John Lennon, born in Liverpool on Oct. 9, 1940, earned worldwide fame when he created the Beatles. Throughout his life, Lennon became known as a peace activist, artist, poet and philosopher, while still writing and recording seminal music. The former Beatle's life was cut short on Dec. 8, 1980, in New York City when crazed fan Mark David Chapman shot him outside his apartment. He was 40. Take a look back at the music legend's life in photos.

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