DIED THIS WEEK
JULY 20 ABDULLAH I
King of Jordan born in 1882. A 38th generation direct descendant of Muhammad he was installed as ruler of Jordan (then Transjordan) when it became independent in 1946. He was assassinated in 1951
JULY 21 ROBERT BURNS
Scottish poet born in 1759. He wrote original poetry as well collecting traditional folk songs, which he adapted for modern audiences. Among his best known works is Auld lang syne. He died of a heart condition in 1796, aged only 37
JULY 22 CHARLES VII
French king born in 1403. He came to the throne in 1422 but had to fight to reclaim much of his kingdom from the English. He became ill in 1458 due to a sore on his leg that would not heal. He went mad and died in 1461
JULY 23 PHILLIPPE PETAIN
French army officer and head of state born in 1856. He was named Marshal of France in World War I. He became a Nazi puppet ruler of France, in 1940 and was convicted of treason after the war. He became ill in prison and he was released in 1951 but died soon after
JULY 24 MARNI NIXON
American singer born in 1930. A classically trained soprano she is best known for dubbing the singing voices of actors in films such as The King and I and My Fair Lady. She died in 2016
JULY 25 THOMAS A KEMPIS
German-dutch theologian born in Kempen (in what is today Germany) in 1380. He is best known as the author of the work The Imitation of Christ, published in about 1420. He died in 1471
JULY 26 HOWARD VERNON
Australian actor and singer born in 1848. He made his stage debut at 18 in Ballarat. He became best known for his performances in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, spending 25 years with the J.C. Williamson company before touring England. He retired in 1914 and died in 1921