Born on This Day: July 16

English painter and first president of the Royal Academy whose portraits and lectures shaped British art and artistic education.

American religious leader and writer who founded Christian Science and established enduring religious and publishing institutions.

American journalist and civil-rights activist whose anti-lynching investigations and organizing advanced racial and women’s rights.

Norwegian explorer who led the first expedition to reach the South Pole and advanced polar exploration techniques.

American actor whose range and authority influenced film and television performance across five decades.

American agricultural scientist and entrepreneur whose hybrid popcorn and marketing transformed a specialty crop into a national consumer product.

American actor and dancer whose partnership with Fred Astaire helped define dance in classical Hollywood cinema.

Panamanian musician, actor, and public servant whose socially conscious salsa expanded Latin music and political storytelling worldwide.