Born on This Day: February 25

French painter whose luminous scenes of modern life and portraiture became defining achievements of Impressionism.

German novelist whose adventure stories shaped European popular images of distant cultures and landscapes.

Italian philosopher and historian whose work on aesthetics, history, and liberalism influenced European intellectual life.

Ukrainian poet and playwright whose writing became central to Ukrainian literature and national culture.

American secretary of state whose diplomacy strongly shaped United States Cold War strategy.

American performer and engineer whose entertainment career and later technical business contributed to film comedy and industry.

American actor whose voice and television performances became enduring parts of twentieth-century popular culture.

English musician whose songwriting, guitar work, and interest in Indian music broadened the language of popular music.