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Miscellaneous Biographical Errors |
This page offers a sampling of miscellaneous
biographical errors encountered in various
books and some Web sites. Some of these errors
are quite common and can be found in numerous
books and literally hundreds of Web sites.
While others are rather obscure and may only
be found in a couple of reference books.
If you require source data, or additional
in-depth biographical information, many of
the entries below offer a link to a detailed
biographical profile of that individual,
along with source information utilized for
these error corrections.
For a look at specific errors contained in
many popular almanacs, encyclopedias, and
other reference books, visit our index of
reference book errors. | |
| Rose Bird |
Error: Died "December 6, 1999"
Correction: Died December 4th, 1999
A few sources erroneously report Rose Bird,
former Chief Justice of the California Supreme
Court, died "December 6, 1999." In reality,
she died December 4th, 1999, at about 3 p.m.,
at Stanford University Medical Center, in
Palo Alto, California. A number of her obits
were published Monday, December 6th, 1999, but
this was not her date of death. The obituaries
were very clear: "... died December 4 after
a lengthy illness at the Stanford University
Medical Center." AP reports, "Bird died Saturday,"
in its Sunday, December 5th, 1999 article.
Another reports she, "died of complications
from breast cancer on Saturday," in its Monday,
December 6th, 1999 report.
For more information about Ms. Bird, visit our
biographical profile of Rose Bird. | |
| Hume Cronyn |
Error: Was one of "three" Cronyn children.
Correction: He was one of five Cronyn kids.
Some sources erroneously report actor Hume Cronyn was
one of "three" children born to Hume Cronyn, Sr. and
Frances Labatt. In his 1991 autobiography, Hume confirms
he was actually one of five Cronyn kids.
Error: Won an Emmy Award for the 1991 television movie,
Christmas on Division Street.
Correction: The multi-Emmy award-winning actor was nominated,
but did not win for that particular TV-movie.
Several reports, including a couple of his obituaries,
erroneously report he won an Emmy Award for his work
opposite Fred Savage in the 1991 television movie,
Christmas on Division Street. He was certainly
nominated for an Emmy in the category of outstanding
supporting actor in a miniseries or special, but did
not win for that TV-movie.
For in-depth details on Hume and the source information
utilized for these error corrections, visit our biographical
profile of Hume Cronyn. | |
| John Sheldon Doud Eisenhower |
Error: He died back in the 1960s.
Correction: He led a productive life several decades
beyond that point in time.
A few sources erroneously report author
and former first family member John Sheldon
Doud Eisenhower died back in the 1960s. In
actuality, John was very much alive several
decades beyond that point.
Error: He married Barbara Jean Thompson "July 10, 1947."
Correction: They married June 10th, 1947.
Some sources erroneously report John S. D.
Eisenhower married Barbara Jean Thompson
"July 10, 1947," instead of the correct date
of June 10th, 1947. Not only have
members of the Eisenhower family confirmed
the June 10th marriage date in their memoirs,
but Time magazine also provided coverage of
their marriage in its June 23rd, 1947 issue.
For in-depth details on Mr. Eisenhower and the source
information utilized for these error corrections, visit
our biographical profile of John Eisenhower. | |
| Betty Ford |
Error: She was born "April 18, 1918."
Correction: She was actually born April 8, 1918.
"April 18, 1918" is erroneously reported as
Mrs. Ford's date of birth by some sources. She
was actually born April 8, 1918, at 3:46 p.m.,
in Chicago, Illinois. This is the d.o.b. the former
First Lady reports as her birth date in her 1978
autobiography, Betty Ford: The Times of My Life.
Error: Her father committed suicide.
Correction: Her father's death was accidental.
A few sources erroneously report her father committed
suicide. Mrs. Ford specifically addresses the fact
that her father's death was accidental in her
autobiography: "Then, the year I was sixteen, my father
died of carbon monoxide poisoning. He had gone out to
the garage to work on the car; it was a summer day, very
overcast, very humid. The garage doors were open, he had
the engine running, and he'd got under the car to fiddle
with something. A couple of friends from Detroit had
stopped by the house to visit and Mother went out to the
garage to get Dad to come in, and she found him. The
ignition was on, but the motor wasn't running any more.
The car must have run out of gas, and the air was so
heavy."
Error: Her mother's name is spelled "Hortence."
Correction: Hortense is the proper spelling.
