Margaret Yorke aka Margaret Beda Nicholson

Crime novelist -- via the Telegraph.

Vladka Meed aka Feigele Peltel

A member of Warsaw's Jewish underground; later, a key Holocaust educator -- via the New York Times.

Bryce Courtenay

Novelist -- via the New York Times.

Elena Donaldson-Akhmilovskaya

Chess grandmaster -- via the New York Times.

Earl "Speedo" Carroll

Doo-wop vocalist -- via the New York Daily News. Best known as the singer of their biggest hit, "Speedo," Carroll ang with the group off and on for five decades, with some stints as a member of the Coasters as well.

The Cadillacs were the group that really helped doo-wop and R & B crossover to white listeners. They also pioneered the use of flashy matching stage ensembles and choreography.