May 10 birthdays

1838 JOHN WILKES BOOTH American assassin

Booth was a stage actor and Confederate sympathiser who lamented the recent abolition of slavery. On April 12, 1865, Booth slipped into President Abraham Lincoln’s box at Ford’s Theatre and shot him in the back of the head. Lincoln died the next morning.

1899 FRED ASTAIRE American dancer

In a career that spanned more than 70 years, Astaire appeared in 10 Broadway and

West End musicals, 31 musical films, four TV specials, and numerous recordings. His most memorable dancing partnership was with Ginger Rogers.

1918 GEORGE WELCH American flying ace

Welch was one of the few US Army Flying Corps pilots able to get airborne to engage Japanese forces during the attack on Pearl Harbour, achieving two kills during the battle. Welch became a test pilot after the war.

1933 BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD British author

Bradford’s debut novel, A Woman of Substance, was published in 1979 and has sold more than 30 million copies. She has written 39 novels, all appearing on bestseller lists in England and the US. All up, she has sold more than 90 million books

1949 MIUCCIA PRADA Italian designer

Prada is a billionaire fashion designer. She is head designer of Prada and the founder of its subsidiary Miu Miu. In 2021, Forbes estimated her net worth to be $6.62bn, making her the 464th richest person in the world.

1957 SID VICIOUS English musician

Vicious is best known as the bass player for the punk rock band Sex Pistols. Vicious was charged with the stabbing death of girlfriend Nancy Spungen, but died of a heroin overdose while on bail before the case went to trial.

Sid Vicious.

1960 BONO Irish musician

Bono is the lead singer and primary lyricist of the rock band U2. As a member of U2, Bono has collected 22 Grammy Awards. Outside music, Bono is an activist for social justice causes.