August 13

James Gillray emerged in the late 1700s as one of Britain's most influential satirical artists. His hand-coloured etchings lampooned political figures, royalty, and social customs with sharp wit. Often called the father of political cartooning, Gillray's prints were widely circulated and continue to be studied today. He worked prolifically during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras, shaping public opinion with his bold imagery. His legacy lives on in modern editorial cartoons that draw on his pioneering style.

Salomon Jadassohn (1831–1902) was a German composer, pianist, and influential music theorist. He studied at the Leipzig Conservatory under Felix Mendelssohn and quickly gained recognition for his virtuosic piano performances and original compositions. Despite facing anti-Semitic restrictions that barred him from official teaching positions, he became a sought-after private instructor, mentoring students like Ferruccio Busoni and Edward MacDowell. Jadassohn wrote seminal treatises on harmony, counterpoint, and form, shaping music education in the late 19th century. His works include piano concertos, chamber music, orchestral tone poems, and choral pieces, noted for their rich harmonic language and formal clarity. Today, his music and writings are celebrated for their blend of Romantic expressiveness and rigorous theoretical foundation.

George Luks (1867–1933) was an American realist painter and illustrator associated with the Ashcan School of art. He studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and in Paris before returning to capture the grittier side of New York City. Luks's works, such as scenes of street vendors and tenement life, broke from academic traditions and embraced everyday subjects. He also worked as a magazine illustrator, contributing to publications like Life and Puck with satirical and social commentary. Luks's bold brushwork and commitment to realism helped redefine American art at the turn of the 20th century.

Born in 1879, John Ireland emerged as a leading figure in early 20th-century British music. He gained acclaim for his evocative piano pieces and songs, drawing inspiration from English folk traditions and impressionist harmonies. From 1924 to 1949, he served as a professor of composition at the Royal College of Music, mentoring generations of composers. His notable works include the piano piece 'The Holy Boy', the Violin Sonata No. 1, and the song cycle 'The Land of Lost Content'. Knighted in 1954, Ireland's influence extended through performances, lectures, and published writings on music. He passed away in 1962, leaving a legacy of lyrical and technically refined compositions.

Born in 1888 in Russia, Gleb W. Derujinsky emigrated to the United States and developed a reputation for finely crafted sculptures. His body of work includes portrait busts, relief panels, and public monuments that blend traditional realism with modernist influences. Derujinsky exhibited his pieces in galleries and saw his works installed in civic spaces across the country. His attention to detail and expressive portrayal of subjects earned him critical praise. Over a career spanning five decades, he contributed significantly to both private collections and public commemorations until his death in 1975.

Margaret Tafoya was born in 1904 at Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico. She inherited pottery-making traditions passed down through generations of her family. Tafoya mastered the art of creating large-scale blackware vessels using hand-coiling and pit-firing methods. Her works are celebrated for their polished surfaces and deep black sheen. She taught younger artists and helped revive interest in Pueblo pottery during the 20th century. Today, her pieces are held in museums and private collections worldwide.

Brian Lawrance was born in 1909 in Sydney, Australia. He formed his first dance band in the 1930s, gaining acclaim for lively performances at city dance halls. His radio broadcasts brought his orchestra into homes across Australia during the golden age of radio. Lawrance's repertoire spanned jazz, swing, and popular standards, earning him a loyal audience. He toured internationally and collaborated with leading singers of the time. After retiring, he mentored young musicians and preserved big band traditions. Lawrance's contributions helped shape Australia’s mid-century music scene. He died in 1983.

Born in London in 1919, Shearing was blind from birth and developed a unique piano style blending swing and bebop. He moved to the United States in 1947 and formed the George Shearing Quintet, pioneering the 'Shearing Sound'. His 1952 composition 'Lullaby of Birdland' became a jazz standard and remains popular worldwide. Shearing recorded over 100 albums and collaborated with top artists such as Nat King Cole and Peggy Lee. He received numerous awards, including a CBE in 2007, and continued performing well into his eighties. He passed away in 2011, leaving a lasting legacy as one of jazz's most innovative pianists.

Born in Valenciennes, France, in 1921, Frémaux studied at the Paris Conservatoire and began his conducting career with the Orchestre Lamoureux. He later served as principal conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra from 1969 to 1978. Frémaux founded the Orchestre Philharmonique Rhône-Alpes (now Orchestre National de Lyon) in 1971 and championed contemporary French composers. He made acclaimed recordings of works by Berlioz, Saint-Saëns, and Poulenc, earning a reputation for clarity and dynamism. His leadership expanded audiences for orchestral music across Europe through tours and broadcasts. Frémaux received numerous honors for his contributions to music before his death in 2017.

Born James David Walker in Pineland, Texas, in 1921, McCracklin moved to Oakland, California, as a child and adopted his stage name. He emerged in the mid-1940s as a pianist and bandleader, blending West Coast jump blues with R&B rhythms. McCracklin penned and recorded numerous hits, including 'The Walk' (1957) and 'My Brand New Baby', which became blues standards. His powerful vocals and boogie-woogie piano style earned him acclaim on the nightclub circuit and early rock 'n' roll radio. Over a career spanning seven decades, he released more than 25 albums and influenced generations of blues artists. He continued to perform into his late years, earning recognition as a pioneer of West Coast blues. McCracklin passed away in 2012, leaving behind a rich legacy of rhythm and blues classics.

Born in Glasgow in 1921, Mary Lee rose to fame as a popular Scottish singer during the 1940s. Her warm contralto voice and charming persona made her a favorite on BBC radio and in wartime variety shows. Lee performed with leading big bands and appeared in British films, earning acclaim across the UK. Her signature songs included 'When the Lights Go On Again' and 'The White Cliffs of Dover'. After retiring from show business in the 1960s, she dedicated herself to teaching and charity work. She was celebrated for her contributions to British popular music until her death in 2022.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1925, Bailey began his career in Chicago's vibrant jazz clubs. He served in the U.S. Army Band during the mid-1940s, honing his craft on trumpet. Bailey relocated to Europe in 1959, working with the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band and leading his own groups. He recorded extensively and collaborated with artists such as Quincy Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, and Phil Woods. Renowned for his bright tone and technical mastery, he influenced generations of musicians on both sides of the Atlantic. Bailey remained active as a performer and educator until his death in 2005.