1827 – Augustin-Jean Fresnel, French physicist and optics pioneer (proved wave theory of light correct, invented catadioptric Fresnel lens), dies of tuberculosis at 39
1834 – Edmond Charles Genêt, French ambassador to the United States during the French Revolution (b. 1763)
1950 – Āpirana Ngata, Māori New Zealand politician and lawyer known for promoting and protecting Māori culture and language, dies at 76
1953 – Richard von Mises, Austrian scientist and mathematician (probability theory), dies at 70
1982 – George Tremblay, Canadian-American composer, dies at 71
1993 – Robert Strong, American actor, dies at 87
2002 – Carlos Fariñas, Cuban avant-garde composer, dies at 67
2005 – Cicely Saunders, English Nurse, physician and writer who founded the first modern hospice, dies of cancer at 87
2014 – Alice Coachman, American athlete (Olympic gold high jump 1948), dies of cardiac arrest at 90
2022 – William Hart, American soul singer and songwriter (4 Gents; Delfonics – “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)”; “La-La Means I Love You”), dies of surgery complications at 77