17 historically significant individuals born on August 26. August 26 is the birth date of several influential historical figures. Notable individuals born on this day include French chemist Antoine Lavoisier (1743), who transformed modern chemistry, and Mother Teresa (1910), the humanitarian known for her work with the poor in Calcutta and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. The date also marks the birth of Argentine writer Julio Cortázar (1914) and South Korean president Yun Po-sun (1897), along with other contributors to science, literature, and public service.
Total Born
17
Countries
10
Top Century
20th· 8
Top Field
politician
5 individuals
Headline Figures
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (8)
19th (5)
18th (4)
18th C.20th C.
20th Century
8Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Thalía
composerfilm actor
Mexican singer and actress known as the 'Queen of Latin Pop' who achieved international success with telenovelas and albums selling over 25 million records worldwide.
Julio Cortázar pem
writer
Influential Argentine writer and translator best known for his experimental short stories and the novel "Hopscotch."
Mother Teresa
missionarynun
Albanian-Indian Catholic nun and missionary (1910–1997)
Sri Mulyani Indrawati
economistpolitician
Indonesian economist and Finance Minister who previously served as Managing Director of the World Bank and is recognized for her expertise in public finance.
Mehriban Alieva
ophthalmologistpolitician
Trained ophthalmologist who serves as Vice President of Azerbaijan and First Lady, making her one of the few spouses of world leaders to hold executive government office.
Edward Lowassa
ministerpolitician
Former Prime Minister of Tanzania (2005-2008) who later became a prominent opposition politician and presidential candidate in 2015.
Zemfira
composerpoet
Russian rock singer-songwriter known for her poetic lyrics and alternative rock style, who gained prominence in the late 1990s. She is considered one of Russia's most influential contemporary musicians.
Prem Tinsulanonda
military personnelpolitician
Former Regent of Thailand (1920-2019)
19th Century
5Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
James Franck
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physics (1925)
Charles Richet
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1913)
Édouard Laferrière
jurist-consultantmagistrate
French jurist-consultant and lawyer (1841-1901)
William Ivey
academic administratorscientist
New Zealand agricultural scientist and director (1838-1892)
Yun Po-sun
journalistpolitician
South Korean journalist and politician who served as the second President of South Korea from 1960 to 1962 following the April Revolution that toppled Syngman Rhee's government.
18th Century
4Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Antoine Lavoisier
academicadministrator
French nobleman and chemist (1743–1794)
Joseph-Michel Montgolfier
industrialistinventor
French inventor, older of the 18th-century Montgolfier brothers
Johann Heinrich Lambert
astronomermathematician
German mathematician, physicist and astronomer (1728-1777)
Jean-Baptiste L. Romé de l'Isle
crystallographergeologist
French geologist
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on August 26?
Mother Teresa, born on August 26, 1910, is often regarded as the most famous person born on this date. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her humanitarian work with the poor in Calcutta, India.
What scientists were born on August 26?
Antoine Lavoisier, born on August 26, 1743, is known as the father of modern chemistry. He worked on the conservation of mass and named oxygen and hydrogen.
Are there any famous writers born on August 26?
Yes, Julio Cortázar, the Argentine writer and translator, was born on August 26, 1914. He is known for his short stories and novels that influenced Latin American literature.