April 14

Born in 1672 to a wealthy aristocratic family, Lady Catherine Jones remained unmarried and devoted her life to philanthropy. She funded hospitals, schools, and foundling homes, often acting anonymously to protect the dignity of recipients. A patron of artists and writers, she supported emerging talents and cultural projects in London. Her modest lifestyle belied her substantial charitable impact, and her legacy endured through the institutions she helped establish. Jones died in 1740, remembered for her compassion and generosity.

Addie Joss (1880–1911) was one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers during the dead-ball era. Playing his entire major league career with the Cleveland Naps, he achieved a career ERA of 1.89 and threw a perfect game in 1908. Joss combined athletic excellence with sharp intellect, writing columns on baseball strategy and game analysis. His life was cut short by tubercular meningitis at the age of 31, shocking fans and players alike. In recognition of his outstanding career and character, he was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978.

Henri Elzéar Taschereau (1836–1911) was a distinguished Canadian lawyer and the first French Canadian appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada. Educated at Université Laval, he was named a Puisne Justice in 1873 and rose to Chief Justice in 1902. During his tenure, he presided over landmark constitutional cases that helped define the division of powers between federal and provincial governments. Taschereau was respected for his legal scholarship and commitment to bilingual justice. His leadership helped shape Canada’s judicial independence and solidify the Supreme Court’s authority.

Born in 1881 in Toronto, Christie moved to the United States to pursue a career in film. He co-founded the Christie Film Company, producing and directing hundreds of silent shorts. Christie's studio became known for its slapstick humor and charismatic performers. He wrote screenplays that helped define early comedic storytelling in cinema. Christie transitioned to sound films before retiring in the 1930s. His contributions laid the groundwork for future generations of filmmakers.

Born in Durango, Mexico in 1914, José Revueltas became deeply involved in leftist politics early in his life. He authored novels, essays, and screenplays that critically examined social injustice and the legacy of the Mexican Revolution. Revueltas faced imprisonment and exile due to his outspoken views, yet he continued writing and contributing to political discourse. He collaborated on influential Mexican films and founded cultural journals to advocate for reform. His work had a significant impact on Latin American literature and inspired future generations of writers and activists. Revueltas remains celebrated for blending creative storytelling with political commitment.

Irene Greenwood was an Australian broadcaster and activist born in 1898. She began her career as a radio announcer in the 1920s, becoming one of the country's first female voices on air. Greenwood used her platform to advocate for women's suffrage, equal pay, and social welfare reforms. During and after World War II, she campaigned for peace and nuclear disarmament, linking women's rights to global security. She was a founding member of organizations such as the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in Australia. Greenwood's pioneering work in media and activism influenced generations of female broadcasters and feminists, leaving a lasting legacy in both journalism and social justice movements.

Born in 1942, Klaus Bednarz began his career in journalism covering Eastern Europe during the Cold War era. He worked as a foreign correspondent and produced influential reports that shed light on political developments behind the Iron Curtain. Bednarz authored several books on European history and culture, combining rigorous research with engaging narrative. His television documentaries for German broadcasters reached wide audiences and earned him journalistic awards. He inspired future generations of reporters through his commitment to depth and context in storytelling until his death in 2015.

Bernard L. Madoff founded his investment firm in 1960 and built a reputation for delivering consistent returns to investors. In 2008, his operation was revealed to be a massive Ponzi scheme that defrauded thousands of clients of billions of dollars. Madoff was arrested and later sentenced to 150 years in prison for securities fraud and related crimes. The scandal shook financial markets and led to widespread regulatory reforms. He died in prison in 2021, leaving a legacy of deceit and a cautionary tale for the financial industry.