Today’s birthdays

Mr John Thorn, Headmaster of Winchester College, 1968-85, is 97; Mr Ian Beer, Head Master of Harrow, 1981-91, 91; Mr J.M. Brearley, former England cricket captain; President, MCC, 2007-08, 80; Mr Chris Stephens, Chairman, Judicial Appointments Commission, 2011-16, 74; Sir Jeremy Cooke, a former High Court Judge, 73; Prof Tim Congdon, economist, 71; Mr Tim Martin, businessman; Founder and Chairman, Wetherspoon, 67; Prof Sir James Mcdonald, Principal and Vice-chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, 65; Mr Ian Rankin, novelist, 62; Lady Helen Taylor, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, 58; Prof Lord Kakkar, Chairman, The King’s Fund; Professor of Surgery, UCL; and Chairman, Judicial Appointments Commission, 58; Mr John Daly, golfer, 56; Mr Andy Flower, former England cricket team coach and former Zimbabwe cricketer, 54; Miss Penélope Cruz, actress, 48; and Sir Bradley Wiggins, former professional road and track cyclist; Tour de France Winner 2012; five-times Olympic gold medallist, 42.

Today is the anniversary of the mutiny aboard HMS Bounty led by Fletcher Christian against the captain, William Bligh, in 1789. It is also the anniversary of the foundation of the League of Nations in 1919.