flourished 12th century BC Prophet and heroine of the Hebrew scriptures. Her story is told in the book of Judges. With her general, Barak, she is credited with defeating the Canaanite armies led by Sisera. The Israelite victory over the Canaanites, which was aided by a thunderstorm that Israel saw as the coming of God from Mount Sinai, was celebrated in the "Song of Deborah" (Judges 5), possibly the earliest portion of the Bible
orig. Deborah Jane Kerr-Trimmer born Sept. 30, 1921, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, Scot. Scottish actress. After performing in British films such as Major Barbara (1940) and Black Narcissus (1947), she moved to Hollywood, where she was often cast in prim roles, though her part in From Here to Eternity (1953) was a departure from her ladylike image. Known for the poise and serenity she exhibited in portraying complex characters, she appeared in later films including The King and I (1956), Tea and Sympathy (1956), Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957), Separate Tables (1958), The Sundowners (1960), and The Night of the Iguana (1964). She retired from the screen in 1969. She received a special Academy Award in 1994