Gladys Bentley, Radclyffe Hall, John Cage, Thomas Mann
Born: Gladys Bentley (1907), Radclyffe Hall (1880)
Died: John Cage (1992), Thomas Mann (1955)
Born on this day
12AugBorn 1907119th birthday
Gladys Bentley
A Harlem blues performer whose tuxedo, piano playing and desire for women challenged the rules of her time.
12AugBorn 1880146th birthdayRadclyffe Hall
The author of “The Well of Loneliness” wrote the most famous lesbian novel of her time – and saw it banned in Britain.
Died on this day
12AugDied 199234th anniversary of death
John Cage
The composer of “4′33″” – four and a half minutes of silence – shared his life and work for fifty years with the choreographer Merce Cunningham.
12AugDied 195571st anniversary of deathThomas Mann
The Nobel laureate of “Buddenbrooks” and “Death in Venice” was a married father of six – and his diaries reveal a lifelong desire for men.