Origins & Early Life

James Benson Irwin (March 17, 1930 – August 8, 1991) was an American astronaut, aeronautical engineer, test pilot, and a United States Air Force pilot. He served as Lunar Module pilot for Apollo 15, the fourth human lunar landing. He was the 8th person to walk on the Moon. James Benson Irwin was born March 17, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to James William Irwin, a U.S.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Army veteran of World War I, and Elsa Mathilda Irwin (née Strebel). Irwin's paternal grandparents emigrated to the U.S. from Altmore Parish in Pomeroy, County Tyrone, Ireland (now Northern Ireland) around 1859. In 1941, Irwin lived at 6006 Grand Boulevard in New Port Richey, Florida, and attended Pierce Elementary School (today the site of the New Port Richey Public Library and City Hall). While he was in the sixth grade, Irwin was also enrolled in seventh grade classes at Gulf High School due to his advanced aptitude.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He is listed as a seventh grader in the 1942 Gulf High School yearbook. Throughout his life, Irwin frequently returned to New Port Richey, where he was a member of and attended the First Baptist Church. At about the age of 12, he informed his mother about his desire...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alfred von Tirpitz — Contemporary (Died in 1930) (1930): Architect of the modern German battle fleet and naval expansionist.
• Alfred Wegener — Contemporary (Died in 1930) (1930): Pioneering geophysicist known for proposing the theory of continental drift.
• Ali al-Sistani — Contemporary (Born in 1930) (1930): Leading Twelver Shia Islamic scholar and Grand Ayatollah of Najaf, Iraq.
• Abby Stein — Contemporary (Born in 1991) (1991): Israeli-American author, rabbi, and activist who speaks on faith and gender identity.
• Almaz Ayana — Contemporary (Born in 1991) (1991): Ethiopian long-distance runner known for Olympic and World Championship success.
• Amadou Hampâté Bâ — Contemporary (Died in 1991) (1991): Malian writer, historian, and ethnologist championing Africa's oral traditions.
• Bayard Rustin — Shared historical date (03-17 · Born) (1912): Pioneering organizer of nonviolence, civil rights, and socialist movements.
• Betty Williams — Shared historical date (03-17 · Died) (2020): Northern Irish peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
• A'ja Wilson — Shared historical date (08-08 · Born) (1996): Elite American WNBA star known for multiple MVP awards and championship success.
• Anita Włodarczyk — Shared historical date (08-08 · Born) (1985): Polish hammer thrower, world record holder, and Olympic champion.
• 1930 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1930
• March 17 (03-17) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 17
• 1991 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1991
• August 8 (08-08) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on August 8