Note: Her mother's first name is spelled Hortense, not
"Hortence" as a couple of sources erroneously report.
Again, the former First Lady herself reports Hortense
is the proper spelling of her mother's name in her
autobiography.
For in-depth details on Mrs. Ford and the source
information utilized for these error corrections,
visit our biographical profile of Betty Ford. | |
| President Gerald R. Ford |
Error: His biological father was born in either
"1881," "1882" or "1886."
Correction: Leslie Lynch King, Sr. was born July 25, 1884.
A number of sources erroneously report that
President Ford's biological father was born
in either 1881, 1882 or 1886. Government
records confirm Leslie Lynch King, Sr. was
born July 25, 1884.
For in-depth details on the 38th President of
the United States and the source information
utilized for this error correction, visit our
biographical profile of Gerald R. Ford. | |
| Ned Harrigan |
Error: He was born in "1845."
Correction: He was born October 26th, 1844,
at 34 Scammel Street, in New York City, New York, U.S.A.
A number of sources, including some editions of
the Encyclopedia Britannica©, erroneously
report "1845" as the year of Ned Harrigan's birth.
A few sources also report the incorrect street
address of "31 Scammel Street" for the actor/singer/comedian's
birth. In actuality, the Harrigan family didn't move
across the street to 31 Scammel until a year after
Ned made his debut in the world. Note that Scammel
Street later ceased to exist when it was swallowed
up by a public school playground. Also be aware
that some government records (including some census
records) erroneously spell their family name "Harigan"
and also "Harrington."
Error: His son, William Harrigan, was born in "1893" or "1894."
Correction: He was actually born in 1886.
His son, William Harrigan, was not born in 1893
or 1894 as most sources state. Government records
and family papers alike, confirm his 1886 birth.
For in-depth details about Mr. Harrigan and the source
information utilized for these error corrections, visit
our biographical profile of Ned Harrigan. | |
| Katharine Hepburn |
Error: She was born "November 8, 1909."
Correction: May 12, 1907, is her true date of birth.
An endless number of published reports erroneously
state actress Katharine Hepburn was born "November
8, 1909." She specifically addresses this issue
in her 1991 autobiography, Me: Stories of My Life,
and confirms May 12th, 1907 as her true date of
birth, not "November 8th, 1909."
Error: Her mother died in 1950.
Correction: Kate's mother actually died in 1951.
One biography erroneously reports Katharine
Hepburn's mother died in 1950. Kate specifically
addressed the death of her mother in her
autobiography, and confirms she actually
died in 1951.
Note: A few sources also misspell her name
"Katherine" Hepburn.
For more information about Ms. Hepburn and the
source information utilized for these error
corrections, visit our biographical profile of
Katharine Hepburn. | |
| Audrey Hepburn |
Error: She was born "Edda van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston."
Correction: She was actually born Audrey Kathleen Ruston.
Ms. Hepburn was not born "Edna," or
"Edda van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston" as many
biographies, encyclopedias, countless reference
books, and websites erroneously report.
Members of her family have addressed, at length,
the erroneous birth name attributed to her, (Her
mother briefly changed Audrey's name to Edda while
living in Nazi-occupied World War II Holland to
protect her from possible deportation).
They have also confirmed that Audrey Kathleen Ruston
is the name listed on her birth certificate.
NOTE: Many early Audrey Hepburn biographies
mistakenly claim Audrey's son Sean Ferrer was born
on "January 17, 1960." In his biography of his mother,
Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit: A Son Remembers,
Sean Ferrer reports, "Most subsequent biographers
repeated this error of fact. Nevertheless, July, not
January 17, 1960, is the day that I was graced with
the honor of being born to this great woman."
For more information about Ms. Hepburn, visit
our profile of Audrey Hepburn. | |
| Billie Holiday | 0
Error: She was born Eleanora Gough,
Eleanora Fagan Gough, Eleanora Gough McKay, or
Eleanora Gough Harris.
Correction: Birth records show she was born Elinore Harris.
The overwhelming majority of reference sources
report that singer Billie Holiday was born
Eleanora Gough, Eleanora Fagan Gough, Eleanora
Gough McKay, or Eleanora Gough Harris. Birth
records show she was actually born Elinore
Harris. Her name is spelled "Elinore" on her
birth certificate, but some medical records
show her name as "Eleanor," while other medical
documents spell it "Elenoir." Billie's mother
did not marry Philip Gough until five years
after her birth. Additionally, Philip Gough
was not her biological father. Though
born Elinore Harris, she was almost always
referred to as Eleanora, until she took her
stage name.
