July 22 Birthdays:


William Archibald Spooner (1844-1930) Oxford Don - absent minded professor, had a tendency to mix up words. The linguistic effect became known as a Spoonerism, weather intended or not. i.e. "The weight of rages will press hard upon the employer"; "bass ackwards", "you can lead a whore to water but you can't maker her think", “this vast display of cattle ships and bruisers.”




Emma Lazarus (1849-1887) poet, multi-lingual, called for a Jewish homeland 13 years before Herzel. Translator of Jewish poets to English. Taught immigrating Ashkenazi Jews English and technical knowledge. Died at 38. Best known for her sonnet "The New Colossus", which appears on the pedestal of the Statue of
Liberty.

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Frederick William Rolfe, better known as Baron Corvo. Often used Fr. Rolfe to seem a member of the clergy. Also called himself 'Frederick William Serafino Austin Lewis Mary Rolfe'. In his only written comment on his sexuality, he wrote a friend, 'My preference was for the 16, 17, 18 and large'. His book "Hadrian VII" is a great read. I saw the Broadway adaptation in what, the late '60s? In it, an eccentric chain smoking Englishman rejected for the priesthood suddenly becomes Pope. The character is, of course, himself. It's a work of genius, and quite a hoot.

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Edward Hopper (1882-1967) – artist

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James Whale (1889-1967) Theater and film director known for Franenstein, The Old Dark House, Bride of Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, and what is considered to be the definitive "Show Boat". The last months of his life were the basis for Christopher Bram's The Father of Frankenstein, the basis for the movie Gods and Monsters. Whale neither hid nor flaunted his sexuality, which was fairly daring in the 1920's and 30's.



Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (1890-1995) – matriarch of American royalty. Considering everything, she had to have been one hell of a strong woman. (She was medicated, and lived to 6 months shy of 105.)




Amy Vanderbilt (1908-1974) – etiquette expert




Happy 70th !!!
George Clinton – musician/P Funk 
 
 

 

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Bobby Sherman – teen idol