The writer of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” Julia Ward Howe was born on this day in 1819. She was an interesting woman. I recommend checking out the This American Life episode Lost in America. The third part of it is “Teacher Hit Me with a Ruler,” which is a history of “Battle Hymn” by Sarah Vowell. It’s a lot of fun. The whole episode is.

In 1837, Wild Bill Hickok was born. He didn’t live long. Also that year, the leader the of Russian democratic art movement and great painter Ivan Kramskoi was born. Author Dashiell Hammett was born in 1894. And Vincent Price was born in 1911.

Actor Christopher Lee (who is still working) is 91 today. One of the great villains of the last 20th century, Henry Kissinger is 90. Author John Barth in 83. Science fiction writer Harlan Ellison is 79. And the great Bruce Cockburn is 68. Here he is doing one of my favorite songs:

But the day belongs to biologist Rachel Carson who was born on this day in 1907. In 1962, she published Silent Spring about the dangers of pesticide use. But more important, it is the book that launched the modern environmental movement. Unfortunately, Carson did not live to see much of the effect of her work. She died two years later due to complications from breast cancer.

Happy birthday Rachel Carson!