Louis Braille

popular name: John Tyler

date_of_death: January 18, 1862

age: 71

cause_of_death: Stroke

claim_to_fame: Historical Figure

best_know_for: John Tyler was the tenth president of the United States, serving from 1841 to 1845 after briefly holding office as the tenth vice president in 1841. As vice president, John Tyler set the example for a seamless and immediate succession of presidential power when an incumbent president dies. He is known for being the first president to serve without being elected to office, and served nearly an entire term of four years after President William Henry Harrison died just 32 days after taking office. Tyler demonstrated how a president who was willing to use the veto could block Congress. He vetoed a bill resurrecting the Bank of the United States (which Jackson had dismantled).

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.

popular name: Harriet Tubman

date_of_death: March 10, 1913

age: 90

cause_of_death: Pneumonia

claim_to_fame: Historical Figure

best_know_for: Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist, humanitarian, and spy for the Union Army during the Civil War. Born into slavery around 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland, she endured a harsh and brutal life before escaping to freedom in the North around 1849. After gaining her freedom, Tubman became one of the most prominent conductors on the Underground Railroad, risking her life to lead hundreds of enslaved people to freedom. Known for her courage, strategic thinking, and deep commitment to justice, she made numerous trips back to the South despite the constant danger of capture. During the Civil War, Tubman also worked as a nurse, cook, and eventually a scout and spy for the Union Army, contributing significantly to military intelligence efforts. After the war, she remained active in the fight for civil rights and women's suffrage. The grave of Harriet Tubman at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, New York enjoys visitors even after a century since her passing.