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Last Updated 04-04-2018
Leigh Wade -- b.2/2/1897 d.8/31/1991 (94)
Aviator
Boyd David "Buzz" Wagner -- b.10/26/1916 d.11/29/1942 (26)
AviatorMisc: the first United States Army Air Forces fighter ace in World War II
John Wain -- b.3/14/1925 d.5/24/1994 (69)
Novelist, Poet, Critic, Anthologist, Editor
Theodor Waitz -- b.3/17/1821 d.5/21/1864 (43)
Anthropologist, Psychologist, German
Selman Waksman -- b.7/22/1888 d.8/16/1973 (85)
Scientist, Microbiologist, Physician, Russian
George Wald -- b.11/18/1906 d.4/13/1997 (90)
BiochemistMisc: Nobel Prize, vitamin A in retina
Lillian D. Wald -- b.3/10/1867 d.9/1/1940 (73)
Scientist, Doctor, Nurse, SociologistMisc: child welfare reformer, institutional in establishing a nationwide system of nurses in public schools, "Angel of Henry Street" (New York City)
Joseph Walker -- b.12/13/1798 d.11/13/1872 (73)
Explorer, NaturalistMisc: Sierra Nevada mtns.
Mary Edwards Walker -- b.11/26/1832 d.2/21/1919 (86)
Physician, Surgeon, Civil Rights Leader
Thomas Walker -- b.1/25/1715 d.11/9/1794 (79)
Explorer, PhysicianNames/Places: b. in Virginia, U.S. ColoniesMisc: Trader
Alfred Russell Wallace -- b.1/8/1823 d.11/7/1913 (90)
Scientist, Naturalist, Zoologist, BritishMisc: co-discoverer of evolution
Otto Wallach -- b.3/27/1847 d.2/26/1931 (83)
Chemist, German, Prussian
Fred Waller -- b.3/10/1886 d.5/18/1954 (68)
InventorMisc: invented cinerama & water ski
John Wallis -- b.11/23/1616 J-LD d.10/28/1703 J-LD (86)
Mathematician, BritishMisc: intorduced the infinity math symbol
Samuel Wallis -- b.4/23/1728 d.1/21/1795 (66)
Explorer, Navigator, EnglishMisc: Easter Island
Kenneth A. Walsh -- b.11/24/1916 d.7/30/1998 (81)
AviatorMisc: was the fourth ranking United States Marine Corps fighter ace in World War II with a record of 21 enemy planes destroyed.
Eugene Walter Jr. -- b.11/30/1921 d.3/29/1998 (76)
Short Story Writer, Poet, Screen/Scriptwriter, Inventor, Actor, Ventriloquist
Johann Gottfried Walther -- b.9/18/1684 d.3/23/1748 (63)
Lexicographer, Theorist, Composer, Organist, GermanMisc: one of the first musical lexicographers
Ernest Thomas Walton -- b.10/6/1903 d.6/25/1995 (91)
Physicist, IrishMisc: with John Cochcroft, discovered how to split an atom
John Wanamaker -- b.7/11/1838 d.12/12/1922 (84)
Inventor, Pioneer, BusinesspersonMisc: developed deptpartment store merchandising
Dr. An Wang -- b.2/7/1920 d.3/24/1990 (70)
Engineer, Inventor, Businessperson, ChineseMisc: founded WANG computer makers; computer memory core; some say b. Feb 2
Felix Wankel -- b.8/13/1902 d.10/9/1988 (86)
Engineer, Inventor, GermanMisc: the first rotary internal combustion engine
Otto Warburg -- b.10/8/1883 d.8/1/1970 (86)
Chemist, Physiologist, German
Tess Ward -- b.3/25/1990 N.S.