Error: She was born in Baltimore, Maryland.
Correction: She was born April 7, 1915,
at Philadelphia General Hospital, in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Billie Holiday was most assuredly not born
"April 17th, 1915" as a couple of sources
report. She was not born in Baltimore,
Maryland, as most sources erroneously report.
Birth records clearly show she was born April
7th, 1915, at Philadelphia General Hospital,
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She certainly
was raised in Baltimore, but was not born
there. The birth data that appears above has
been confirmed by her birth certificate, hospital
records, and other government documents.
For more information about Ms. Holiday and the
source information utilized for these error corrections,
visit our biographical profile of Billie Holiday. | |
| Buddy Holly | 1
Error: He was born "Charles Hardin Holly."
Correction: His last name at birth was spelled Holley.
Several sources offer the misspelling "Charles
Hardin Holly" as music legend Buddy Holly's
name at birth. He was actually born Charles
Hardin Holley. The spelling change
from Holley to Holly didn't take place until
he received his first recording contract from
Decca Records in 1956. They had inadvertently
spelled his last name "Holly" and he kept it
that way for the remainder of his career.
NOTE: The 1958 marriage announcement that
appeared in the local Lubbock newspaper,
misspelled his name "Buddy Charles Halley."
Some editions of Chase's Calendar of Events
misspell Buddy's middle name "Harden."
For more information about this pioneering
singer/guitarist/songwriter and the source
information utilized for this error correction,
visit our biographical profile of Buddy Holly. | |
| Al Jolson | 2
Error: He was born in "Washington, D.C."
Correction: Al Jolson was born in Serednik or Srednik (now Seredzius),
Lithuania. He was later raised, in Washington, D.C.,
but was not born there, as some early
editions of Who's Who in America erroneously report.
Error: His fourth marriage took place in "Quartzite,"
Arizona.
Correction: It's actually spelled Quartzsite,
Arizona.
A couple of sources mistakenly report he married
his fourth wife at "Quartzite," Arizona. The name
of the town in which they exchanged their vows
is spelled Quartzsite, Arizona.
For in-depth details on this actor/singer and the
source information utilized for these error corrections,
visit our biographical profile of Al Jolson. | |
| Angela Lansbury | 3
Error: She was born in "1926" in "New York."
Correction: She was actually born October 16,
1925, in London, England.
Actress Angela Lansbury was not born
in "1926" as some sources mistakenly claim,
nor was she born in "New York" as another
source erroneously reports. She was actually
born October 16, 1925, in London, England.
For more information on Ms. Lansbury and the source
information utilized for this error correction, visit
our biographical profile of Angela Lansbury. | |
| Myrna Loy | 4
Error: She was born in "Raidersburg," Montana.
Correction: Her place of birth is spelled Radersburg,
Montana.
A number of sources, including the 1994
edition of Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia,
erroneously spell her place of birth "Raidersburg,"
Montana. It's actually spelled Radersburg,
Montana.
Error: Her fourth husband's last name was "Sergeant."
Correction: Myrna Loy confirms it's spelled Sargeant.
The last name of her fourth husband is spelled
Sargeant, not "Sergeant" as many sources
report. Myrna Loy confirms this fact several
times throughout her 1987 autobiography,
Myrna Loy: Being and Becoming.
Error: The actress died "Dec. 15, 1993."
Correction: She passed away December 14th,
1993, at 6:22 p.m., at Lenox Hill Hospital,
in New York City, New York.
The 1994 edition of Leonard Maltin's Movie
Encyclopedia erroneously reports actress Myrna
Loy died "Dec. 15, 1993." Obituaries and her
death certificate clearly show she died December
14th, 1993, at 6:22 p.m., at Lenox Hill
Hospital, in New York City, New York.
For more information on Ms. Loy and the
source information utilized for these error
corrections, visit our biographical profile of Myrna Loy. | |
| Charles Manson | 5
Error: He was born "November 11."
Correction: Both Charles Manson and his birth records
confirm he was born November 12, 1934.
A number of sources mistakenly report
notorious criminal Charles Manson was born
"November 11." His birth certificate on
file with the Ohio Department of Health,
Division of Vital Statistics, clearly
shows his date of birth as Nov. 12, 1934.
