Today’s birthdays

The Aga Khan is 81.

Mr George Shultz, United States Secretary of State, 1982-89, 97; Mr Christopher Plummer, actor, 88; Lord Renwick of Clifton, former diplomat, 80; Sir Brian Fall, former diplomat; UK Special Representative for the South Caucasus, 2002-12, 80; Lord

Tollemache, Lord-lieutenant for Suffolk, 2003-14, 78; Sir Desmond

de Silva, QC, international lawyer, 78; Miss Anouska Hempel (Lady Weinberg), hotelier and designer, 76; Gen Sir Rupert Smith, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, 1998-2001, 74; Mr Brian Wilson, former MP, 69; Mr Robert Lindsay, actor, 68; Prof Dame

Julia Slingo, Chief Scientist, Meteorological Office, 2009-16, 67; Dr Ralph Townsend, Headmaster of Winchester College, 2005-16, 66; Mr John Francome, writer, racing presenter and former jockey, 65; Ms Peaches Golding, Lordlieutenant for Bristol, 64; Ms Carolyn Fairbairn, Directorgeneral, CBI, 57; and Mr Sascha Kindred, former swimmer; 13-times Paralympic medallist, including seven gold medals, 40. Today is the anniversary of the death of Dr Samuel Johnson in 1784.