Author, Chef, Model, EnglishBook Titles: The Naked Diet
Fred Waring -- b.6/9/1900 d.7/29/1984 (84)
Inventor, Variety Show Host, Director, Conductor/Composer, Arranger, Songwriter, Banjoist, Violinist, BandleaderNames/Places: b. in Tyrone, PAMisc: Chorals; Waring blender inventorGroup Names: Pennsylvanians (lead)TV Shows: The Fred Waring Show, Glee Club
Worcester Reed Warner -- b.5/6/1846 d.6/25/1929 (83)
Astronomer, Engineer, Inventor, PhilanthropistMisc: pioneer in the machine-tool industry, benefactor to science, and co-founder of Warner and Swasey Company
John Collins Warren -- b.8/1/1778 d.5/4/1856 (77)
Physician, Surgeon
Dr. Joseph Warren -- b.6/11/1741 d.9/17/1775 (34)
Revolutionary, Physician
Gerald J. Wasserberg -- b.3/25/1927 N.S. d.6/13/2016 N.S. (89)
Scientist, Geologist, Geophysicist
Benjamin Waterhorse -- b.3/4/1754 d.10/2/1846 (92)
Physician
Lewis Waterman -- b.11/18/1837 d.5/1/1901 (63)
Inventor, ManufacturerMisc: fountain pens
James Dewey Watson -- b.4/6/1928
Scientist, Biochemist, Biologist, Geneticist, ZoologistMisc: co-discoverer the DNA structure
John Broadus Watson -- b.1/9/1878 d.9/25/1958 (80)
PsychologistMisc: spokesman for behaviorism
Dr. Thomas A. Watson -- b.1/18/1854 d.12/13/1934 (80)
EngineerNames/Places: MN:AugustusMisc: Alexander Graham Bell's assistant
Sir Robert Watson-Watt -- b.4/13/1892 d.12/6/1973 (81)
Engineer, Physicist, ScotishMisc: invented the radar, which was a major factor in the defeat of Germany in WWII; d. Dec 5?
James E. Watt -- b.1/19/1736 Ju-1 or 1/30/1736 N.S. d.8/19/1819 N.S. (83)
Engineer, Inventor, ScotishMisc: Scottish engineer (Get it? Engineer Scotty?!?); of the Steam Engine; d. Aug 25?
Beatrice Porter Webb -- b.1/21/1858 d.4/30/1943 (85)
Scientist, Sociologist, Economist, English
Max Weber -- b.4/21/1864 d.6/14/1920 (56)
Author, Scientist, Sociologist, Professor, GermanMisc: Theorist of Liberal Imperialism
James Weddell -- b.8/24/1787 d.9/9/1834 (47)
Explorer, Navigator, EnglishMisc: Antarctic explorer, Weddell Sea
Josiah Wedgwood -- b.7/12/1730 d.1/3/1795 (64)
Artist, Potterist, Inventor, English
Thomas Wedgwood -- b.5/14/1771 d.7/10/1805 (34)
Photographer, Inventor, BritishNames/Places: Josiah's son
Alfred L. Wegener -- b.11/1/1880 d.11/??/1930 (50)
Scientist, Geophysicist, Meterologist, GermanMisc: formulated the first complete statement of the continental drift hypothesis.
Paul Weitz -- b.7/25/1932 N.S. d.10/23/2017 N.S. (85)
Astronaut, AviatorMisc: veteran of Skylab and shuttle missions
Chaim Weizmann -- b.11/27/1874 d.11/9/1952 (77)
Scientist, Head of State, RussianMisc: the first president of Israel in 1948
John Francis "Jack" Welch Jr. -- b.11/19/1935
Author, Engineer, Businessperson, ExecutiveMisc: former General Electric CEO & chairman; wasn't he the one who refused to shake David Letterman's hand?
William Welch -- b.4/8/1850 d.4/30/1934 (84)
Scientist, Bacteriologist, PathologistMisc: founded John Hopkins
Thomas Weller -- b.6/15/1915 d.8/23/2008 (93)
Scientist, Bacteriologist
Walter Wellman -- b.11/3/1858 d.1/31/1934 (75)
Aeronautical, Aviator, Explorer, Journalist
William Augustus W. Wellman -- b.2/29/1896 d.12/9/1975 (79)
Screen/Scriptwriter, Aviator, Movie Producer/DirectorNames/Places: b. in Brookline, MassMisc: WWI flying aceMovie Titles: A Star is Born, The Ox Bow Incident
Horace Wells -- b.1/21/1815 d.1/24/1848 (33)
DentistMisc: pioneer in use of medical anethesia.
Carl Auer Welsbach -- b.9/1/1858 d.8/4/1929 (70)
Chemist, Engineer, AustrianMisc: invented the gas mantle, thus allowing the greatly increased output of light by gas lamps.
Abraham Werner -- b.9/25/1750 d.6/30/1817 (66)
Geologist, German
Alfred Werner -- b.12/12/1866 d.11/15/1919 (52)
Chemist, Swiss
Max Wertheimer -- b.4/15/1880 d.10/12/1943 (63)
Author, Psychologist, German
Daniel Wesson -- b.5/18/1825 d.8/4/1906 (81)
Inventor, ManufacturerMisc: firearms; founded (Horace) Smith & Wesson Co.
