Jefferson Davis

popular name: Turenne

date_of_death: July 27, 1675

age: 63

cause_of_death: Killed by a cannonball at the battle of Salzbach

claim_to_fame: Historical Figure

best_know_for: Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, vicomte de Turenne , commonly known as Turenne, was a French general and one of only six Marshals to have been promoted Marshal General of France. The most illustrious member of the La Tour d'Auvergne family, his military exploits over his five-decade career earned him a reputation as one of the greatest military commanders in modern history. Turenne's genius best represents the art of war in the 17th century. For the small, costly, and highly trained regular armies, and for the dynastic warfare of the age of Louis XIV, Turenne functioned as the ideal army leader. He showed little more than the nature of a simple and honorable soldier, endowed with much tact; but in the world of politics and intellect he seemed almost helpless in the hands of a skillful intriguer or casuist. His morals, if not beyond reproach, were at least more austere than those prevalent in the age in which he lived. He operated essentially as a commander of regular armies. He spent his life with the troops; he knew how to win their affection.

popular name: Ossie Davis

date_of_death: February 4, 2005

age: 87

cause_of_death: Suspected heart disease

claim_to_fame: Historical Figure

best_know_for: Ossie Davis was an American actor, director, writer, and activist. He and his wife, Ruby Dee were named to the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame; were awarded the National Medal of Arts and were recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1994. Ossie David made his film debut in 1950 in the Sidney Poitier film No Way Out. He was one of a handful of black actors able to find commercial success while avoiding stereotypical roles prior to 1970, which also included a significant role in the movies The Hill, The Cardinal, and The Scalphunters. In addition to acting, Ossie Davis was considered one of the most notable black directors of his generation. Some of his best known works include directing Gordon's War, Black Girl and Cotton Comes to Harlem.

popular name: Antoine-Augustin Parmentier

date_of_death: December 13, 1813

age: 76

cause_of_death: Tuberculosis

claim_to_fame: Historical Figure

best_know_for: Antoine-Augustin Parmentier (1737–1813) was a French pharmacist, agronomist, and nutrition advocate best known for promoting the potato as a reliable food source in France. After serving as a military pharmacist during the Seven Years’ War, he was captured by Prussians and fed a diet largely consisting of potatoes—an experience that convinced him of their nutritional value at a time when the French public considered them unsafe. Returning to France, Parmentier conducted scientific studies on potato cultivation, organized public demonstrations, and even persuaded influential figures, including King Louis XVI, to support his efforts. Beyond potatoes, he contributed significantly to public health by working on food preservation, public hygiene, smallpox vaccination campaigns, and improved bread production. Parmentier’s work helped transform French agricultural practices and eased food shortages, securing his legacy as a pioneering figure in nutrition and public health.