Elise was happy in her big sleepUntil the mad dog’s growlingAwoke it’s bearded master. Ludwig van Beethoven, German composer, died today in 1827. Walt Whitman, American poet, and journalist, died on this day in 1892. Raymond Chandler, British – American author, died on this day in 1959. Noël Coward, English playwright, died today in 1973.