David Wesson -- b.1/14/1861 d.5/22/1934 (73)
ChemistMisc: created Wesson Oil, Florence Henderson wouldn't have Wessonality without him!
Dr. Ruth Westheimer -- b.6/4/1928
Author, Doctor, Psychologist, Columnist, TV Talk Show Hostess, GermanNames/Places: RFMN:Karola Ruth Siegel
George Westinghouse -- b.10/6/1846 d.3/12/1914 (67)
Inventor, ManufacturerMisc: The Air Brake, founded own company, Standardized U.S. current; held 400 patents
Edward Weston -- b.5/9/1850 d.8/20/1936 (86)
Inventor, Manufacturer, American, British
Karl Weyprecht -- b.9/8/1838 d.3/29/1881 (42)
Explorer, German
Sir Charles Wheatstone -- b.2/6/1802 d.10/19/1875 (73)
Scientist, Inventor, BritishMisc: The Wheatstone bridge was a device that accurately measured electrical resistance and became widely used in laboratories. He didn't actually invent the "Wheatstone Bridge".; One of his contemporaries, Samuel Hunter Christie, came up with the idea of the bridge circuit, but Wheatstone set the precedent for using it in the way in which it has been most commonly used.; Over time, the device became associated with him and took on his name.
Sir Mortimer Wheeler -- b.9/10/1890 d.7/22/1976 (85)
Scientist, Archaeologist, BritishMisc: a great popularizer for his subject, particularly on TV.
Schuyler S. Wheeler -- b.5/17/1860 d.4/20/1923 (62)
InventorMisc: invented the two-blade electric fan in 1882
Cullen Whipple -- b.9/4/1801 d.10/23/1858 (57)
Machinist, InventorMisc: patented the screw machine
Fred Whipple -- b.11/5/1906 d.8/30/2004 (97)
AstronomerMisc: discovered 6 comets
George Hoyt Whipple -- b.8/28/1878 d.2/1/1976 (97)
Pathologist, Astrophysicist, EducatorMisc: Nobel-1934
Squire Whipple -- b.9/16/1804 d.3/15/1888 (83)
Engineer, InventorMisc: also a theoretician who provided the first scientifically based rules for bridge construction.
Edward H. White II -- b.11/14/1930 d.1/27/1967 (36)
AstronautMisc: died in Apollo I fire
Marco Pierre White -- b.12/11/1961 N.S.
Author, Chef, Restaurateur, English
Paul Dudley White -- b.6/6/1886 d.10/31/1973 (87)
Physician
Peregrine White -- b.11/20/1620 d.7/20/1704 (83)
Pioneer, SettlerNames/Places: the son of William and Susanna WhiteMisc: was born aboard the Mayflower in Massachusetts Bay; the first child to be born of English parents in present-day New England
Alfred North Whitehead -- b.2/15/1861 d.12/30/1947 (86)
Philosopher, Mathematician, English
Marcus Whitman -- b.9/4/1802 d.11/29/1847 (45)
Pioneer, MissionaryMisc: led to the U.S. securing Oregon; In 1836 his family became the first whites to reach the Pacific coast by wagon train. Whitman and his wife Narcissa were murdered by the Cayuse Indians in present-day Washington state in 1847.
Asa Whitney -- b.12/1/1791 d.8/??/1872
Inventor, ManufacturerMisc: Railroad car wheels; b. in 1797?
Eli Whitney -- b.12/8/1765 d.1/8/1825 (59)
InventorMisc: The Cotton Gin and the concept of mass production of interchangable parts
Josiah Whitney -- b.11/23/1819 d.8/19/1896 (76)
Geologist
Jim Whittacker -- b.2/10/1929
ExplorerMisc: the first American to climb Mount Everest
Sir Frank Whittle -- b.6/1/1907 d.8/8/1996 (89)
Aeronautical, Engineer, Inventor, EnglishMisc: invented a jet engine
Sir Joseph Whitworth -- b.12/21/1803 d.1/22/1887 (83)
Engineer, Inventor, EnglishMisc: won international recognition as a machine toolmaker.
Edward Whymper -- b.4/27/1840 d.9/16/1911 (71)
Mountaineer, Naturalist, BritishMisc: the first to climb Matterhorn in 1865
Heinrich Wieland -- b.6/4/1877 d.1/27/1951 (73)
Chemist, German
Wilheim Wien -- b.1/13/1864 d.8/30/1928 (64)
Physicist, German
Norbert Wiener -- b.11/26/1894 d.3/18/1964 (69)
Linguist, Philosopher, MathematicianMisc: invented cybernetics
Torsten Wiesel -- b.6/3/1924
Scientist, Neurophysiologist, Swedish
Sir Vincent Brian Wigglesworth -- b.4/17/1899 d.2/11/1994 (94)
Scientist, EnglishMisc: entomologist, noted for his contribution to the study of insect physiology.
