Famous Left-hander Birthday, May 24

Queen Victoria of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and Empress of India

Queen Victoria (24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was born Alexandrina Victoria in Kensington Palace, London. She was the monarch of the UK and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. She has the longest reign in the history of the British empire, 63 years and 7 months, is known as the Victorian era. From 1 May 1876, she also used the additional title of Empress of India.
Victoria was the daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, the fourth son of King George III. Both the Duke of Kent and the King died in 1820, and Victoria was raised under close supervision by her German-born mother, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.

At the age of 18, she inherited the throne after her father’s three elder brothers died. The United Kingdom was already an established constitutional monarchy, in which the Sovereign held relatively few direct political powers, however, she attempted to influence government policy and ministerial appointments. Publicly, Queen Victoria became a national icon, and was identified with strict standards of personal morality.

She married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in 1840. Their 9 children and 26 of their 42 grandchildren married into royal and noble families across the continent, tying them together and earning her the nickname “the grandmother of Europe”. After Albert’s death in 1861, she went into deep mourning and avoided public appearances. As a result of her seclusion, republicanism temporarily gained strength, but in the latter half of her reign, her popularity recovered. Her Golden and Diamond Jubilees were times of public celebration.

Queen Victoria’s reign or the Victorian era was a period of industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and military change within the United Kingdom, and was marked by a great expansion of the British Empire. She was the last British monarch of the House of Hanover. Her son and successor King Edward VII belonged to the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

Queen Victoria was succeeded by her son Edward VII.

Sources:

The Official Website of the British Monarchy

Wikipedia

Image:

Queen Victoria by Alexander Bassano, Wikimedia Commons

Famous Left-hander Birthday, May 24

Bob Dylan, Singer-Songwriter

Bob Dylan (Robert Allen Zimmerman), is born on May 24, 1941, in Duluth, Minnesota. He is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet and painter. His genres include folk rock, folk, rock, country, blues, and gospel.

Dylan has been a major figure in music for five decades and has had immense influence on 20th century popular music. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s, the period of social unrest that saw the popularity of singers like Joan Baez, the trio Peter, Paul and Mary, among others. Some of his most popular early songs include “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are a-Changin’”.

With the burgeoning counterculture, Bob Dylan’s music and lyrics incorporated a variety of political, social, and literary influences.

Dylan has both amplified and personalized musical genres. His recordings that span fifty years have explored numerous distinct traditions in American song – from folk, blues and country to gospel, rockabilly, and to English, Scottish, & Irish folk music, eventually embracing swing and jazz.

As a recording artist and performer Dylan performs with guitar, keyboards, and harmonica. His greatest contribution is generally considered to be his songwriting. Since 1994, Dylan has published three books of drawings and paintings, and his work has been exhibited in major art galleries.

Bob Dylan has received numerous awards. They include Grammy, Golden Globe, and Academy Awards. He has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In 2008, in Duluth , Minnesota, his birthplace, a road called the Bob Dylan Pathway was opened to honor him in the singer’s honor. A Pulitzer Prize in 2008 awarded him with a special citation.

 

Source:

Wikipedia

Image:

Bob Dylan, Alberto Cabello, Wikimedia Commons

Famous Left-hander Birthday, May 23

Drew Carey, Actor

Drew Allison Carey is born on May 23, 1958, in Cleveland, Ohio. He is an American actor, comedian, photographer, sports executive, and game show host.

Carey served in the U.S. Marine Crops. After serving in the marines, he made a name for himself in stand-up comedy and eventually gaining popularity by starring on his own sitcom, The Drew Carey Show. He also serves as host on the U.S. version of Whose Line is It Anyway?. Both shows of which are aired on ABC.

Drew Carey has appeared in several films, television series, music videos, a made-for-television film, and a computer game. He hosts the game show The Price is Right and the improv comedy show Drew Carey’s Improv-A-Ganza.

Carey has written an autobiography detailing his early life and television career.

 

Source:

Wikimedia

Image:

Drew Carey by Cyan Banister, Wikimedia Commons

Famous Left-hander Birthday, May 20

George Gobel, Comedian and Actor

George (Leslie) Gobel (May 20, 1919 – February 24, 1991) was born in Chicago, Illinois, US. He was an American comedian and actor.

Gobel was best known as the star of The George Gobel Show, his own weekly NBC television show, which ran from 1954 to 1960 (the last season on CBS that alternated with the popular The Jack Benny Program.

He was married to Alice Gobel.

 

Source:
Wikimedia

Famous Left-hander Birthday, May 18

Robert Morse, Actor

Robert Morse is on born May 18, 1931, in Newton, Massachusetts, US. He is an American actor and singer.

Although he acts in movies and television shows, Morse is known for his appearances in musicals, and plays on Broadway.  His best known role is that of J. Pierrepont Finch in the 1961 Broadway musical, and 1967 film How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Robert Morse is presently known for his role as Bertram Cooper on the show Mad Men. 

His spouses include:  Carol Ann D’Andrea (1961-1981) and Elizabeth Roberts (1989-present).

Resource:  Wikipedia
Image: Wikimedia Commons Public Domain

External Links:

• Robert Morse at Internet Movie Database

• Robert Morse, Internet Broadway Database