Pathetic Facts

Australian musicians died at 55

Here are 12 famous musicians from Australia died at 55:

A. Richard Newton

A. Richard Newton (July 1, 1951 Melbourne-January 2, 2007 San Francisco) was an Australian engineer, computer scientist and professor.

Newton received a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Melbourne, Australia, in 1973, and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley in 1978. After completing his PhD, he joined the faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he worked until 1982. He then became a professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, where he founded the Electronic Design Automation (EDA) laboratory.

Newton was a leading researcher in the field of EDA and made significant contributions to the development of computer-aided design tools for integrated circuits. He was the author of over 250 research papers and several books, including "Electronic Design Automation: Synthesis, Verification, and Test" and "Computer-Aided Design of Analog Circuits and Systems."

Newton was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the IEEE Emanuel R. Piore Award in 2001, for his contributions to the field of EDA. He was also a Fellow of the IEEE, the ACM, and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

In addition to his academic work, Newton was a co-founder of two successful EDA companies, Ambit Design Systems and Berkeley Design Automation.

He died as a result of pancreatic cancer.

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Henry Lawson

Henry Lawson (June 17, 1867 Grenfell-September 2, 1922 Abbotsford) a.k.a. Henry Archibald Hertzberg Lawson was an Australian writer and poet. His children are called Joseph Lawson and Bertha Lawson.

Henry Lawson is widely considered one of the most influential Australian writers of all time, and his works are still celebrated today for their insightful portrayal of life in the Australian bush. He wrote over four hundred short stories, poems, and sketches, many of which were based on his personal experiences growing up in poverty in 19th-century Australia.

Lawson's most famous works include his collections of short stories "While the Billy Boils" and "On the Track", as well as his powerful and evocative poems such as "The Bush Undertaker" and "The Drover's Wife". His writing often tackled social issues such as poverty, inequality, and the struggles of rural life, and he became known for his sharp wit and keen observation of Australian life and culture.

Despite achieving great success and critical acclaim during his lifetime, Lawson also struggled with alcoholism and depression, which led to financial difficulties and strained relationships with loved ones. Nevertheless, his enduring legacy as one of Australia's finest writers has cemented his place in the country's literary history, and his influence can still be felt in Australian literature today.

He died caused by cerebral hemorrhage.

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Percival Ball

Percival Ball (February 17, 1845 London-April 4, 1900) was an Australian personality.

Percival Ball was an artist, illustrator, and journalist who immigrated to Australia in 1872. He quickly became involved in the cultural and artistic scenes in Melbourne and Sydney, where he contributed illustrations and editorial cartoons to various newspapers and magazines.

In addition to his artistic pursuits, Ball was also a passionate advocate for causes such as woman suffrage and workers' rights. He was a founding member of the Victorian Socialist League and contributed articles on social and political reform to publications such as The Bulletin.

Ball's contributions to Australian art and culture were recognized even during his lifetime, with his work exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria and the Art Society of New South Wales. Today, his illustrations and cartoons are still celebrated for their wit and incisiveness, as well as their historical insights into Australian society in the late 19th century.

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Clare Dennis

Clare Dennis (March 7, 1916 Australia-June 5, 1971 Manly) was an Australian swimmer.

She was born in Townsville, Queensland and grew up in Sydney. She achieved great success as a swimmer during her career, winning the gold medal in the 200m breaststroke at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Dennis set a world record time of 3 minutes 5.9 seconds in the event, which stood for eight years until it was broken by fellow Australian swimmer, Judith de Guingand.

In addition to her Olympic success, Dennis won several Australian championships and set multiple world records in various breaststroke events. She also became the first female Australian swimmer to compete in England, and later took part in swimming exhibitions in the United States and Canada.

Dennis retired from competitive swimming in 1935 to focus on teaching and coaching. She was later inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1979. Despite her achievements, Dennis faced financial difficulties later in life and was reportedly living in poverty at the time of her death in 1971.

Read more about Clare Dennis on Wikipedia »

Malcolm Champion

Malcolm Champion (November 12, 1883 Norfolk Island-July 27, 1939 Auckland) was an Australian swimmer.

He represented Australia at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, winning two bronze medals in the 4x200m freestyle relay and the 1500m freestyle. Champion was known for his endurance and long-distance swimming skills, often participating in races that lasted for hours. His successful swimming career spanned over a decade, during which he set multiple records and won numerous titles in Australia and internationally. After retiring from swimming, Champion became a successful businessman and farmer in New South Wales. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1988.

Read more about Malcolm Champion on Wikipedia »

Frank Lloyd

Frank Lloyd (April 5, 2015 Australia-April 5, 1960) a.k.a. Frank Maxwell was an Australian actor.

He appeared in over 200 films, including the role of the Wizard in the classic film The Wizard of Oz. Born in Sydney, Australia, Lloyd began his career in entertainment as a vaudevillian performer before transitioning to films in the 1920s. He was known for his deep, resonant voice and often portrayed authority figures such as judges and military commanders. In addition to his acting career, Lloyd was also a producer and director in the early days of Hollywood. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the film industry.

Read more about Frank Lloyd on Wikipedia »

Samuel Henry Harris

Samuel Henry Harris (August 22, 1881-December 25, 1936) was an Australian surgeon.

