Born on This Day: December 6

English king whose troubled reign helped trigger the Wars of the Roses.

French chemist whose process for producing soda ash transformed industrial chemistry.

American poet whose work became widely known in popular and devotional literature.

American lyricist whose collaborations became central to musical theater and the popular songbook.

American actor whose stage, radio, film, and television work influenced modern character performance.

American pianist and composer whose rhythmic experiments broadened jazz’s audience and language.

Austrian writer whose formally innovative work influenced contemporary European literature.

American writer, director, and producer whose work has influenced modern film and television comedy.