Happy Birthday

F. Scott Fitzgerald was one of 20th century America’s greatest authors. His short stories and novels explored the wealth, hopes and moral indifference of the new-rich men and women of the 1920s, a time he dubbed the “Jazz Age.” His novel, “The Great Gatsby,” is an American masterpiece.

Nicknamed “The Genius” for his ability to weave musical genres together and excel in all areas of performance, Ray Charles was a distinctly American legend. Although he grappled with blindness, drug addiction and physical ailments, Charles never lost his desire to perform and innovate, which won him a devoted fan base and critical acclaim throughout his career.

An idyllic farm surrounded by vineyards and olive groves in the Tuscan countryside was the setting for Andrea Bocelli’s childhood. But this soft-spoken singer, beloved by fans of both opera and pop music, has also faced challenges, tackling critics of his career moves, skeptics of his talent and his blindness with gusto.

Sultan Abdulhamid II, who ruled the Ottoman Empire for more than 30 years, earned a reputation both as an oppressive leader and a champion of Turkish industry, education and culture.

Best known for exposing horrific practices in the meatpacking industry with his novel, “The Jungle,” Upton Sinclair was more than just a muckraker. From organizing a utopian commune to running for office, the sworn socialist was relentless in his quest for reform.

By age 16, Twiggy was an international sensation, appearing on catwalks and magazine covers worldwide. She redefined the fashion world with her stick-thin body, popularizing the waif look over the more voluptuous pinups. When she retired from modeling at 20, Twiggy pursued a career in film and theater. She has recently been seen as the face of Marks & Spencer and plans to write a fashion book for women over 40.

Not only did Samuel Johnson’s work define the literature of the 18th century, his dictionary defined the language. Sometimes called “the great convulsionary” for his twitches and tics, Johnson pulled himself up from a poor, sickly son of a bookseller to become one of the most famous writers of the 1700s.

Celebrated writer William Carlos Williams is noted for his influence on the development of the short story form in 20th century American literature. His distinctive prose is marked by an exploration of human nature, deepened by his lifelong commitment to his “day job” as a physician.

Lauren Bacall got her start at age 19 as a sultry screen siren alongside future husband Humphrey Bogart, 25 years her senior. She went on to win Tony, Golden Globe and Lifetime Achievement Awards for her work in theater and film, as well as the National Book Award for one of her autobiographies.

Lauded after his death as one of cinema’s greatest directors, Jean Renoir earned comparatively few words of praise during his lifetime. From a childhood in Montmartre, sitting as a model for his famous Impressionist-painter father, to a Best Director Oscar nomination for his 1945 film “The Southerner,” Renoir’s creativity carried him through a colorful life.

After seeing what she felt were too many women dying a result of unintended pregnancy, Margaret Sanger decided it was time for a revolution. She brought birth control—and controversy—to the masses, operating under the belief that every child should be a wanted child. In the 1920s, she sparked a heated national conversation about reproductive choice that continues to this day.

Remembered for his bestselling children’s novels, including “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” author Roald Dahl’s life was nearly as dark and complex as that of a character in one of his books. An intensely unhappy childhood, adventures as a fighter pilot and intelligence agent in World War II, and a life marked by personal tragedy all provided rich fodder for a lifetime of stories.

H.L. Mencken, the “Sage of Baltimore,” was an outspoken journalist whose caustic tongue and scathing criticism of many segments of American society inspired anger and devotion among readers.

At the end of his life, D.H. Lawrence wrote, “For man, as for flower and beast and bird, the supreme triumph is to be most vividly, most perfectly alive.” His work always strove to reconcile the needs of the body with an intellectual existence; however, in his life, his sickly body often held back the progress of his gifted mind.

Renowned for both his revolutionary contributions to evolutionary biology and his ability to make science accessible to the public, Stephen Jay Gould drew upon science, sports, pop culture and art to craft a remarkable career.

Leo Tolstoy proclaimed, “The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity.” His rebellion toward society, and his philosophical and idealistic outlook fashioned his paradoxical and inquisitive nature. His romantic prose, attitude for nonviolence, and dedication to ideals influenced many political and spiritual leaders. As professor Andy Kaufman points out, “he was more than a great writer, he was a phenomenon.”

The shape-shifting aspects of Peter Sellers made him one of the most versatile actors around—his many faces, voices and impressions lending themselves to characters such as Inspector Clouseau and Dr. Strangelove. His comic genius coupled with his ability to completely immerse himself in the characters he portrayed made him beloved of audiences. Though his personal life was plagued by inner demons, he arguably shaped the nuances of British comedy we know today.

Alan Haskvitz is one of America’s best teachers. Over the past 20 years he has taught almost every grade level and core subject. He has written books and articles on teaching, and has won the admiration of his students and of the education community.

Jane Addams was a pioneer in the field of social work and co-founder of the Hull House, a settlement house for lower class immigrants in Chicago. A noted pacifist and internationalist, Addams fearlessly took unpopular stances and became the first American woman ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Renowned German documentary filmmaker Werner Herzog focuses on the eccentric, the original and the fascinating in people and stories, reflecting his own inner nature. As one critic said, “If Werner Herzog didn’t exist, Werner Herzog would surely have created him.”

Richard Wright, the first African-American man to make a living as an author, is known for landmark books like “Native Son” and “Black Boy.”

“The skyscraper poet” is how Time magazine referred to Louis Sullivan in 1951. The description holds true today, as Sullivan is widely recognized as one of America’s great architects. Sullivan’s works were a driving force within the American architectural landscape. His most significant contribution to architecture is visible in any city skyline—the invention of the high-rise skyscraper.

Terry Bradshaw has made a career out of exceeding expectations. Though derided by fans as a country bumpkin, he deftly guided the Steelers to four Super Bowl championships in a six-year span. His post-football career has included a spot on the Billboard charts, multiple Emmys, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Boxer Rocky Marciano is legendary for being the only heavyweight champion in history to win every single one of his 49 professional fights, with 43 knockouts. He is remembered for his ferocity as a boxer, and conversely, for his mild manner and congeniality outside the ring.

Maria Montessori’s innovative approach to education left an indelible mark on the way in which we view child development. Her world-famous educational method focused on the discovery of each child’s unique potential, and recognized a close interaction with the environment as an essential element of mental, emotional, physical and spiritual growth in children.

Warren Buffett, was the richest man in the world in 2008. But despite his fortune, the American investor remains dedicated to the ethics of business by upholding the personal and financial standards he learned as a child in Nebraska.

“I work so hard before the camera and on the stage that I have neither the desire nor the energy to act in my private life,” actress Ingrid Bergman once said in a New York Times interview. Renowned for her striking, unadorned beauty as well as her phenomenal talent as an actress, Bergman was quite a departure from the standard Hollywood starlet.

Jack Kirby was as much of a hero to the comic book industry as the characters he created. An innovator in the industry for his in-your-face artistic style of exaggerated action and his dynamic two-page spreads, Kirby is credited with renowned for co-creating iconic figures like the Hulk, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Fantastic Four and Captain America.

The American designer Tom Ford made his mark as the head designer of Gucci, transforming the brand in the late 1990s from a passé European label into a multibillion-dollar brand sought after by a wide demographic.

American heiress Peggy Guggenheim was considered to be as intriguing as the art she collected. One of the pioneering collectors of Abstract Expressionism, she had a particular fondness for surrealism, cubism and sculpture. At the height of her career, she amassed a piece of art per day.