#RIP #OTD in 1831 Welsh actress, the best-known tragedienne of the 18th century, “tragedy personified”, Sarah Siddons died in London, aged 75. Saint Mary’s Gardens at Paddington Green (Joshua Reynolds’ portrait, Sarah Siddons as The Tragic Muse)
On this day in 1845, Old Hickory, politician, army general, United States Senator from Tennessee, Military Governor of Florida, the seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson died at The Hermitage, his home near Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 78, of chronic tuberculosis, dropsy, and heart failure. Born on 15 March 1767 in the Waxhaws region on the border of North and South Carolina. His parents were Presbyterian Scotch-Irish colonists. Jackson had red hair and blue eyes and was about six feet, one inch, tall.
Jackson defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans (1815) and the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend (1814). His enthusiastic followers created the modern Democratic Party, and the 1830-1850 period later became known as the era of Jacksonian democracy. Jackson was nicknamed “Old Hickory” because of his toughness and aggressive personality that produced numerous duels, some fatal. He was a rich slave owner who appealed to the masses of Americans and fought against what he denounced as a closed undemocratic aristocracy. As president, he supported a small and limited federal government but strengthened the power of the presidency. Jackson was strongly against the national bank, and vetoed the renewal of its charter and ensured its collapse. Whigs and moralists denounced his aggressive enforcement of the Indian Removal Act, which resulted in the forced relocation of Native American tribes to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). Jackson served as POTUS from 4 March 1829 to 4 March 1837. His legacy is now seen as mixed by historians. Jackson is praised as a protector of popular democracy and individual liberty for American citizens, but criticized for his support for slavery and Indian removal. Jackson married Rachel Donelson (1794-1828 her death).
The Final Footprint – Jackson was entombed next to Rachel at The Hermitage. There are many memorials dedicated to Jackson and many streets, counties, cities, parks and schools are named after him. I have been to Washington DC and seen the huge bronze equestrian statue of Jackson that was cast from a bronze cannon captured in his last campaign against the Spanish and has graced Lafayette Park since 1853. I have spent some time enjoying Jackson Square in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
#RIP #OTD in 1874 leader of the Chihuicahui local group of the Chokonen, principal nantan of the Chokonen band of the Chiricahua Apache, Cochise died in the Cochise Stronghold, Dragoon Mountains, Arizona, aged 68-69. Cochise Stronghold
#RIP #OTD in 1876 novelist (Valentine, Mauprat, Consuelo, La Mare au Diable, La Petite Fadette), memoirist, journalist, Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, George Sand died at Nohant, near Châteauroux, France, aged 71. Chapel at Nohant-Vic
On this day in 1889, poet and Jesuit priest Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ died of typhoid fever in Dublin at the age of 44. Born on 28 July 1844 in Stratford, Essex, England. His posthumous fame established him among the leading Victorian poets. His manipulation of prosody – particularly his concept of sprung rhythm – established him as an innovative writer of verse, as did his technique of praising God through vivid use of imagery and nature. Only after his death did Robert Bridges begin to publish a few of Hopkins’s mature poems in anthologies, hoping to prepare the way for wider acceptance of his style. In my opinion, his work is one of the most original literary accomplishments of his century.
The Final Footprint
His funeral was held in Saint Francis Xavier Church on Gardiner Street, located in Georgian Dublin. On his death bed, his last words were, “I am so happy, I am so happy. I loved my life.” He is interred at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin. Other notable final footprints at Glasnevin include; Brendan Behan, Michael Collins, Maude Gonne, and Seán MacBride.
#RIP #OTD in 1956 painter and printmaker, important figure in the Parisian avant-garde as a member of the Cubists associated with the Section d’Or, Marie Laurencin died in Paris, aged 72. Père Lachaise Cimetière, Paris
#RIP #OTD in 1982 professional baseball pitcher, 2× MLB All-Star, 6× Negro league All-Star, World Series champion, Negro World Series champion, Satchel Paige died of a heart attack at his home in Kansas City, aged 75. Forest Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Kansas City.
On this day in 2018, celebrity chef, author, and travel documentarian Anthony Bourdain died from an apparent suicide by hanging in his room at Le Chambard hotel in Kaysersberg near Colmar, France, at the age of 61. Born Anthony Michael Bourdain on June 25, 1956 in New York City. He starred in programs focusing on the exploration of international culture, cuisine, and the human condition. Bourdain was a 1978 graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and a veteran of a number of professional kitchens in his long career, which included many years spent as executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles in Manhattan. He first became known for his bestselling book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (2000).
His first food and world-travel television show A Cook’s Tour ran for 35 episodes on the Food Network in 2002 and 2003. In 2005, he began hosting the Travel Channel’s culinary and cultural adventure programs Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (2005–2012) and The Layover (2011–2013). In 2013, he began a three-season run as a judge on The Taste, and concurrently switched his travelogue programming to CNN to host Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. Bourdain also wrote both fiction and historical nonfiction. On June 8, 2018, Bourdain died by suicide while on location in France for Parts Unknown.
Bourdain married his high school girlfriend, Nancy Putkoski, in 1985, and they remained together for two decades, divorcing in 2005. On April 20, 2007, he married Ottavia Busia, a mixed martial artist. Bourdain said having to be away from his family for 250 days a year working on his television shows was a strain. The couple separated in 2016. In 2017, Bourdain began dating the Italian actress Asia Argento, whom he met when she appeared on the Rome episode of Parts Unknown.
Bourdain practiced the martial art Brazilian jiu-jitsu, earning a blue belt in August 2015. He won gold at the IBJJF New York Spring International Open Championship in 2016, in the Middleweight Master 5 (age 51 and older) division.
