Louise Abbéma, Édouard Louis, Ramón Novarro

Born: Louise Abbéma (1853), Édouard Louis (1992)
Died: Ramón Novarro (1968)

Born on this day

A Belle Époque painter who was Sarah Bernhardt’s lover and friend for decades – and painted her again and again.

His autobiographical writing connects the experience of growing up gay with class, violence and the political shaping of family life.

Hollywood’s “Latin lover” of the silent era played Ben-Hur – and had to hide that he loved men.