Discover the most famous people who died on February 1. The list includes people like Mary Shelley, Werner Heisenberg, Shah Jahan, Buster Keaton, Piet Mondrian. Famous personalities featured on this list, include astronauts, physicists, actors and political leaders and from other domains of life. This list includes people from United States, Germany, United Kingdom & India and many more countries.
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1
Mary Shelley(British Author Best Known for Her Gothic Novel ‘Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus’)
Birthdate: August 30, 1797
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Somers Town, London, England
Died: 1851
An author who was admired for her exploration of the Gothic genre, Mary Shelley is best remembered for her novel Frankenstein. She also edited the works of her husband, Romantic poet P.B. Shelley. She lost her husband to a drowning accident and eventually passed away due to brain tumor.
2
Buster Keaton(Comedian, Actor and Filmmaker Known for His Deadpan Expressions, Which Earned Him the Nickname ‘The Great Stone Face’)
Birthdate: October 4, 1895
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Piqua, Kansas, United States
Died: 1966
Buster Keaton was an American comedian, filmmaker, actor, and stunt performer. Regarded as one of the greatest actor-directors of all time, Keaton was renowned for his physical comedy. Counted among the greatest stars of classic Hollywood cinema by the American Film Institute, Buster Keaton's films remain highly regarded. His 1926 film The General was admired by actors like Orson Welles.
Birthdate: December 27, 1975
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Santee, California, United States
Died: 1988
Child actor Heather O'Rourke is best remembered as Carol Anne Freeling from Steven Spielberg’s iconic horror film Poltergeist. Heather later appeared in two sequels of the film and a few series, including Webster. She suffered from Crohn’s disease and died at age 12, after a surgery to cure intestinal stenosis.
4
Werner Heisenberg(German Theoretical Physicist and One of the Main Pioneers of the Theory of Quantum Mechanics)
Birthdate: December 5, 1901
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Würzburg, Germany
Died: 1976
German theoretical physicist Werner Heisenberg is best known for pioneering quantum mechanics. He received the 1932 Nobel Prize in Physics. He had also helped Germany plan nuclear weapon strategies during World War II and was the director of what is now known as the Max Planck Institute for Physics.
5
Daniel Pearl(American Journalist Who Was Kidnapped and Later Decapitated by Terrorists in Pakistan)
Birthdate: October 10, 1963
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Princeton, New Jersey, United States
Died: 2002
Daniel Pearl was an American journalist who was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in Pakistan. He was kidnapped when he visited Pakistan to investigate the alleged links between Al-Qaeda and British citizen Richard Reid. Since his death, several institutions and schools have been named after him. His parents formed the Daniel Pearl Foundationin 2002 to continue his mission.
6
Kalpana Chawla(Indian-Born American Astronaut Who Was the First Woman of Indian Origin to Go to Space)
Birthdate: March 17, 1962
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Karnal, Haryana, India
Died: 2003
Astronaut Kalpana Chawla became the first Indian-origin woman to go to space in the 1997 STS-87 mission. She and the other crew members of the Space Shuttle Columbia STS-107 mission died when the shuttle exploded before reaching Earth. The Indian weather satellite MetSat-1 was renamed Kalpana-1 in her honor.
7
Ed Koch(105th Mayor of New York City)
Birthdate: December 12, 1924
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: 2013
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
Birthdate: January 5, 1592
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Lahore
Died: 1666
Shah Jahan, emperor Jahangir’s son, ruled as the fifth Mughal emperor, from 1628 to 1658. He is known for commissioning the Taj Mahal for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, among other contributions to Mughal architecture. He was put under house arrest by his son, Aurangzeb, during his final years.
9
Dennis Edwards(Singer)
Birthdate: February 3, 1943
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Fairfield, Alabama, United States
Died: 2018
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
10
Don Cornelius(Television show host)
Birthdate: September 27, 1936
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Died: 2012
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
11
John Vernon(Canadian Actor Best Known for His Films: ‘Animal House’, ‘Dirty Harry’ and ‘The Outlaw Josey Wales’)
Birthdate: February 24, 1932
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Zehner, Saskatchewan, Canada
Died: 2005
Born to Polish immigrants, Canadian actor John Vernon made waves in Hollywood with his roles of figures of authority, such as doctors and academics, in films. Known for films such as Animal House and Dirty Harry, he had also lent his voice to many series and video games.
Birthdate: May 2, 1885
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: 1966
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
Birthdate: March 10, 1846
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Springfield, Illinois, United States
Died: 1850
Birthdate: December 8, 1930
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: 2014
Maximilian Schell was an Austrian-born Swiss actor who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Hans Rolfe in the 1961 courtroom drama film, Judgment at Nuremberg. Remembered for his versatility, Schell received the Golden Globe Award for playing Vladimir Lenin in the 1992 TV film, Stalin. A multi-talented personality, Schell was also an accomplished conductor and pianist.