He was born in Sydney and studied medicine at the University of Sydney, graduating in 1906. After completing his residency, he travelled to London in 1910 to continue his medical education, and was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1911. Harris quickly gained a reputation as a skilled surgeon, and was appointed as a consultant surgeon at St. Mary's Hospital in London in 1914.

During World War I, Harris served as a medical officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps, and was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery in tending to wounded soldiers in the trenches. He also worked on the Royal Navy hospital ship, HMHS Gascon, and was present during the sinking of the ship in 1918. Harris continued to work at St. Mary's Hospital after the war, and became famous for his pioneering work in the fields of thoracic and abdominal surgery.

In addition to his surgical work, Harris was also a keen collector and patron of the arts. He built up a significant collection of Islamic art, which he donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Harris was killed in a car accident in France in 1936, while on his way to join an archaeological dig in Morocco. Despite his relatively short life, Harris is remembered as one of the most important surgeons of his generation, and his contributions to the field of medicine continue to be celebrated today.

Read more about Samuel Henry Harris on Wikipedia »

Fred Williams

Fred Williams (January 23, 1927 Richmond-April 22, 1982 Hawthorn) was an Australian personality.

He was best known as an abstract expressionist painter who created a distinct style of landscape painting that captured the essence of the Australian outback. Born and raised in Melbourne, Williams studied at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology before pursuing a career in art.

Throughout his career, Williams received numerous awards and accolades, including the Order of Australia in 1976 for his contributions to the arts. His works can be found in the collections of major institutions such as the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Aside from his art, Williams was also a passionate environmentalist and his love of the Australian landscape was evident in both his works and his activism. He was particularly concerned with the impact of urban development on the natural environment and campaigned tirelessly for the preservation of open spaces.

Williams died in 1982 at the age of 55, leaving behind a legacy as one of Australia's most celebrated artists and environmentalists.

Read more about Fred Williams on Wikipedia »

Frank Tudor

Frank Tudor (January 27, 1866 Williamstown-January 10, 1922 Richmond) was an Australian politician.

He was a member of the Australian Labor Party and served as the member for Yarra in the Australian House of Representatives from 1904 until his death in 1922. Tudor was a prominent figure in the party and served as its leader from 1916 to 1922. During this time, he played a key role in the conscription debates of World War I and opposed the government's attempts to introduce mandatory military service. Tudor also served as the Minister for Trade and Customs and later as the Minister for Industry from 1910 to 1913. He was a strong advocate for the protection of Australian industries, particularly the steel industry, and played a key role in the establishment of the Commonwealth Steel Company. Tudor was renowned for his commanding presence and oratory skills, and was widely respected by his peers and the public alike. His legacy as a champion of Australian workers and industry remains an important part of the country's political and social history.

Read more about Frank Tudor on Wikipedia »

Andrea Stretton

Andrea Stretton (March 11, 1952-November 16, 2007) was an Australian writer, journalist and presenter.

Stretton was born in Sydney, Australia and started her career in journalism as a cadet reporter for The Australian Women's Weekly. She went on to work for other publications such as Woman's Day, New Idea, and HQ.

Stretton published several novels and biographies throughout her career, including the best-selling biography of media mogul Kerry Packer. She also collaborated on a book with Australian actor Jack Thompson.

In addition to her work in print journalism, Stretton also worked as a television presenter and producer. She hosted the lifestyle program "Healthy Wealthy and Wise" for several years and was a regular contributor to other Australian television programs.

Throughout her career, Stretton was widely respected for her insightful writing and reporting. Her contributions to Australian journalism have been recognized with several awards, including the prestigious Walkley Award for excellence in journalism.

She died as a result of lung cancer.

Read more about Andrea Stretton on Wikipedia »

George Augustine Taylor

George Augustine Taylor (August 1, 1872 Sydney-January 20, 1928) was an Australian journalist.

He was born in Sydney and began his career as a journalist at the Sydney Morning Herald in 1892. In 1900, he moved to London to work for The Times and distinguished himself as a foreign correspondent, reporting on conflicts and events in places such as Russia, Turkey, and the Balkans.

Taylor returned to Australia in 1903 and became the editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, a position he held for ten years. During his tenure, he modernized the newspaper and increased its circulation. He was also a strong advocate for Australia's participation in World War I and promoted the war effort in the newspaper.

In 1914, Taylor moved to the United States and became a journalist for The New York Times. He covered major events such as the sinking of the RMS Lusitania and the global reaction to the Russian Revolution. He was also a commentator on international affairs for NBC radio.

George Augustine Taylor died in New York City in 1928 at the age of 55. His contributions to journalism and his advocacy for Australia in the international community were widely recognized and respected.

Ernest William Christmas

Ernest William Christmas (January 28, 1863 Yankalilla, South Australia-July 29, 1918 Honolulu) was an Australian personality.

He was a notable artist and painter who specialized in portrait paintings and landscapes. He lived in Australia until he was thirty-six years old, then traveled and lived in Europe for several years gaining inspiration and mastering his craft. He later spent time in the United States and Hawaii where he painted portraits of Queen Liliuokalani and other notable Hawaiian figures. Christmas' works have been exhibited in major galleries and museums, including the National Portrait Gallery in London and the National Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney. He was known for his use of vivid colors and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects in his portraits.