HistoryData

Famous Birthdays on August 15

14 notable people were born on August 15.

August 15 is the birth date of several historical figures from different centuries and regions. Notable individuals born on this day include French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1769, Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott in 1771, Haitian Emperor Faustin Soulouque in 1782, Indian philosopher Sri Aurobindo Ghosh in 1872, and Panamanian president Arnulfo Arias in 1901. These individuals made contributions in military leadership, literature, politics, and philosophy across the world.

18th Century3 people

Walter Scott

Walter Scott

1771 – 1832

Scottish historical novelist and poet who created the historical fiction genre with works like "Ivanhoe" and "Rob Roy." His novels popularized Scottish history and culture throughout Europe and influenced the Romantic movement.

linguistliterary criticmusicologistUnited Kingdom
Napoleon

Napoleon

1769 – 1821

French military genius who conquered much of continental Europe and served as Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1814.

army officerart collectormilitantFrance
Faustin Soulouque

Faustin Soulouque

1782 – 1867

Haitian military leader who served as President of Haiti from 1847 to 1849 and then declared himself Emperor Faustin I, ruling until his overthrow in 1859.

politicianHaiti

19th Century1 person

Aurobindo Ghosh

Aurobindo Ghosh

1872 – 1950

Philosopher, poet, and spiritual leader who developed Integral Yoga and founded the international community of Auroville. He was also a freedom fighter in his early years before dedicating his life to spiritual evolution and human consciousness.

essayistliterary criticphilosopherIndia

20th Century10 people

Abiy Ahmed

Abiy Ahmed

1976

Ethiopian Prime Minister since 2018 who won the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to achieve peace with neighboring Eritrea.

military personnelministerpoliticianEthiopia
Alejandro González Iñárritu

Alejandro González Iñárritu

1963

Mexican film director who won consecutive Academy Awards for Best Director for Birdman (2014) and The Revenant (2015).

composerfilm directorfilm editorMexico

Stieg Larsson

1954 – 2004

Swedish journalist and author who created the bestselling Millennium trilogy, featuring the character Lisbeth Salander, published posthumously starting in 2005.

editorjournalistscreenwriterSweden
Khaleda Zia

Khaleda Zia

1946 – 2025

Bangladeshi politician who served as Prime Minister during two terms (1991-1996, 2001-2006) and was the widow of former President Ziaur Rahman. She died in 2025.

politicianBangladesh
Óscar Romero

Óscar Romero

1917 – 1980

Archbishop of San Salvador from 1977 until his assassination in 1980, canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 2018 for his advocacy for human rights and the poor.

Latin Catholic priestEl Salvador
Lương Cường

Lương Cường

1957

Vietnamese general and politician who has served as President of Vietnam since October 2024. He previously held senior positions in the Ministry of Public Security and the Communist Party's Central Committee.

military leaderpoliticianVietnam
Vladimir Petković

Vladimir Petković

1963

Former midfielder turned manager who coached the Swiss national team and has managed clubs across Europe including Lazio.

association football coachassociation football playerBosnia And Herzegovina
Clinton Njie

Clinton Njie

1993

Cameroonian winger who has played for Tottenham Hotspur and represents the Cameroon national team.

association football playerCameroon
Arnulfo Arias

Arnulfo Arias

1901 – 1988

Panamanian physician and politician who served three separate terms as president between 1940 and 1968.

physicianpoliticianPanama
Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum

1943 – 2006

Ruled Dubai from 1990 to 2006 and served as Prime Minister of the UAE, initiating major economic diversification and infrastructure projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the most famous person born on August 15?
Napoleon Bonaparte, born on August 15, 1769, is widely considered the most famous person born on this date. The French military leader and emperor shaped European history through his conquests and political reforms.
What famous authors were born on August 15?
Walter Scott, the Scottish novelist and poet, was born on August 15, 1771. He is known for historical novels like Ivanhoe and Rob Roy, which helped popularize the historical fiction genre.
Are there any political leaders born on August 15?
Yes, several political figures were born on August 15, including Napoleon Bonaparte (1769), Faustin Soulouque, Emperor of Haiti (1782), and Arnulfo Arias, President of Panama (1901). These leaders influenced their nations' histories.