15
Clive Swift(Actor)
Birthdate: February 9, 1936
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Liverpool, England
Died: 2019
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
Birthdate: December 18, 1949
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Malvern, Arkansas, United States
Died: 1989
17
Friedrich Paulus(German Field Marshal Best Known for Commanding the 6th Army During the Battle of Stalingrad)
Birthdate: September 23, 1890
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Guxhagen, Germany
Died: 1957
Friedrich Paulus was a German field marshal who played a major role in World War II. He is best remembered for his role in the Battle of Stalingrad, where he commanded the 6th Army. As German General Staff's deputy chief, he also helped plan Operation Barbarossa, the code name for the invasion of the Soviet Union.
18
Richey Edwards(Lyricist and Rhythm Guitarist of the Alternative Rock Band Manic Street Preachers)
Birthdate: December 22, 1967
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Blackwood, Wales
Died: 1995
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
19
Angelo Dundee(Boxing Trainer)
Birthdate: August 30, 1921
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: 2012
20
William Desmond Taylor(Director and Actor Known for His Films: ‘The Diamond from the Sky’, ‘A Woman Scorned’ and ‘Ben Blair’)
Birthdate: April 26, 1872
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Carlow, Ireland
Died: 1922
Actor-director William Desmond Taylor, a popular figure from the silent era of Hollywood, made headlines when he was found murdered in his LA bungalow. The case, which initiated a media frenzy, remains unsolved to date due to lack of evidence, in spite of a deathbed confession from actor Patricia Palmer.
21
Augustus II the Strong(Elector of Saxony)
Birthdate: May 12, 1670
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dresden, Germany
Died: 1733
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
22
Marjorie Reynolds(American Actress Known for Her Role as 'Linda Mason' in the 1942 Musical Film 'Holiday Inn')
Birthdate: August 12, 1917
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Buhl, Idaho, United States
Died: 1997
Marjorie Reynolds was an American actress and dancer best known for her performance in the 1942 musical Holiday Inn which showcased her dancing skills. Also known for her contribution to the TV industry, Marjorie Reynolds has a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the television section.
23
Rick Husband(Astronaut)
Birthdate: July 12, 1957
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Amarillo, Texas, United States
Died: 2003
24
William C. McCool(NASA Astronaut and the Pilot of the Ill-Fated Space Shuttle Columbia Mission)
Birthdate: September 23, 1961
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: San Diego, California, United States
Died: 2003
American naval officer, aviator, and aeronautical engineer William C. McCool was a prominent NASA astronaut who served the STS-107 Space ShuttleColumbia mission as its pilot. He, along with the rest of crew, died when Columbia disintegrated while re-entering the atmosphere. He won many posthumous honors, such as the NASA Space Flight Medal.
25
Ilan Ramon(Fighter pilot)
Birthdate: June 20, 1954
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Ramat Gan, Israel
Died: 2003
26
Elisa Lam(Chinese-Canadian Tourist Who Was Found Dead in Los Angeles Cecil Hotel)
Birthdate: April 30, 1991
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Vancouver, Canada
Died: 2013
27
Laurel Clark(Medical Doctor)
Birthdate: March 10, 1961
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Ames, Iowa, United States
Died: 2003
Birthdate: March 1, 1324
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Dunfermline, Scotland
Died: 1371
David II of Scotland reigned as the king of Scotland from 1329 to 1371. He is credited with putting the Scottish monarchy in a strong position despite having to spend long periods in captivity or exile. Over the years, David II of Scotland has been depicted in several historical novels, such as Vagabond.
29
Wisława Szymborska(Polish Poet, Essayist, Translator and Winner of 1996 Nobel Prize in Literature)
Birthdate: July 2, 1923
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kórnik, Poland
Died: 2012
Wisława Szymborska was a Polish poet, essayist, and translator. In 1996, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for her poetry. Her works have been translated into numerous languages, including English, Arabic, Japanese, Hebrew, and Chinese. She also translated French literature, especially Baroque poetry, into Polish. She actively wrote until her death at the age of 88.
30
Michael P. Anderson(Officer, Astronaut, Physicist)
Birthdate: December 25, 1959
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Plattsburgh (city), New York
Died: 2003
Michael Phillip Anderson began his career with the United States Air Force, logging more than 3,000 hours of flight time before joining NASA. Selected as a mission specialist first on STS-89 Endeavour and then on STS-107 Columbia, he was killed along with the rest of the crew when the later disintegrated during its re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.
31
David M. Brown(Officer, Astronaut)
Birthdate: April 16, 1956
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Arlington County
Died: 2003
32
Edwin Howard Armstrong(American Electrical Engineer and Inventor, Who Developed FM Radio and the Superheterodyne Receiver System)
Birthdate: December 18, 1890
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Chelsea, New York, United States
Died: 1954
Edwin Howard Armstrong was an American inventor and electrical engineer. He is credited with developing the superheterodyne receiver system as well as the frequency modulation (FM) radio. During his illustrious career, Armstrong received several awards including the IEEE Medal of Honor, Franklin Medal, and Edison Medal. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1980.
