May 2 birthdays

1892 MANFRED VON RICHTHOFEN German flying ace

Known as The Red Baron, Richthofen was a cavalryman before he joined the German air service in 1915. He was considered the ace-of-aces in World War I, credited with 80 air combat victories. Richthofen was shot down and killed in 1918.

1903 BENJAMIN SPOCK American paediatrician

Spock’s parenting advice book Baby and Child Care, released in 1946, sold 500,000 copies in the first six months after publication. It had sold more than 50 million copies by the time of Spock’s death in 1998.

1936 ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK British singer

Humperdinck achieved international prominence with his 1967 hit single Release Me. That single and The Last Waltz both toped the British charts in 1967. He scored further major hits throughout his career.

1969 BRIAN LARA West Indian cricketer

Lara holds the record for the highest individual score in a Test innings after scoring 400 not out against England at Antigua in 2004. His 501 not out for Warwickshire in 1994 is the only quintuple-hundred in first-class cricket history.

1972 DWAYNE JOHNSON

American actor

Known as The Rock, Johnson wrestled for WWE for eight years before pursuing an acting career. His films have grossed more than $10.5bn. His film credits include the Scorpion King, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.

1975 DAVID BECKHAM English footballer

Beckham played for Manchester United, Preston North End (on loan), Real Madrid, AC Milan (on loan), LA Galaxy and Paris Saint-germain during his career. He was the first English player to win league titles in four countries – England, Spain, the US and France.

Brian Lara.

1985 LILY ALLEN English singer

Allen’s first mainstream single, Smile, topped the British singles chart in 2006. Her first album was well received, but her second album, It’s Not Me, It’s You, debuted in top spot on the British charts.