To be precise, he was born November 12th,
1934, at 4:40 p.m., at Cincinnati General
Hospital, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Be aware
that some of his arrest records mistakenly
show the erroneous "November 11" date of
birth. Also, his middle name is not spelled
"Mills" as a couple of sources mistakenly
claim. Note that some of the early newspaper
accounts of the Tate-LaBianca murders misspell
his middle name "Miles." Manson's middle name
is actually Milles.
NOTE: The hospital made a typographical
error when supplying his birth data to
the government, offering the misspelling
"Moddox" instead of the properly spelled
Maddox. So this misspelling appears on the
aforementioned birth certificate.
For more information on Charles Manson and the
source information utilized for this error
correction, visit our biographical profile of
Charles Manson. | |
| Kevin Payne | 6
Error: Professional boxer Kevin Payne died
in the ring during his final fight.
Correction: The fight took place Saturday, March
18, 2006, at The Centre in Evansville, Indiana.
He actually died the next day, March 19, 2006,
at 2 p.m., at Deaconess Hospital, in Evansville,
Indiana, of a brain injury sustained in the
professional boxing match.
For more information about this boxer, visit
our biographical profile of Kevin Payne | |
| Albert Pick, Jr. | 7
Error: His 50th wedding anniversary occurred
in "1970."
Correction: Albert Pick, Jr. and his wife Corinne
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary December 27th,
1967.
Some sources erroneously report businessman Albert Pick, Jr.
and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in
"1970." In point of fact, it was December 27th, 1967, that
the hotel executive and his wife Corinne celebrated that
milestone.
For in-depth details on Mr. Pick and the source
information utilized for this error correction,
visit our biographical profile of Albert Pick, Jr. | |
| Russell Sage | 8
Error: He was born in "Shenandoah, New York."
Correction: Russell Sage was born August 4, 1816,
in Verona, New York.
A few sources erroneously report "Scanandoah,
New York" or "Shenandoah, New York" as the
birthplace of Russell Sage. In 1899, the business
titan and railroad tycoon specifically addressed
his birth in a New York Times article: "They
have, I see, got out a pleasant enough story
about my having been born at Shenandoah . . . but
this is wrong. My parents Elisha and Prudence Sage
were well settled at Verona, two miles from the
Oneida Castle when I was born . . ."
For in-depth details on Mr. Sage and the source
information utilized for this error correction,
visit our biographical profile of Russell Sage. | |
| Jessica Savitch | 9
Error: She was born "February 2"
in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Correction: Jessica Savitch was born February 1,
1947, at 11:51 a.m., at Delaware Hospital,
in Wilmington, Delaware.
NBC News journalist Jessica Savitch was raised
in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, but was not
born there as the overwhelming majority of
sources erroneously report. Birth records
confirm her birth took place at Delaware
Hospital, in Wilmington, Delaware.
NOTE: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania is just a
couple of miles north of the Pennsylvania-Delaware
border, and is a little more than 10 miles
from Wilmington.
Also note that as Jessica approached age 30,
she shaved a year off her age, erroneously
reporting "1948" as her year of birth.
Error: She died "October 24."
Correction: Jessica died October 23, 1983,
at 7:20 p.m., in the Delaware Canal, near the
Chez Odette restaurant, 274 South River Road,
New Hope, Pennsylvania.
The Encyclopedia Britannica© Book of the Year 1984,
reports not only the incorrect place of birth for
Jessica Savitch, but also erroneously reports her
date of death as "October 24." In reality, she
died Sunday evening, October 23rd, 1983.
For more information on Ms. Savitch and the
source information utilized for these error
corrections, visit our biographical profile of
Jessica Savitch. | |
| Alan Shepard | 0
Error: American astronaut Alan Shepard died in
Pebble Beach, California on July 22, 1998.
Correction: He passed away July 21st, 1998,
at 7:30 p.m., at Community Hospital of the
Monterey Peninsula, in Monterey, California.
Some of the earliest newpaper reports of
his death carried the erroneous data. | |
| Governor William Stephens | 1
Error: California Governor William Stephens was
born December 18th, 1859, and died April 24, 1944.
Correction: The 24th Governor of California and
3-term U.S. Congressman was born December 26,
1859, in Eaton, Ohio. He died of a heart ailment,
April 25, 1944, at Santa Fe Hospital, in Los
Angeles, California.
