Todd Akin is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 2nd District, best known for his controversial statement on abortion made during his 2012 senate bid.
1947-
1810-1891
Chuck Close is noted for his highly inventive techniques used to paint the human face. He rose to fame in the late 1960s for his large-scale, photo-realist portraits.
1940-
1889-1963
Actress Edie Falco starred in independent films and TV shows before her role as Mafia wife Carmela Soprano on HBO's The Sopranos made her a star.
1963-
1801-1870
Minister and lecturer Sylvester Graham was a major figure of the 19th century dietary reform movement and was also known as the person behind Graham crackers.
1794-1851
British inventor Jonathan Carter worked for James Watt. Seeking to improve on Watt's design, he devised the first reciprocating compound steam engine.
1753-1815
Ornithologist Ernst Mayr demonstrated that the development of separate species in higher animals depends on the geographical isolation of precursor populations.
1904-2005
1911-1974
Legendary guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson has had several hit albums with The Band, an influential rock group of the 1960s and 1970s.
1943-
1918-2005
Actor Michael Stuhlbarg has combined a stage career with work on the TV series Boardwalk Empire and films like A Serious Man, Men in Black III and Hitchcock.
1968-
1958-