Birthdate: August 13, 1819
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Skreen, Ireland
Died: 1903
Sir George Stokes, 1st Baronet was an Anglo-Irish physicist and mathematician. He studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and spent his entire career at the University of Cambridge as the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics. As a physicist, he made key contributions to fluid mechanics and physical optics. He received the Royal Society's Copley Medal in 1893.
34
Matthew Fontaine Maury(American Astronomer, Oceanographer, Meteorologist, Geologist and Naval Officer)
Birthdate: January 14, 1806
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Spotsylvania County, Virginia, United States
Died: 1873
American astronomer, naval officer, oceanographer and author Matthew Fontaine Maury, who first served the United States Navy and then the Confederacy States Navy, made significant contributions in oceanography. His book Physical Geography of the Sea is counted among the first comprehensive books on oceanography. Navies and merchant marines across the world adopted his uniform system of recording oceanographic data.
35
Luis Aragonés(Spanish Football Manager and Player)
Birthdate: July 28, 1938
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Madrid
Died: 2014
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
36
Barış Manço(Musician, Singer)
Birthdate: January 2, 1943
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Üsküdar, Istanbul, Turkey
Died: 1999
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
37
H. H. Asquith(Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1908 to 1916)
Birthdate: September 1, 1852
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Morley, England
Died: 1928
H. H. Asquith was an English politician and statesman best remembered for serving as the prime minister of the UK from 1908 to 1916. He was the last PM to command a majority government from the Liberal Party. Great Britain entered the First World War under his prime ministership, a move which is often criticized by modern-day critics and scholars.
38
Elaine de Kooning(Distinguished Landscape and Portrait Artist)
Birthdate: March 12, 1918
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: 1989
Elaine de Kooning, an accomplished landscape and portrait artist, remained active in Abstract Expressionist and Figurative Expressionist movements during post-Second World War era. Elaine admired artwork of Dutch-American abstract expressionist artist Willem de Kooning, her future husband, and honed her skills under his tutelage. Figure served as subject of representational portraiture for Elaine, who was perhaps best-known for her portraits.
39
Olan Soule(Actor)
Birthdate: February 28, 1909
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: La Harpe, Illinois, United States
Died: 1994
40
Shintaro Ishihara(Former Governor of Tokyo (1999 - 2012))
Birthdate: September 30, 1932
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Suma-ku, Kobe, Japan
Died: 2022
Apart from serving as the governor of Tokyo, Japanese right-wing politician Shintaro Ishihara has also been an accomplished writer. He wrote the Akutagawa Prize-winning novel Season of the Sun when he was still in school and later contributed to various plays and screenplays, too.
41
Gian Carlo Menotti(One of the Most Frequently Performed Opera Composers of the 20th Century)
Birthdate: July 7, 1911
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Cadegliano-Viconago, Italy
Died: 2007
Gian Carlo Menotti was an Italian-American librettist, playwright, director, and composer. Menotti is best remembered for composing popular operas that enjoyed success on Broadway during the 1950s. For his contribution to arts, Menotti was presented with a Kennedy Center Honor in 1984. In 1997, he was honored by the American Choral Directors Association with the prestigious Brock Commission.
42
Mongo Santamaría(Percussionist)
Birthdate: April 7, 1917
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Died: 2003
43
Jack Brisco(American Professional Wrestler)
Birthdate: September 21, 1941
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Seminole, Oklahoma, United States
Died: 2010
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
44
Robin Sachs(Actor)
Birthdate: February 5, 1951
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: London, UK
Died: 2013
45
Hans Richter(Artist and Filmmaker Known for His Role in the 'Dada Movement')
Birthdate: April 6, 1888
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Berlin, German
Died: 1976
German artist and filmmaker Hans Richter was initially associated with the Blaue Reiter and later inspired by Cubism. He made a significant impact on Dadaism. A Jew, he fled the Nazi regime by escaping first to the Soviet Union, then to Switzerland, and then finally to the US.
46
Alva Myrdal(Swedish Politician and Sociologist & Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1982)
Birthdate: January 31, 1902
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Uppsala, Sweden
Died: 1986
Alva Myrdal was a Swedish politician, diplomat, and sociologist. She played a major role during the disarmament movement in Sweden, for which she was honored with the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 1982. She also chaired the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute after playing a key role in its creation. Throughout her career, Myrdal was honored with many prestigious awards.
47
Gustav Knuth(German Actor)
Birthdate: July 7, 1901
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Braunschweig, Germany
Died: 1987
Gustav Knuth was a German actor who appeared in over 120 movies between 1935 and 1982. Some of his best-known films include My Daughter and I, You Don't Shoot at Angels, and That Can Happen to Anyone. Gustav Knuth also played an important role in the TV series Alle meine Tiere.
48
William Sterndale Bennett(Composer)
Birthdate: April 13, 1816
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Sheffield, Yorkshire, England
Died: 1875
49
Frank Worsley(Sailor, Explorer)
Birthdate: February 22, 1872
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Akaroa, New Zealand
Died: 1943
Birthdate: October 22, 1881
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bloomington, Illinois, United States
Died: 1958
