruner Jr. was an American journalist and pioneering television host. Born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1931, he began his career as a radio announcer. In the early 1960s he joined NBC News as a correspondent, covering national and international events. In 1968 he launched 'Wally Bruner's Something Else,' a groundbreaking TV series in which he crisscrossed the country in a motor home to capture everyday American life. His personable style and on-the-road reporting earned him national recognition. Bruner authored several books recounting his travels and observations. He passed away in 1997, remembered for bringing human-interest stories into American homes.

Allan Kornblum began his career in law enforcement as a police officer and later pursued a legal education. He was appointed to the bench where he presided over municipal and county court cases, earning a reputation for fairness. Throughout his judicial career, Kornblum focused on community-oriented programs and rehabilitation initiatives. He was known for his commitment to transparent courtroom proceedings and mentoring young legal professionals. His dedication to public service spanned several decades until his passing in 2010.