Eugene Paul Wigner -- b.11/17/1902 d.1/1/1995 (92)
Mathematician, Physicist, HungarianMisc: played a prominent role in the development of the atomic bomb and nuclear energy
Charles Wilkes -- b.4/3/1798 d.2/8/1877 (78)
Naval Officer, ExplorerMisc: sailed around the world
Maurice Wilkes -- b.6/26/1913 d.11/29/2010 (97)
Inventor, Computer ScientistMisc: invented the stored program concept for computers
Sir George Hubert Wilkins -- b.10/31/1888 d.12/1/1958 (70)
Aviator, Explorer, AustralianMisc: the first to fly over North & South poles; advanced the use of the airplane and pioneered the use of the submarine for polar research.
Maurice Wilkins -- b.12/15/1916 d.10/5/2004 (87)
Scientist, Physicist, Biophysicist, New ZealandMisc: worked with DNA
Roy Wilkins -- b.8/30/1901 d.9/8/1981 (80)
Pioneer, Editor, Civil Rights Leader, Social Reformer, Political ActivistMisc: N.A.A.C.P.
John Wilkinson -- b.??/??/1728 d.7/14/1808
InventorMisc: pioneered the use and manufacture of cast iron and cast-iron goods in the Industrial Revolution.
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams -- b.1/18/1858 d.8/4/1931 (73)
Surgeon, EducatorMisc: performed the first open heart operation
Jonathan Williams -- b.5/20/1750 d.5/16/1815 (64)
Soldier, Engineer, Merchant
Robert R. Williams -- b.2/16/1886 d.10/2/1965 (79)
Chemist, IndiaMisc: the first to synthesize thiamine (Vitamin B1)
William Carlos Williams -- b.9/17/1883 d.3/4/1963 (79)
Writer, Poet, Doctor, Physician
Hugh Williamson -- b.12/5/1735 d.5/22/1819 (83)
Scientist, PoliticianMisc: legislator
James Robert Williamson -- b.10/29/1949
Engineer, Music Producer, Songwriter, Rock & Roll GuitaristGroup Names: The Stooges
Thomas Willis -- b.1/27/1621 J-LD d.11/11/1675 J-LD (54)
Doctor, Physician, EnglishMisc: he played an important part in the history of anatomy, neurology and psychiatry
Richard Willstatter -- b.8/13/1872 d.8/3/1942 (69)
Chemist, GermanMisc: studied the structure of chlorophyll and other plant pigments
Alfred Wilm -- b.6/25/1869 d.8/6/1937 (68)
Scientist, GermanMisc: Metallurgist
Alexander Wilson -- b.7/6/1766 d.8/23/1813 (47)
Poet, Scientist, Naturalist, Ornithologist, Scotish
Charles T. R. Wilson -- b.2/14/1869 d.11/15/1959 (90)
Scientist, Scotish
Edmund Beecher Wilson -- b.10/19/1856 d.3/3/1939 (82)
BiologistMisc: researches in embryology and cytology
Edward Osborne Wilson -- b.6/10/1929
BiologistMisc: recognized as the world's leading authority on ants. He was also the foremost proponent of sociobiology, the study of the genetic basis of the social behaviour of all animals, including humans.
