Margalit Fox's Blog, page 28

Phyllis R. Klotman, Scholar and Archivist of African-American Cinema, Dies at 90

Professor Klotman, an emeritus professor in the department of African American and African Diaspora Studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, established the Black Film Center/Archive.

Andrew Porter, New Yorker Classical Music Critic, Dies at 86

Mr. Porter, who also pieced together a restored version of “Don Juan,” directed operas as well, and translated librettos from the many languages he knew.

Carlos Falchi, 70, Dies; Turned Exotic Animal Skins Into Coveted Handbags

A self-taught artisan from Brazil built a fashion empire from hand-sewn leather clothing and handbags made from the skins of exotic animals, including anacondas, caimans and ostriches.

Carlos Falchi, Who Turned Exotic Animal Skins Into Coveted Handbags, Dies at 70

A self-taught artisan from Brazil built a fashion empire from hand-sewn leather clothing and handbags made from the skins of exotic animals, including anacondas, caimans and ostriches.

Gary Dahl, Inventor of the Pet Rock, Dies at 78

The 1975 fad made Mr. Dahl, a down-at-the-heels advertising copywriter when he hit on the idea, a millionaire practically overnight, but he came to regret the brainstorm that gave rise to it in the first place.

Izola Ware Curry, Who Stabbed King in 1958, Dies at 98

In 1958, she stabbed the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at a Harlem book signing — an episode that a decade later would become a rhetorical touchstone in the last oration of his life.

Buddy Elias, Cousin of Anne Frank and Guardian of Her Legacy, Dies at 89

Mr. Elias was the closest living relative of Anne Frank, and his house yielded a cache of long-forgotten letters from Anne and her family that formed the basis of a recent book.

Patrick McDarby, Sport Logo Designer, Is Dead at 57

Mr. McDarby’s designs included images for Major League Soccer, the New York Rangers, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Villanova Wildcats.

Brian Sutton-Smith, Scholar of What’s Fun, Dies at 90

Professor Sutton-Smith sought to answer fundamental questions: What is play? Why do human beings engage in it? What psychological, cognitive and cultural functions does it serve?

Dell Williams, Founder of Sex Boutique, Dies at 92

Ms. Williams started Eve’s Garden, widely described as the nation’s first sex shop catering to women, after an embarrassing experience buying a vibrator at a department store.