For more information about Gov. Stephens and the source
information utilized for these error corrections, visit
our biographical profile of Governor William D. Stephens. | |
| George Takei | 2
Error: He was born in "1939," or "1940."
Correction: George Takei confirms he was born
April 20, 1937.
Several sources erroneously report Star Trek
actor George Takei was born in "1939," while
others mistakenly claim "1940" was his year
of birth. There are also a few erroneous
reports regarding his name.
George specifically addressed his name,
and date of birth in his 1994 autobiography,
To the Stars: The Autobiography of George Takei.
"But they knew joy again at the birth of
a healthy boy on April 20, 1937. This baby,
so precious after the loss of their firstborn,
became the center of their lives, the most
important being in their world. He needed
a fitting name. To them, this baby was as
great as a prime minister, even a king. As
an Anglophile, an admirer of things English,
my father therefore had a choice between
Neville and George. He and Fumiko Emily -
whom he had decided to call "Mama" from then
on, and she would call him "Daddy" - settled
on the royal choice. The baby was named George,
for King George VI of England. They
chose Hosato, Japanese for "Village of the
Bountiful Harvest," for his Japanese middle
name."
For more information about Mr. Takei, visit our
biographical profile of George Takei. | |
| Lew Wasserman | 3
Error: He was born "Lewis Robert Wasserman"
on "March 15, 1913."
Correction: His name at birth was Louis Robert Wasserman,
and he was born March 22, 1913, at 6:42 a.m.,
on Woodland Avenue, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Nearly every reference source on the planet
and most of his obituaries, erroneously report
"March 15, 1913" as pioneering movie mogul
Lew Wasserman's date of birth. Many also
mistakenly state "Lewis Robert Wasserman"
was his name at birth. This is one instance
where sloppy data entry, or poor research
is not to blame. Lew Wasserman himself
reported the 15th as his birthday, but this
simply is not true. During his high school
days, Wasserman puzzled classmates by changing
the spelling of his first name from Louis
to Lewis, and changed his date of birth from
the actual date of March 22nd, to the fabricated
date of "March 15," which he continued to give
for the rest of his life. Some of his classmates
have speculated that the 15th carried more
historical mystique for him. In truth, he was
born March 22, 1913, at 6:42 a.m., on Woodland
Avenue, in Cleveland, Ohio.
For more information about Mr. Wasserman and
the source information utilized for this error
correction, visit our biographical profile of Lew Wasserman. | |
| J. Madison Wright | 4
Error: She was married in "London, England."
Correction: Maddie and Brent Joseph Morris were
married at the Corinth Baptist Church in London,
Laurel County, Kentucky.
A couple of sources erroneously report
Earth 2 actress J. Madison Wright was
married in "London, England." In reality,
she was married at the Corinth Baptist
Church in London, Laurel County, Kentucky.
For more information about J. Madison Wright, visit our
biographical profile of J. Madison Wright. | |
| Malcolm X | 5
Error: He was born at "3448 Pinkney Street," in Omaha, Nebraska.
Correction: Malcolm X was born May 19th, 1925,
at 10:25 p.m., at University Hospital,
in Omaha, Nebraska.
A number of sources mistakenly report
Civil Rights activist Malcolm X was born
at his boyhood home at "3448 Pinkney Street"
(later, 34th and Evans Street), in Omaha,
Nebraska. Although he certainly did live
at that address with his family for a
short time, his birth certificate clearly
shows he was not born there. He
was born May 19th, 1925, at 10:25 p.m.,
at University Hospital, in Omaha, Nebraska.
Malcolm himself confirms this date and
place of birth in The Autobiography of
Malcolm X.
For additional information about Malcolm X and
the source information utilized for this error
correction, visit our biographical profile of
Malcolm X. | |
| Mayor Sam Yorty | 6
Error: Los Angeles mayor Sam Yorty was married just once.
Correction: Mayor Yorty was married three times.
A number of sources erroneously report
three-term Los Angeles mayor Sam Yorty
was married just once. Some also claim
the marriage lasted from 1938 till his
death in 1998. Mayor Yorty's first wife
actually died in 1984, and that marriage
was followed by two more. He was also
widowed by his second wife, Gloria, and
then married a third and final time to
Valery King Yorty, who survived him.
For more information about Mr. Yorty, visit our
biographical profile of Sam Yorty. | |
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