Justin "Cajun Chef" Wilson -- b.4/24/1914 d.9/5/2001 (87)
Humorist, Chef
Kenneth Wilson -- b.6/8/1936 d.6/15/2013 (77)
Physicist
Robert Woodrow Wilson -- b.1/10/1936
Astronomer, Physicist
Newton Horace Winchell -- b.12/17/1839 d.5/2/1914 (74)
Geologist
Paul Winchell -- b.12/21/1922 d.6/24/2005 (82)
Inventor, Actor, Cartoon Voice Actor, Puppet Actor, VentriloquistNames/Places: b. in New York CityMisc: puppetmaster with Jerry Mahoney & Knucklehead Smiff; voiced many Hanna-Barbera shows; The Scrubbing Bubble; artifical heart inventorTV Shows: The Paul Winchell Show (1950s), Circus Time (ringmaster), Dastardly & Muttley and Their Flying Machines (as Dick Dastardly), Goober & the Ghost Chaser (as Goober), The Smurfs (as Gargamel), Winnie the Pooh (as Tigger)
Major Walter Clopton Wingfield -- b.9/16/1833 d.4/18/1912 (78)
Inventor, Tennis Player, BritishNames/Places: NN: The Father of Tennis
John Winthrop -- b.12/19/1714 d.5/3/1779 (64)
Astronomer, Physicist, EducatorMisc: first American astronomer
Louis Wirth -- b.8/28/1897 d.5/3/1952 (54)
SociologistMisc: urban problems
John Wise -- b.2/24/1808 d.9/28/1879 (71)
Aeronautical, AviatorMisc: unsure of death date
Georg Wittig -- b.6/16/1897 d.8/26/1987 (90)
Chemist, German
Friedrich Wohler -- b.7/31/1800 d.9/23/1882 (82)
Chemist, GermanMisc: co-discovered Vandium
Max Wolf -- b.6/21/1863 d.10/3/1932 (69)
Astronomer, GermanMisc: Milky Way; applied photography to the search for asteroids and discovered 228 of them.
James Wood -- b.9/14/1816 d.5/4/1882 (65)
Surgeon
Jethro Wood -- b.3/16/1774 d.??/??/1834
InventorMisc: inventor of cheap standardized farm equipment parts
Robert Wood -- b.5/2/1868 d.8/11/1955 (87)
Physicist
Granville T. Woods -- b.4/23/1856 d.1/30/1910 (53)
InventorMisc: telegraph for railways
Robert Burns Woodward -- b.4/10/1917 d.7/8/1979 (62)
Scientist, Chemist, ProfessorMisc: best-known for his syntheses of complex organic substances, including quinine (1944), cholesterol and cortisone (1951), and vitamin B{sub 12} (1971). He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1965.
Sir Charles Woolley -- b.4/17/1880 d.2/20/1960 (79)
Scientist, Archaeologist, British
Alfred Worden -- b.2/7/1932
Astronaut, Engineer
Fanny Workman -- b.1/8/1859 d.1/22/1925 (66)
Explorer, GeographerMisc: mountain climber
Hannah Marie Wormington -- b.9/5/1914 d.5/31/1994 (79)
Archaeologist
Sir Christopher Wren -- b.10/20/1632 J-LD or 10/30/1632 N.S. d.2/25/1723 Ju-1 (90) or 3/8/1723 N.S. (90)
Architect, Astronomer, Mathematician, EnglishMisc: 52 London Churches; greatest English architect of his time, built many of the cathedrals in London
Benjamin Wright -- b.10/10/1770 d.8/24/1842 (71)
EngineerMisc: directed the construction of the Erie Canal. Because he trained so many engineers on that project, Wright has been called the "father of American engineering."
John Lloyd Wright -- b.12/12/1892 d.12/20/1972 (80)
Architect, EngineerNames/Places: Frank's sonMisc: Invented Lincoln Logs in 1916.
Orville Wright -- b.8/19/1871 d.1/30/1948 (77)
Aviator, InventorMisc: Airplane co-inventor with brother Wilbur
Sewall Wright -- b.12/21/1889 d.3/3/1988 (98)
Scientist, GeneticistNames/Places: He was the brother of the political scientist Quincy Wright.Misc: one of the founders of population genetics
Wilbur Wright -- b.4/16/1867 d.5/30/1912 (45)
Aviator, InventorNames/Places: b. in Millville, IN; Orville's brotherMisc: co-inventor first power-driven airplane 12-7-1903 with brother Orville
William Wright -- b.11/4/1871 d.5/16/1959 (87)
Astronomer
Wilhelm Wundt -- b.8/16/1832 d.8/31/1920 (88)
Scientist, Psychologist, GermanMisc: father of scientific psychology
Rudolph Wurlitzer -- b.1/31/1831 d.1/14/1914 (82)
Inventor, Manufacturer, GermanMisc: the first automatic electric playing organs (Gee Dad It's a Wurlitzer!); born between Jan 30 and Feb 1
Ralph Wyckoff -- b.8/9/1897 d.11/3/1994 (97)
ScientistMisc: a pioneer in the application of X-ray methods to determine crystal structures and one of the first to use these methods for studying biological substances.
Nathaniel Wyeth -- b.10/24/1911 d.7/6/1990 (78)
InventorNames/Places: Andrew's brotherMisc: invented the plastic soda bottle
Horace Wyman -- b.11/27/1827 d.5/8/1915 (87)
InventorMisc: 260 patents related to looms & textile machinery