15 historically significant individuals born on December 16. December 16 marks the birth of several notable historical figures in various fields, including royalty, literature, and cinema. Catherine of Aragon, born in 1485, was King Henry VIII's first wife. Belgian monarch Leopold I was born in 1790. Philosopher George Santayana arrived in 1863. Renowned science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke was born in 1917, and Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann in 1938.
Total Born
15
Countries
10
Top Century
20th· 8
Top Field
aristocrat
2 individuals
Headline Figures
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (8)
19th (3)
15th C.20th C.
20th Century
8Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Adam G. Riess
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physics (2011)
Albert Tavkhelidze
nuclear physicistphysicist
Georgian physicist (1930-2010)
Arthur C. Clarke
explorerfuturist
Science fiction author who wrote '2001: A Space Odyssey' and formulated Clarke's three laws, including that 'any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.'
Benny Andersson
executive producerorganist
Swedish musician and composer best known as a member of ABBA and for co-creating the musicals Chess, Mamma Mia!, and Kristina från Duvemåla.
Zara Larsson
actordancer
Swedish pop singer who gained international recognition with hits like "Lush Life" and "Never Forget You" after winning Talang in 2008 at age 10.
Stanislav Šesták
association football coachassociation football player
Slovak striker who scored over 100 career goals and later transitioned into coaching after his playing career.
Liv Ullmann
autobiographerfilm actor
Norwegian actress and film director who starred in many Ingmar Bergman films and received multiple Academy Award nominations.
Mame Biram Diouf
association football player
Forward who played for Manchester United and Stoke City, representing Senegal in World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
19th Century
3Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
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Victor Chauvin
historianorientalist
Professor, writer (1844–1913)
George Santayana
essayistnovelist
Spanish-American philosopher and writer known for his aphorism "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" and his influential work on aesthetics and culture.
Henri-Raymond Casgrain
criticessayist
Canadian historian (1831-1904)
18th Century
2Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Leopold I of Belgium
aristocratmilitary personnel
German prince who became the first King of the Belgians (1790–1865)
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George Whitefield
Christian ministerpreacher
English minister and preacher
17th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Erik Benzelius the Elder
church historianpriest
Swedish bishop
15th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Catherine of Aragon
aristocratdiplomat
First wife of Henry VIII of England (1485–1536)
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Discover historical events and other data for this day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on December 16?
Arthur C. Clarke, the science fiction author of '2001: A Space Odyssey,' is likely the most internationally recognized person born on December 16. Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII, is also well-known for her role in English history.
What celebrities were born on December 16?
Notable celebrities born on December 16 include Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann, known for her work in Ingmar Bergman films and receiving two Academy Award nominations. Philosopher George Santayana and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke are also figures born on this date.
Are there any royalty or historical figures born on December 16?
Yes, Catherine of Aragon, the Spanish princess who became Queen of England as Henry VIII's first wife, was born on December 16, 1485. Leopold I of Belgium, the first King of Belgium from 1831 to 1865, was also born on this date in 1790.