BORN THIS WEEK
APRIL 19 ANNA LEE ALDRED
American jockey born in 1921. In 1939 she became the first woman in the US to receive a jockey’s licence. She retired from racing in 1945 and took to trick riding. She died in 2006.
APRIL 20 RYAN O’NEAL
American actor born in 1941. He came to fame playing Rodney in TV serial Peyton Place and went on to become a star of films such as Love Story, Barry Lydon and What’s Up Doc?
APRIL 21 JOHN LAW
Scottish economist born in 1621. He fled Scotland after a duel and went to France where be became the Controller General of Finances setting up a private bank that was later nationalised as the Banque Royale. He also set up the Mississippi Company, which was subject to over-speculation and a crash. He died in 1729
APRIL 22 ISABELLA I OF CASTILE
Spanish Queen born in 1451 the daughter of John II of Castile. She married Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Aragon, in 1469. She came to the throne of Castile in 1474, ruling with her husband, who also became king of Aragon in 1479. She died in 1504.
APRIL 23 EDMUND ALLENBY
British soldier born in 1861. He fought in the Boer War and commanded troops during the Middle East campaign in World War I. He served as High Commissioner of Egypt after the war and died in 1936.
APRIL 24 JOHN WILLIAMS
Guitarist born in Australia in 1941 his family later moved to England where he studied at the Royal College of Music. He studied guitar with Adre Segovia, becoming a world renowned virtuoso of the classical guitar.
APRIL 25 MACK HORTON
Australian swimmer born in
1996. He won the gold medal in the 400m at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. He has also won three gold medals at Commonwealth Games. In 2019 he made headlines by refusing to stand on the podium next to a drug cheat.