The Final Footprint
Bourdain’s body was cremated in France on June 13, 2018.
#RIP #OTD in 2024, songwriter (Hooked on a Feeling, suspicious minds, Moody Blue, as co-writer Always on My Mind), Mark James died at his home in Nashville aged 83. Memorial park cemetery, Memphis
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On this day in 1937, actress, Baby, the Blonde Bombshell, the Platinum Blonde, Jean Harlow died of renal failure in Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles at the age of 26. Born Harlean Harlow Carpenter on 3 March 1911 in Kansas City, Missouri. Howard Hughes signed Harlow to a contract and she appeared in his film Hell’s Angels (1930). She was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood in the 1930’s and appeared in five films with Clark Gable. Harlow married three times: Charles McGrew (1927-1929 divorce), Paul Bern (1932-1932 his death), Harold Rosson (1933-1934 divorce). After her third marriage ended in 1934, Harlow met William Powell, another MGM star, and quickly fell in love. Reportedly the couple were engaged for two years, but differences kept them from formalizing their relationship (she wanted children; he did not). Harlow also said that Louis B. Mayer would never allow them to marry.
The Final Footprint – Harlow is entombed in a private family room in the Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California. Her crypt is lettered; OUR BABY. She was buried in the gown she wore in Libeled Lady and in her hands she held a white gardenia and a note which Powell had written: “Goodnight, my dearest darling.” Spaces in the same room were reserved for Harlow’s mother and Powell. Harlow’s mother was entombed there in 1958, but Powell remarried in 1940 and after his death in 1984 was cremated: his ashes were scattered over the Palm Springs Desert area. Gable was a pallbearer. Other notable Final Footprints at Forest Lawn Glendale include; L. Frank Baum, Humphrey Bogart, Lon Chaney, Nat King Cole, Dorothy Dandridge, Sammy Davis, Jr., Sam Cooke, Walt Disney, Errol Flynn, Clark Gable, Michael Jackson, Carole Lombard, Tom Mix, Casey Stengel, Jimmy Stewart, Elizabeth Taylor, and Spencer Tracy.
On this day in 2015, actor, singer, and author Christopher Lee died 
On this day in 1799, attorney, planter, politician, orator, and Founding Father, Patrick Henry died of stomach cancer at Red Hill, his plantation near Brookneal, Virginia at the age of 63. Born 29 May 1736 in Hanover County, Virginia. Remembered for his “Give me Liberty, or give me Death!” speech.
On this day in 1968, politician, civil rights activist, RFK, Robert F. Kennedy died at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles from gunshot wounds sustained at The Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles at the age of 42. Born Robert Francis Kennedy on 20 November 1925 in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was the younger brother of John F. Kennedy and the older brother of Edward M. Kennedy. RFK was a graduate of Harvard and obtained his law degree from the University of Virginia. He served as Attorney General of the United States (1961-1964) first under his brother, JFK, then briefly under LBJ. Following JFK’s assassination, at the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, RFK quoted Shakespeare (from Romeo and Juliet) in speaking of his brother;
The Final Footprint – His body was returned to New York City, where it lay in repose at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral for several days before the Requiem Mass held there on June 8. His brother, Ted, eulogized him with the words:
On this day in 1982, poet, translator, essayist, “The Father of the Beats”, Kenneth Rexroth died in Santa Barbara, California at the age of 76. Born Kenneth Charles Marion Rexroth in South Bend, Indiana on 22 December 1905. In my opinion, one of the central figures in the San Francisco Renaissance. Although he apparently did not consider himself to be a Beat poet, and disliked the association, he was dubbed the “Father of the Beats” by Time. He was among the first poets in the United States to explore traditional Japanese poetic forms such as haiku. Much of Rexroth’s work can be classified as “erotic” or “love poetry,” given his deep fascination with transcendent love. Rexroth married four times; Andrée Dutcher (1927-1940), Marie Kass (1941-1955), Marthe Larsen (1949- ), Carol Tinker ( – 1982 his death).
The Final Footprint – Rexroth is interred on the grounds of the Santa Barbara Cemetery Association overlooking the sea. While all the other graves face inland, his alone faces the Pacific. His epitaph reads, “As the full moon rises / The swan sings in sleep / On the lake of the mind.” According to association records, he is interred near the corner of Island and Bluff boulevards, in Block C of the Sunset section, Plot 18. Other notable Final Footprints at Santa Barbara include actor Laurence Harvey, Fess Parker, and Suzy Parker (no relation to Fess).
On this day in 2006, musician and songwriter, the Fifth Beatle, Billy Preston died in Scottsdale, Arizona, of complications of malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure and other complications at the age of 59. Born William Everett Preston on 2 September 1946 in Houston. Preston became famous first as a session musician with artists such as Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and the Beatles, and was later successful as a solo artist with hit pop singles including “Outa-Space”, its sequel, “Space Race”, “Will It Go Round in Circles” and “Nothing from Nothing”, and a string of albums and guest appearances with Eric Clapton, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and others. In addition, Preston was co-author, with The Beach Boys’ Dennis Wilson, of “You Are So Beautiful,” recorded by Preston and later a #5 hit for Joe Cocker.
The Final Footprint – His funeral was held on June 20 at the Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, California, where his remains were entombed at Inglewood Park Cemetery. Other notable Final Footprints at Inglewood Park include; Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Betty Grable, Etta James, Robert Kardashian, Gypsy Rose Lee, Cesar Romero, Big Mama Thornton, T-Bone Walker, and Syreeta Wright.
