March 04

Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon (1725–1793), Duke of Penthièvre, was a grandson of King Louis XIV and one of pre-Revolution France’s richest landowners. Renowned for his charitable works, he established hospitals, schools, and orphanages on his estates. His generosity earned him respect among his subjects, and he often used his fortune to aid the poor. The duke was a patron of the arts and held one of Europe’s largest private art collections. Despite his royal connections, he lived modestly and remained dedicated to public welfare.

Fannie Barrier Williams was a pioneering African American educator and activist. She was one of the first Black women to graduate from a predominantly white institution, earning her degree from the State Normal School at Brockport in 1875. Williams helped found the National League of Colored Women and later served as its president. She advocated tirelessly for civil rights and women's suffrage at national and international forums. As an associate of W.E.B. Du Bois, she shaped the Black women's club movement. Her work bridged racial and gender divides and left a lasting legacy in American social reform.

Louis "Lepke" Buchalter was a prominent American organized crime figure during the Prohibition era. He co-founded Murder, Inc., the enforcement arm of the National Crime Syndicate, orchestrating numerous contract killings. Buchalter was one of the first major mob bosses to face federal prosecution and the only one to receive the death penalty. Convicted of labor racketeering and murder, he was executed in 1944, marking a turning point in the fight against organized crime. His life and trial underscored the reach and brutality of early 20th-century American gangland.

Louis Capone was a leading member of the notorious Murder, Inc., the enforcement squad of the National Crime Syndicate. Born in Sicily and raised in New York City, he gained a reputation for his ruthless efficiency in organized crime. As a cousin of mobster Albert Anastasia, Capone wielded significant influence in 1930s gang circles. He was convicted alongside Louis Buchalter for murder and racketeering and executed in 1944. His career exemplified the violent underworld of Prohibition-era America.

Born in 1894, Harold Barrowclough graduated from law school before enlisting in World War I, where he served with distinction. In World War II, he commanded the 3rd New Zealand Division in the Pacific, earning the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership. After the war, he resumed his legal career and was appointed Chief Justice of New Zealand in 1958. As Chief Justice, he presided over landmark cases that shaped the judiciary and championed judicial independence. His dual legacy in military service and the law has left a lasting imprint on New Zealand. He died on March 4, 1972.

Born in 1882 in Texas, John Marvin Jones began his legal career after earning a law degree and soon entered politics. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1917 to 1940, chairing the House Committee on Agriculture and sponsoring landmark farm legislation. In 1940, he was appointed to the U.S. Court of Claims and became Chief Judge in 1948, overseeing significant claims decisions that shaped administrative law. Jones served on the bench until 1964, influencing legal precedents with a pragmatic and forward-thinking approach. He died on March 4, 1976, at the age of 93.

Harry Andrew Blackmun was born in 1908 and served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court from 1970 to 1994. Appointed by President Nixon, he became known for his thoughtful and detailed opinions. His 1973 majority opinion in Roe v. Wade established a woman's constitutional right to privacy in abortion decisions. Over his tenure, Blackmun's jurisprudence evolved, often siding with liberal positions on civil rights and criminal justice. Before the Supreme Court, he had a lengthy career in private practice and as a federal judge. Blackmun retired in 1994 and passed away in 1999, leaving a profound influence on American law and society.

Born in 1932, Wooldridge began his journalism career at the age of 16 and eventually joined the Daily Mail. Over his 50-year tenure, he filed thousands of columns on sports, travel, and human interest stories, earning a reputation for wit and integrity. He covered ten Olympic Games, multiple World Cups, and tours of cricket and rugby, bringing events to life with colorful prose. His writing style combined humor with sharp observation, influencing generations of sportswriters. Wooldridge received numerous awards and remained active behind the keyboard until his death in 2007.

Born in 1938, Gygax pioneered tabletop role-playing games, co-designing Dungeons & Dragons in 1974 with Dave Arneson. Under TSR, he expanded D&D into a cultural phenomenon with multiple editions, modules, and novels. His innovation established the templates for modern role-playing games and influenced video game development. Gygax authored rulebooks, short stories, and campaigns, and founded several gaming companies. He remained active in the gaming community until his death in 2008, leaving a lasting legacy in fantasy entertainment.

Vivienne Harris was born in London in 1921 and embarked on a journalism career after World War II. In 1950, she co-founded the Jewish Telegraph, one of the UK's leading Jewish community newspapers. Harris served as editor and publisher, overseeing editorial direction and expansion. She championed coverage of cultural, religious, and social issues affecting British Jews. Her work provided a vital voice for the community during decades of social change. Harris’s legacy endures in the continued success of the Jewish Telegraph.

Bud Collins was a beloved sports journalist who became the voice of tennis for generations of fans. Born in Lima, Ohio, he covered major tournaments around the world for newspapers and later for television networks including NBC. Collins's enthusiastic commentary, encyclopedic knowledge, and trademark bow tie made him a memorable on-screen personality. He also authored comprehensive books on tennis history and maintained a popular blog. Over a career spanning six decades, his blend of humor, insight, and passion helped popularize tennis across the United States.