February 15 - Author Michael Crichton signed a new two book deal with HarperCollins Publishers reportedly earning $40 million for the two books.
July 20 - London, England: After being found guilty of two counts of perjury and two of perverting the course of justice, a shackled Lord Jeffrey Archer is taken to Belmarsh jail in a van, seated next to a convicted knife murderer.
... inventor of the Periodic table
May 19 - Auguste Molinier, French historian
July 14 - Anton Chekhov, Russian playwright and short story writer
July 22 - Wilson ...