1579day.year

Thomas Gresham

(1519 - 1579)

English merchant and financier

English merchant and financier
Influential English merchant and financier who founded the Royal Exchange and articulated Gresham's Law.
Born in 1519 in London to a family of prosperous merchants. He conducted extensive trade in Antwerp, gaining expertise in international finance. Gresham served as financial agent and adviser to King Edward VI and Queen Elizabeth I. In 1565, he established the Royal Exchange, providing a central hub for London's merchants. He is credited with formulating Gresham's Law on currency circulation. Gresham died in 1579, leaving a legacy as a pioneer of modern financial infrastructure.
1579 Thomas Gresham
1991day.year

Sonny Werblin

(1907 - 1991)

American businessman and philanthropist

American businessman and philanthropist
American entertainment executive and philanthropist who co-founded MCA and owned the NFL's New York Jets.
Born in 1907, Werblin began his career in the entertainment industry, helping to build Music Corporation of America into a major talent agency and production powerhouse. In the early 1960s, he acquired the AFL's New York Jets, leading the franchise to its first championship. Beyond sports and entertainment, he was a generous philanthropist, supporting educational programs and medical research initiatives across the U.S. His visionary approach to talent management and community development reshaped multiple industries. He passed away in 1991, leaving a legacy as a pioneering businessman and benefactor.
1991 Sonny Werblin
2013day.year

Fred Kavli

(1927 - 2013)

Norwegian-American businessman and philanthropist, founded The Kavli Foundation

Norwegian-American businessman and philanthropist founded The Kavli Foundation
Norwegian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded The Kavli Foundation.
Fred Kavli was born in 1927 in Eresfjord, Norway, and pursued studies in engineering before emigrating to the United States. In 1965, he founded Kavlico, a sensor and instrumentation company that became a global leader in automotive and aerospace markets. After selling Kavlico for $1.6 billion in 2000, Kavli established The Kavli Foundation to support scientific research and education worldwide. The foundation sponsors research institutes, awards prizes in astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience, and promotes public engagement with science. Kavli's philanthropy has advanced frontier fields and fostered collaboration across disciplines. He passed away in 2013, leaving a lasting impact on both industry and scientific discovery.
Fred Kavli The Kavli Foundation
2024day.year

Alice Brock

(1941 - 2024)

American artist, author and restaurateur

American artist author and restaurateur
American artist, author, and restaurateur best known as the inspiration behind Arlo Guthrie's folk song "Alice's Restaurant."
Alice Brock (1941–2024) gained cultural immortality as the muse for Arlo Guthrie's 1967 hit "Alice's Restaurant," which chronicled her bohemian café in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. A painter and collage artist, she studied art in Ohio before relocating to the Berkshires. In 1965, she opened her café as a creative gathering place where music, art, and political activism intersected. Brock later authored memoirs recounting her experiences in the 1960s counterculture and continued to exhibit her artwork nationally. Her restaurant became a landmark for anti-war sentiment and folk music enthusiasts. Throughout her life, she blended hospitality and creativity, leaving an indelible mark on American folk culture.
2024 Alice Brock